RODE Microphones K2 Manual

All RODE products are warranted for one year from date of purchase and the

warranty card or website registration facility should be used to register your

purchase.

The warranty covers parts and labour that may be required to repair the

microphone during the warranty period. The warranty excludes defects caused by

normal wear and tear, modification, shipping damage, or failure to use the

microphone as per the instruction guide.

If you experience any problems or have any questions reqarding your RODE

microphone, first, contact the dealer who sold it to you. If the microphone requires

factory-authorised service, that dealer will organise return. We have an extensive

distributor/dealer network but if you have difficulty getting the advice or assistance

you require, do not hesitate to contact us directly or contact your local distributor.

International

RODE Microphones, ABN: 91 000 576 483

Unit 2, 107 Carnarvon Street, Silverwater NSW 2128 Australia

Ph: 61 2 9648 5855, Fax: 61 2 9648 2455

USA

P.O. Box 3279

Torrance, CA 90510-3278

Ph: 877 328 7456 (Toll Free Within the U.S.) Ph: 310 328 7456, Fax: 310 328 7180

Technical Support

For information and technical support questions contact: [email protected]

In the United States and Puerto Rico, contact:

[email protected]

Ph: 877 328 7456 toll free or Ph: 310 328 7456

In Australia, contact:

[email protected]

Ph: 02 9648 5855

Anywhere except Australia, the United States and Puerto Rico, contact:

[email protected]

Australia: Ph: 61 2 9648 5855

WARRANTY SERVICE

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 2

RØDE STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONES

The K2 Instruction Guide

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 3

THE K2 VALVE CONDENSER MICROPHONE

Serial Number: ……………………………………………

Checked by: ……………………………………………

Date: ……………………………………………

We at Rode would like to thank you and congratulate you on purchasing the Rode K2.

This valve microphone represents the finest studio microphone technology currently

available. The K2 is a valve condenser design in the tradition of the classic studio

microphones. The character of the K2 sound will become immediately obvious the

first time you record with it. While we have captured the subtlety of the legendary

valve microphones, we have also made sure the noise specification and reliability is

equal to current professional recording standards.

Please take a little time to read this short manual as it will help you get the most

from you microphone.

We welcome feedback from our customers so why not drop us a line and tell us

your story.

Again, thank you for your purchase.

Peter Freedman

RODE MICROPHONES

Sydney Australia

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 4

SPECIFICATIONS

Acoustic Principle: Externally polarized 25 mm (1") condenser

Active Electronics: Valve impedance converter with bipolar output buffer.

Pickup Pattern: Multi pattern (see graph)

Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz (see graph)

Output Impedance: 200

Sensitivity: -36 dB re 1Volt/Pascal (16 mV @ 94dB SPL) +/- 2dB

Equivalent Noise: 10 dB-A SPL (per IEC651, IEC268-15)

Maximum Output: > +30 dBu (@ 1% THD into 1k )

Dynamic Range: 150 dB (per IEC651, IEC268-15)

Maximum SPL: 162 dB (@ 1% THD into 1k )

Signal/Noise: > 81 dB (1kHz relative to 1 Pa; per IEC651, IEC268-15)

Power Requirements: Dedicated Power Supply (110 ~ 120V/220 ~ 240V, 50/60Hz)

Frequency Responses

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 5

FEATURES

• New large capsule with gold-sputtered diaphragm.

• Ultra low noise.

• Wide dynamic range.

• Class ‘A’ valve circuitry.

• Hand-selected and graded 6922 twin-triode valve.

• Dedicated Power Supply.

• High strength welded and heat-treated steel mesh head.

• Durable satin nickel finish.

• Internal capsule shock mounting.

• High level of RF rejection.

• Supplied complete with SM2 Shock Mount and RC2 Custom Carry Case.

• Designed and manufactured in Sydney, Australia.

• Continuously variable polar patterns. From omni, through cardioid to figure of

eight, controlled at the power supply.

Polar Responses

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 6

ACCESSORIES

K2 Power Supply

RC2 Custom Carry Case SM2 Shock Mount

K2 Cable

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 7

BEFORE USING THE K2

• Ensure that your K2 has been set to the correct voltage as used in your country.

• The back panel of the K2 power supply has a mains input socket, a signal

ground (earth) lift, a mic input socket, a voltage selector, and a mains power

socket which also incorporates a fuse.

• The front panel of the power supply has the mains power on/off switch, and a

blue LED (light-emitting diode) to indicate power status. It also houses the rotary

control for operation of the totally variable polar patterns. (See ‘NOTE’ below).

• The K2 can be used with mains supply voltages of between either 110-120V

50/60Hz, and 220-240V 50/60Hz with the correct switch settings.

• To select for 100-110V use, set the Voltage Selector to 115V.

• To select for 220-240V use, set the Voltage Selector to 230V.

• Note: On either voltage selection the mains fuse (inside the mains socket) must

always be a T500mA slow blow fuse.

NOTE: NEVER OPEN THE POWER SUPPLY, THERE ARE NO USER SERVICABLE

PARTS INSIDE AND LEATHAL VOLTAGES PRESENT!

FOR ALL SERVICE PLEASE SEND THE UNIT TO AN AUTHORSIED RODE

SERVICE AGENT OR CONTACT RODE AT WWW[email protected]

Having ensured that the power supply is now set to the correct voltage, you can

begin to connect the K2 to its supply.

NEVER REMOVE THE MAINS EARTH Doing so can have lethal consequences

ACHTUNG: LEBENSGEFAHR! ENTFERNE NIEMALS DEN SCHUTZLEITER

NON SCOLLEGATE IL FILO DI TERRA Potrebbe essere molto pericoloso per il

rischio di scosse elettriche

RELIEZ IMPERATIVEMENT L’ALIMENTATION A LA PRISE TERRE sous risque

mortel d’électrocution

NUNCA MANIPULE LA TOMA DE TIERRA, ESTA ACCION PUEDE TENER

GRAVES CONSECUENCIAS

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 8

• Take the K2 Cable

(supplied) and connect the

male 7pin plug to the 7pin

input socket on the back

panel of the power supply.

• Connect the other end of

the cable (female 7pin plug)

to the microphone. (See

Picture). Ensure that both

these plugs are correctly

aligned and pushed firmly

into their respective sockets.

• Now connect a microphone

cable to the output socket

of the power supply taking that output into your mixer/pre-amplifier. We suggest

you use a high quality microphone cable preferably with gold-plated contacts. Use

as short a cable as is reasonable, as long cables can adversely affect sound quality.

• Ensure that the K2 is fixed securely (using the SM2 shock mount) to a stable

microphone stand. The K2 condenser microphone is a precision instrument, and

should not be dropped, banged or knocked. Take care.

• Connect the power supply to the mains supply, and you are ready to switch on

and begin using the K2.

• When you switch on the unit, the blue LED on the power supply will glow. It is

wise to allow a minute or two to ensure that the K2 is stabilised and ready for use.

• For vocal use, we recommend the use of a ‘Pop-Stopper’ wind screen, which

will help to reduce high-level plosives which are evident when ‘B’ and ‘P’

sounds are emitted within close proximity to the microphone.

• If an Earth Loop is present, (a mains frequency hum), there is a Ground Lift

switch on the back panel of the power supply which should be raised to the ‘lift’

position. This earth loop can appear when two devices which are both earthed

are connected together.

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 9

NOTE: Continuously Variable Polar Pattern

Your K2 can be adjusted to any Polar Pattern from omni, through cardioid to figure

of eight. This flexibility allows recording of most instruments and/or voices with

absolute control.

Select the preferred Polar Pattern. This is done with the circular dial (knob) on the

front of the K2’s Power Supply. (The most commonly used pattern for vocal

recording is Cardioid – dial in the 12o’clock position).

When the cardioid position is selected, the microphone picks up sound from in

front of the microphone, and rejects sound from the rear.

When in the omni position (fully anti-clockwise), the microphone picks up sound

from all around the microphone and there is less proximity effect than in cardioid

mode. (Proximity Effect is an increase in lower (bass) frequencies when the sound

source is ‘close’ to the microphone).The omni pattern is commonly used for room

(ambient) mic’ing or to record a more natural sound when close mic’ing instruments.

When in the Figure 8 position (fully clockwise), the microphone picks up sound from in

front and behind, and rejects sound from the other two sides. This pattern is commonly

used for interviews (2 people with the microphone between them) or in conjunction

with a cardioid microphone to use the MS (mid-side) stereo recording technique.

You are able to select any position between these three main settings.

For example, if you choose a setting about halfway between the omni and cardioid

positions, you will notice ‘some’ sound being picked up from the rear of the

microphone, instead of being almost completely rejected (in cardioid). This can be

particularly useful when you do in fact wish for ‘some’ sound from the rear, but not

so much as when in omni mode.

Experiment with the K2; listen to the various patterns, and decide what suits your

current application best.

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 10

Vocals

We strongly suggest the use of a ‘pop-

filter’ for ALL vocal recording. Plosives

(‘P’s, ‘B’s and ‘C’s) can produce a sudden

jet of air which can cause the capsule to

‘bottom out’ (overload) and produce a

‘popping’ sound. Pop filters help to

prevent the effects of plosives. Moisture

on the capsule can cause problems for

condenser microphones but the use of a

pop filter reduces that risk.

Placement of the microphone and pop filter are important and depend on the

volume and style of the vocalist. The best position will be determined only by

experiment but the graphic above may be considered a reasonable starting position.

The Proximity effect is experienced when close to the microphone, and that is

evident with an apparent increase in the lower (bass) frequencies. Proper

microphone technique can enable good use to be made of this effect.

E.g. Intimate or low-volume phrases can be recorded ‘within proximity’ (closer to

the microphone), and louder sections of the performance will be presented from a

greater distance. This ‘microphone control’ is of utmost importance when wishing

to give expression to a vocal recording.

Piano

To record a piano using a single

microphone that microphone should be

placed approximately 60cm (or 2’) above

the centre of the sound-board, aimed

slightly towards the front of the piano.

Single

microphone

technique

37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 11

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