Operating The C03; Powering The C03; Setting Up The Signal Level; Using The Pad - Samson C03 Owner's Manual

Operating the C03

Powering the C03

The C03 is a condenser microphone and therefore needs to be operated by connecting a
phantom power supply. Phantom power is standard on most quality mixers, outboard mic-
pres and hard disk recorders. If necessary, an external phantom supply (like the S phan-
tom by Samson Audio) can also be used. The C03 receives the phantom power directly
from a mic cable when connected to a mixer or other microphone input that includes a
phantom supply. The power is actually sent OUT of the microphone INPUT, riding silently
along with the audio signal. (Fairly mysterious, eh?) Most mixers have a switch to engage
the phantom power so be sure to check that the phantom power is on. The C03 features
a blue LED, which will illuminate when phantom power is present.

Setting Up the Signal Level

When connecting the C03 to a mixer or recorder input, be sure that the input is of micro-
phone level. Also, be sure that the phantom power is engaged as explained the previous
section "Powering the C03". Most mixers and recorders of reasonable quality will offer a
microphone input with mic trim (usually called Trim or Gain) control. The purpose of the
mic trim control is to optimize the amount of good signal to any noise associated with the
mixers electronics. A good mic pre with trim also will have a PEAK or CLIP LED. To set a
good level on the mic, set the C03 up in front of the desired sound source and slowly raise
the mic trim control until you see the PEAK LED light up. Then, turn the mix trim control
down until the LED does not light any more. On most mixers, the ideal setting is that the
trim control is turned up as much as possible without lighting the PEAK LED. If you try
turning the Gain control all the way down, and the PEAK light is still lighting, try using the
C03's PAD as explained in the following section.
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Using the PAD Switch
The C03 includes a PAD switch, which you can use
to lower the input sensitivity of the microphone.
When the PAD switch is set at the 0dB position the
PAD is bypassed and there is no effect on the sig-
nal. When the PAD switch is set to the –10dB posi-
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tion, the microphone's input sensitivity will be low-
ered by 10dB. You can use the PAD when you are
miking loud sound sources with a high SPL
(Sound Pressure Level).
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Using the Hi-Pass Filter
The C03 offers a user selectable hi-pass, or low-cut
filter, which you can use to eliminate any unwanted
low frequency reproduction. When the Hi-pass Filter
is is set to the "flat" (indicated by the straight line)
position, there is no effect on the signal. When the
Hi-pass switch is set to the "roll-off" position (indi-
cated with the angled line), a 12dB per octave low-
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cut at 100Hz is applied to the signal. This can be
extremely useful for removing low frequency stage
rumble, wind noise during outdoor use, and filtering
out lows from drums when used as overhead cymbal microphone on a drum kit.

Polar Patterns

The most important characteristic of any microphone is its directionality or "pickup pat-
tern". The C03's versatile dual capsule design is capable of producing three useful pick up
patterns; Cardioid, Omni, and Figure 8. It is easy for you to select the pickup pattern
using the C03's pattern selection switch located on the rear of the microphone. When
choosing a pattern, you should be aware of the phenomenon known as the "proximity
effect".
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