USB MICROPHONE USB MICROPHONE Instruction Manual USB MICROPHONE USB MICROPHONE (EMC, LVD) USB MICROPHONE Thank you for investing in the sound quality USB microphone. Podcaster, the world first broadcast Those of you who are first time customers, you may be interested to know that we are one of the largest and most respected professional microphone companies in the world. Our studio microphones are the `tone' USB MICROPHONE behind some of the biggest hits of the last decade and our award winning live performance microphones are on tour daily throughout the world. When looking and listening to our microphones many people ask "How can achieve this level of quality and performance at such reasonable prices when others can't?" The answer is simple and logical. spends millions of dollars on R&D. We have the best automated USB MICROPHONE machinery and incorporate high volume production technologies. When you invest as we do, the costs drop dramatically. We pass on these savings to our customers and have been doing this with our studio microphones since 1992. This philosophy has seen us win multiple national and international awards for performance and quality and is why stands alone in the industry for an unbeatable combination of quality performance and price. The Podcaster has been designed for any application where recorded voice clarity and direct digital connection is demanded. Designed with Podcasting as a main use, this revolutionary microphone is also perfect for adding voice-overs while editing digital video, and for the `on location' reporter who can quickly record on a laptop and then simply e-mail this to the studio for instant broadcast. Just plug in the Podcaster with the supplied USB cable, launch your recording or video editing program and begin. It is that simple. For expanded control, download the Podcaster software (available from www.rodepodcaster.com). In the following pages, you'll find a detailed description of the features of the Podcaster, as well as step-by-step instructions for its setup, and full product specifications. As a Podcaster owner you now have full access to the site www.rodepodcaster.com. This site offers hosting as well as other interesting podcasting information. If you have any questions or comments, you can log onto our website: www.rodemic.com where there are answers to frequently asked queries as well as our contact details. Peter Freedman, President of Rode Microphones USB MICROPHONE Specifications Acoustic Principle: Dynamic 28 mm USB MICROPHONE Active Electronics: Analogue signal conditioning + A/D and USB interface. Pickup Pattern: Cardioid. USB MICROPHONE Frequency Response: 40 Hz ~ 14 kHz. Sensitivity: -51 dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (2.8 mV @ 94dB SPL) +/- 3 dB Maximum SPL: 115 dB Signal/Noise: > 78 dB Analogue Output I/F: Headphone audio output for monitoring. Drives150mW into 32. Output level adjust. Digital Output Interface: USB Resolution: 18 bits Audio Control I/F: AC97 Power Requirements: Power supplied from USB port. Weight: 610g (21.5 oz) Packed Weight: 1025g (36 oz) Dimensions: Length: 215mm (8 ") Height: 56mm (2 ") Width: 52mm (2 ") 4 USB MICROPHONE Specifications cont. Frequency range: 40USB - 14kHz Hz MICROPHONE dB re 1 V./Pa 20 10 0 -10 40 Hz 100 1000 10 000 20 000 USB MICROPHONE -20 +5.0 0° 0.0 -2.0 -4.0 -6.0 -8.0 -10.0 -12.0 -14.0 -16.0 -18.0 -20.0 -22.0 -24.0 -25.0 90° 270° dB rel. 1V/Pa 180° Features · · · · · · · · · · · High quality broadcast sound. Dynamic capsule. 18-Bit Resolution, 8KHz to 48KHz sampling. Windows and Mac compatible. Tight Cardioid pattern for superior off axis sound rejection. Powered from USB Bus. Includes Microphone Stand Mount and a 3m (40") USB cable. Internal capsule shock mounting. 3.5mm stereo headphone jack output with volume control. Designed & manufactured in Australia. Full 10 year guarantee* (Conditions apply, see page 17) 5 USB MICROPHONE Podcaster layout USB MICROPHONE USB MICROPHONE STATUS LED HEADPHONE VOLUME CONTROL HEADPHONE OUTPUT LOCKING COLLAR USB CONNECTION Fig. 2 6 USB MICROPHONE Installing the Podcaster There are two ways that you can install your Podcaster depending on how much control you wish to have over your recording. USB MICROPHONE As your Podcaster is USB compliant, by simply connecting your USB cable to the microphone and your PC or MAC, you will be able to record through your Podcaster by using the standard audio interface controls in your operating system. However, ifUSB MICROPHONE you would prefer a more professional level of recording control, please read the following instructions on how to install and operate the software. This software will enable everyone from a first timer to a seasoned professional to quickly fine tune their recording environment and improve their sound. Using Podcaster on a MAC OS X using existing MAC software 1. Plug one end of the USB cable into the microphone and the other end into your USB port on the MAC. The LED will flash red and then go green to indicate that everything is functioning correctly with USB power. The MAC will recognise the USB audio device and automatically install a universal driver. Fig. 3 2. To select the Podcaster as the computer's new audio input, open the `System Preferences' from the dock or the main Apple Menu (figure 3). 7 USB MICROPHONE Using Podcaster on a MAC OS X using existing MAC software cont. USB MICROPHONE USB MICROPHONE Fig. 4 3. Next open the `Sound Preference' and click the `Input' tab and select `Røde Podcaster' (figure 4). This will allow you to use your Podcaster through the existing sound recording software on your MAC. To enhance the features of your Podcaster we recommend you install the additional software which can be download from the podcaster web site. Go to: www.rodepodcaster.com for more information. To download and install this software, please refer to the `Installing and using Podcaster software" section of this manual. 8 USB MICROPHONE Using Podcaster on a Windows XP system using existing XP software The following example is for setting up the Podcaster in Windows USB MICROPHONE XP with Service Pack 2. Other versions may vary slightly. 1. Plug one end of the USB cable into the microphone and the other end into your PC. The LED should flash red and then go green to indicate that everything is functioning correctly with USB power. The PC will recognise the USB audio device and USB MICROPHONE automatically install a universal driver. Fig. 5 2. Access `Sounds and Audio Devices' through the Control Panel. This is usually done by going to Start/Control Panel and selecting the `Sounds and Audio Devices' icon. Click on the `Audio' tab which will bring up 3 options. Under the `Sound Recording' option, you should now be able to select `Røde Podcaster' as your default device (figure 5). 3. This will allow you to use your Podcaster through the sound recording software on your PC (go to www.rodepodcaster.com for information on various recording software programs). To check that you have the Podcaster set as your recording device, go to Edit/Audio/Properties, and check that `Røde Podcaster' or `USB Audio Device' is showing up under `Sound Recording'. 9 USB MICROPHONE Using Podcaster on a Windows XP system using existing XP software cont. To adjust the recording level, click the `Volume' button under USB MICROPHONE `Sound Recording'. To enhance the features of your Podcaster we recommend you install the additional software which can be download from the podcaster web site. Go to: www.rodepodcaster.com for more information. USB MICROPHONE To download and install this software, please refer to the `Installing and using Podcaster software' section of this manual. Using Podcaster on a Windows 98 system using existing Windows software 1. Plug one end of the USB cable into the microphone and the other end into your PC. The LED should flash red and then go green to indicate that everything is functioning correctly with USB power. The PC will recognise the USB audio device and automatically install a universal driver. 2. Access `Sounds and Multimedia' through the Control Panel. This is usually done by going to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Sounds and Multimedia/Audio. This should then bring up 3 options. Under the `Sound Recording' option, you should now be able to select either `USB Audio Device' or Røde Podcaster'. 3. This will allow you to use the Podcaster through your sound recording software on your PC (go to www.rodepodcaster.com for information on various recording software programs). To check that you have the Podcaster set as your recording device, go to Edit/Audio Properties, and check that `Røde Podcaster' or `USB Audio Device' is showing up under `Sound Recording'. To adjust the recording level, click the `Volume' button under `Sound Recording'. 10 USB MICROPHONE Using Podcaster on a Windows 98 system using existing Windows software cont. To enhanceUSB MICROPHONE your Podcaster we recommend you the features of install the additional software which can be download from the podcaster web site. Go to: www.rodepodcaster.com for more information. To download and install this software, please refer to the "Installing and using Podcaster software" section of this manual. USB MICROPHONE Installing and using Podcaster software To use the Podcaster as a simple recording microphone it is merely a matter of connecting it to your computer. If you want to explore, enhance and control your recordings then we have created additional software which will allow you to do this. You can download this software free of charge from the Podcaster website (www.rodepodcaster.com). Once you have download the file to your computer, double click on the icon to get started. Your computer should automatically come up with a `Podcaster Install' window. Follow the instructions to install your new software. Once you have the Podcaster software installed you can now run the Podcaster software and setup your recording environment. When you run the software, the `Podcaster' window will appear (figure 6). Fig. 6 11 USB MICROPHONE Installing and using Podcaster software cont. The Podcaster software window contains the following information. USB MICROPHONE Recording Volume. The `Recording Volume Control' slider, (located on the left hand side of the pannel), allows you to adjust your recording level. LED Level Meter. The LED Level Meter, located on the right, visually displays the USB MICROPHONE mic's input signal. The louder the signal the more LED Level bars will light up. Mute Button. The `Mute Button', located at the bottom of the window, allows you to mute the mic's input signal when you are playing back your recordings. Getting the Sound Level Right The first step in setting up your recording environment is to get a good `Sound Level' on your equipment. This is done to ensure that you do not exceed the level of sound that your equipment can handle before it distorts the signal and at the same time, ensuring that the sound is not too low and indistinguishable. By adjusting the Recording Volume Slider you should be able to set a reasonable level very quickly. The way to do this is to set the Podcaster up in front of you and raise the slider control while you are speaking at the same level you will use when recording. The LED Level meter on your computer will show green; and then when it starts to reach its limit, orange indicators will activate. If the red indicator activates, you have exceeded the limits of the input and the signal will distort. At this stage you should turn the level control down until the indicator only lights up a steady green and the occasional flash on the orange. Your recording will now be set at a useful level. Experimentation with this will allow you to fine tune your recordings over time. 12 USB MICROPHONE Operating and Powering the Podcaster The Podcaster is powered through the USB port and eliminates any need for an extra external power source. USB MICROPHONE When the Podcaster is first connected to the computers USB port, you will notice that the light on the Podcaster will turn Red for a fraction of a second and then it will turn to green and it should stay green until you disconnect your Podcaster. The green indicates that the Podcaster is powered and active and ready to be used forUSB MICROPHONE purposes. your recording Talking into your Podcaster The Podcaster is an end address microphone. This simply means that to get the clearest sound, you must talk directly into the front of the microphone. When you are talking into the microphone you should be able to clearly see the green status LED. (Refer figure 7). The capsule in the microphone has what is classed as a `cardioid' pickup or polar pattern. This means that it will predominately pick up the sound in front of the capsule, however if the sound source was coming from the side, it would also pick up that sound, but the sound would be fa ...