Apex Digital 460B Owner's Manual

460B
Owner's Manual
The Apex460B tube condenser microphone is perfect for recording
both critical vocals and instruments. The dual diaphragm multi-
pattern design gives you nine different polar pattern settings to get
the perfect microphone sound for every application.
The Apex460B features dual 1-inch gold sputtered 5-micron dia-
phragms in a shockmount capsule. The 12AX7 vacuum tube pre-amp
The Power Supply & Controls
The Apex460B has nine available polar patterns, selectable from the front panel of the power
supply. Rather than limiting the user to only the three most common patterns (Omnidirectional,
Cardioid, and Figure-8 patterns), the Apex460B has three gradient stages between each of
those positions. This allows the artist and recording engineer far more versatility. In vocal
applications where an Omnidirectional pattern isn't quite 'fat' enough, but Cardioid is too
narrow, you now have three additional steps to find the right subtle mix between those two
standard patterns.
With the Apex460B you have the rare opportunity to use the proximity effect of a Cardioid, yet
still open up the microphone to hear some of the natural early reflections of a good sounding
live room.

Understanding Multiple Polar Patterns

An Omni-directional pattern will give your microphone 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 ambi-
ance 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 the
Omnidirectional polar pattern ideal for 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.
and capsule is suspended in a solid machined casing to further reduce
tube-induced noise.
The included external shock-mount suspension virtually eliminates
vibration and handling noise, while safely securing the microphone
in any position needed during the recording process.
Bi-directional or Figure-8
will hear sound from both
front and back. This is
ideal for recording a main
sound while still picking
up room ambience from
behind or duets.
The Apex460B has three gradient patterns between Omnidirectional
and Cardioid, and an additional three gradient patterns between
Cardioid and Figure-8 making for a total of nine available polar
patterns. These additional polars allow for a subtle combination
of proximity effect, off-axis rejection, overall EQ or tonal response.