APEX 185 Pencil Condenser Microphone Matched Pair

APEX 185 Details ^top

The Apex185 are sold only as a matched pair and are small diaphragm pencil condenser microphones. Included are interchangeable omni directional capsules and cardioid capsules that are matched for perfect stereo imaging.

The Apex185 microphone bodies have on-board -10dB pad and low frequency roll-off switches. Ideal for use tight on drum kits and cymbals (when using the cardioid capsules), overhead on drum kits (when using the omni-directional capsules) on acoustic guitars, stringed instruments, acoustic pianos, ambient vocals and brass or woodwind sections.

The cardioid capsules are generally used for live sound reinforcement applications and recording applications where wide dynamic range and good off-axis rejection is required. The omni-directional capsules can be used where in the studio or for live recording where off-axis rejection isn't an issue, and the engineer wants to limit proximity effect or needs a wider non-directional pickup pattern.

The Apex185 has two switches on the microphone body. The -10dB pad switch allows the engineer to reduce the microphone's output when close miking high sound pressure sources like brass and woodwind instruments or when using the Apex185 on drums or percussion instruments. The low-frequency roll-off switch allows the user to reduce low frequency 'clutter' in the audio signal at the source, making for cleaner recorded tracks with increased presence and definition.

The matched pair of Apex185 come with IMC-9 shockmount cradles to better isolate the capsules when using the microphones for most delicate recording or live sound reinforcement applications.

So how do I know which polar pattern capsule to use for my application?

An omni-directional pattern will give your mic the ability to pickup sound from all directions. This is ideal for recording sounds that emanate from multiple directions, or picking up the source material as well as the natural ambiance and reverberation of a room. Omni-directional patterns also have no proximity effect, or ‘bottom end enhancement' as the source gets closer to the microphone. This makes an omni-directional pattern ideal for use recording choirs, string sections, background vocals or acoustic instruments where a natural ‘open' tone quality is preferred.

The cardioid pattern is ideal for single instrument or solo vocal use. This pattern picks up only sound directly in front of the microphone, and sounds from back and sides of the microphone are rejected. The cardioid pattern also has the most pronounced proximity effect, and best off-axis rejection.

The matched pair of Apex185 includes individual Frequency Response graphs for the microphones to verify that they are indeed matched pairs. A sturdy carrying case is also included for safe storage and transportation of the Apex185 microphones, shockmounts, capsules and windsocks.

APEX 185 Documentation ^top

Click here for manual (pdf)