Operating The Apollo/Artemis; Powering The Apollo/Artemis; Setting Up The Signal Level; Microphone Placement - ICON Legend Series User Manual

Operating the Apollo/Artemis

Powering the Apollo/Artemis

The Apollo/Artemis is a large diaphragm 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 power supply can also be used. The Apollo/Artemis 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. Most mixers have a switch to engage the
phantom power so be sure to check that the phantom power is on.

Setting up the signal level

When connecting the Apollo/Artemis to a mixer or recorder input, be sure that the input
is of microphone level. Also, be sure that the phantom power is engaged as explained
at the previous section "Powering the Apollo/Artemis". 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 Apollo/Artemis 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.

Microphone Placement

In order to maximize the sound quality, you must pay careful attention to the placement
of your Apollo/Artemis and how it is positioned for the instrument or vocalist that you
are miking. All microphones, especially unidirectional or cardioid microphones, exhibit a
phenomenon know as the "proximity effect". Very simply put, proximity effect is a
resulting change in the frequency response of a microphone based on the position of the
MIC capsule relative to the sound source. Specifically, when you point a cardioid MIC
directly at the sound source (on-axis) you will get the best frequency response, however,
when you start pointing the microphone slightly away (off-axis) you will notice the low
frequency dropping off and the microphone will start to sound thinner.
For most vocal applications you'll want to position the microphone directly in front of
the artist. The same may be true for miking instruments. However, you can make some
pretty amazing equalization adjustments by slightly changing the angle of the capsule
to the sound source. This can be a very useful technique in capturing the optimum
sound of drum set, acoustic guitar, piano or other instruments in a live room or sound
stage. Experimentation and experience are the best teachers in getting good sounds,
so plug in!
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