Apex SP3 Studio Mic Package 3 Microphone Set

APEX APEXSP3 Details

The three microphones that make up the Apex-SP3 pack have been selected for their individual character and unique tonal qualities. This makes it the ideal solution for any highly creative recording environment needing varied and versatile microphone toolkit.

An Apex205 ribbon microphone, an Apex185 pencil condenser microphone, and an Apex415 three-pattern wide diaphragm condenser microphone complete the package. The Apex415 and Apex185 come with shockmounts, while the Apex205 comes with its integrated standmount. All of the microphones in the Apex-SP3 kit come with their individual windsocks and a convenient carrying case.

The center of the Apex-SP3 package is the Apex205 ribbon microphone. The Apex205 has been engineered to deliver the warmest and most natural sound reproduction, available only from the classic ribbon microphone design. Incredibly fast and accurate transient response and stunning realism make the Apex205 ribbon microphone ideal for today's direct to digital recordings.

Although ribbon microphones are by their nature extremely fragile, the Apex205 can handle high sound pressure levels. The low-tension 2-inch long, 2-micron thick aluminum ribbon design offers audio reproduction with smooth, natural extended low and high frequency response.

The asymmetrical figure-8 pickup pattern has an extended sweet spot on the rear face of the microphone allowing the recording to accurately reproduce the natural space and ambient reverberation of a good sounding live room.

An Apex185 small diaphragm hypercardioid pencil condenser microphone is included in the Apex-SP3 kit. The Apex185 has on-board –10dB pad and low frequency roll-off switch, and is ideal for use tight around the drum kit, on cymbals, with acoustic guitars, stringed instruments, on acoustic pianos, brass or woodwind instruments.

Completing the Apex-SP3 Studio Pack is the Apex415 wide diaphragm condenser microphone that operates in either cardioid, omni-directional or figure-8 polar patterns and has on board –10dB pad and low frequency roll off switch. The Apex415 is the ideal microphone solution for vocals, on solo strings, brass and woodwinds, acoustic guitars and upright basses or any application where subtlety and clarity is paramount and high sound pressure handling is required.

Features

* 1 x Apex205 Classic Ribbon Microphone
* 1 x Apex415 Three-pattern wide diaphragm condenser microphone
* 1 x Apex185 small diaphragm pencil condenser microphone
* 1 x Integrated Standmount for Apex205
* Shockmounts for Apex185 and Apex415
* Carrying Case and Windsocks for all three microphones

Apex205:
The microphone is the first, and arguably the most important link the signal chain. In the world where digital recording is now the most common recording media, it is more important than ever that you choose a microphone that is able to capture every subtle nuance of your source material.

The compact Apex205 has been designed with todays direct to drive digital recording systems in mind. Its classic ribbon element delivers a warm tone and the most natural sound reproduction available from virtually any style of studio microphone.

The active element of a ribbon microphone is a very thin corrugated aluminum ribbon mounted under low tension between the poles of a strong magnet. The low-tension 2-inch long, 2-micron thick aluminum ribbon used in the Apex205 offers audio reproduction with smooth, natural extended low and high frequency response, yet handles extremely fast transients accurately. Although ribbon microphones are by their nature extremely fragile, the Apex205 can handle high sound pressure levels approaching 165dB range.

The asymmetrical figure-8 pickup pattern has an extended sweet spot on the rear face of the microphone allowing the recording to accurately reproduce the natural space and ambient reverberation of a good sounding live room.

The integrated yoke mic stand mount and internal shock mount assembly protects the fragile ribbon element during use.

Apex415:

Rugged construction, high SPL handling in a compact aluminum chassis makes the Apex415 an ideal choice for a main microphone for any home or project studio. Cardioid, omnidirectional or figure-8 polar patterns are selected from integrated switches on the microphone chassis. On board –10dB pad switch and low frequency roll off switch ensure the microphone can be tailored to any application. An excellent choice for use on guitar or bass cabinets, for background vocals, on strings, brass and woodwinds, acoustic guitars or upright basses or any application where subtlety and clarity is paramount and high sound pressure handling is required. The rugged Apex415 is also the microphone of choice for live recording or live sound reinforcement applications.

The Apex415 microphone is made with a heavy-duty aircraft grade machined brass body with a durable, scratch resistant anodized finish and are shipped with a quality Apex IMC-3 "cat's cradle" style shock mount mic stand adaptor, windsock and convenient case for safe and secure storage and transportation.

Apex185:

The Apex185 are sold only as a matched pair and are small diaphragm pencil condenser microphones. Included is 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 omnidirectional 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 omnidirectional 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 apllication?

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. Omnidirectional patterns also have no proximity effect, or 'bottom end enhancement' as the source gets closer to the microphone. This makes an omnidirectional 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.

Other views of APEX APEXSP3 (Click to enlarge):

APEX SP3 MIC PACKAGE