SCHOEPS
TUBE MICROPHONES WITH POWER SUPPLIES
M
222AC NT 222AC
M 222DC NT 222DC
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M 222g and NT 222g with Accessories
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Thirty-five years
ago nearly everyone expected solid-state electronics to bring about the
demise of the vacuum tube. But a hard core of music aficionados has remained
faithful to the tube, citing its special properties. They realize that
digital processing gives the highest quality, at least according to currently
available measurement techniques -- but they consider all such measurements
inadequate by comparison with the educated human ear. The measurable "shortcomings"
of vacuum tube circuitry (e.g., somewhat higher seIf-noise and harmonic
distortion) are gladly accepted for the sake of a warmer, softer, more
"musical" sound -- the typical "tube sound." Sometimes
tubes are even overdriven deliberately so as to obtain the desired extra
overtones. Absolute precision in rendering the original sound is considered
less important than the overall "sonic character."
For this group
of users Schoeps has added to its product line the new tube microphones
M 222AC and M 222DC with their power supplies NT 222AC and NT 222DC. Both
components are built by elvo, a Schoeps-affiliated supplier which can
produce a small to moderate number of units at a reasonable price with
the high quality expected by our customers.
The new
approach to tube design does not merely recycle techniques from
the Sixties; rather, it unites a first-quality tube with up-to-date
circuitry. Since there is no need for a modern vacuum tube microphone
to be bulky, the dimensions of the CMC- series have been utilized.
The model designation M 222 is based on that of the legendary Schoeps
tube microphone M 221 B, though the specifications and performance
are significantly improved.
A summary
of the most important characteristics: Not only can any capsule
of the Colette Series be used, but also all the active accessories
such as the CUT, GVC, KC-, RC-, and the BLM 03 C.
The NT 222AC
power supply offers a selection of five bias settings for subtle
variations in "tube sound," coupled with an optional 48V
line driver for long cable runs. The NT 222DC supply can be either
AC- or DC-powered externally, it has a "TUBE DIRECT" switch
setting with no semiconductors in the signal path whatsoever; optionally,
a built-in solid-state preamplifier brings the output up to "line
level" in 10 dB steps. A "HARMONICS" switch alters
the Q-point of the tube, causing the gradual increase of harmonics
to set in earlier, to emphasize the typical "tube sound."
Both supplies incorporate high-pass filter switches to cope with
pickup of excessive LF energy.
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Supplied Equipment
Complete set in a lacquered
wooden storage case, consisting of:
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Tube microphone
M 222
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Microphone
cable KS 5 U, 5 m (16') length: low capacitance, gold-plated pins;
100% shielded
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Microphone
power supply NT 222
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AC cable (M
222AC) or universal mains adapter M 222DC
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Popscreen
B 5
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Clamp SG 20
MK- capsules are
to be ordered separately.
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SPECIFICATIONS
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M 222AC
/ M 222DC |
Dimensions: |
Diameter 20 mm, length
116 mm (without MK capsule) |
Connector: |
XLR-5, gold-plated |
Sensitivity: |
38 mV/Pa with MK 2 S |
Max. SPL: |
142 dB without attenuation
(THD = 0.5%) with MK 2 S |
Output: |
transformerless |
Surface finish: |
Nextel or nickel. For
an extra charge: matte red gold |
NT 222AC:
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Dimensions: |
105 mm (4") x 50
mm (2") x 140 mm (5.5") |
Input: |
XLR-5, gold-plated |
Output: |
XLR-3, gold-plated (balanced,
may be connected unbalanced without loss of level) |
Max. Output Level:
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3 Vrms into
1 kOhm |
Max. length cable: |
up to 125', 700' with
line drivers P48-powered |
Power supply: |
120 VAC, 50 Hz-60 Hz |
Switches:
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ON/OFF, FILTER 60 Hz (12
dB/oct), FILTER 150 Hz (6 dB/oct), HARMONICS (5 positions, for more
"tube sound"), UNBAL for single-ended output, ATTEN 10 dB
pad. |
LEDs:
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green: ON, yellow: HARMONICS,
red: OVERLOAD (6 dB headroom), red: P48. |
NT 222DC
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Dimensions: |
105 mm (4") x 50
mm (2") x 140 mm (5.5") |
Input: |
XLR-5, gold-plated |
Output: |
XLR-3, gold-plated (balanced,
may be connected unbalanced without loss of level) |
Max. Output Level:
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9.5 Vrms (196
dBV) into 600 Ohms (TUBE DIRECT: 3 Vrms into 1 kOhm) |
Max. length cable: |
more than 100 m (TUBE
DIRECT: 15 m) |
Power supply: |
Switching power supply
with an input for external 12 VDC @ 200 mA; supply insulated from
ground (switchable) |
Switches:
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ON/OFF, FILTER 60 Hz (12
dB/oct.), FILTER 150 Hz (6 dB/oct.), AMPLIFICATION -10 dB (TUBE DIRECT),
0/10/20/30 dB, HARMONICS (for more "tube sound"), GROUND
LIFT |
LEDs:
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green: ON, yellow: HARMONICS,
red: OVERLOAD (6 dB headroom) |
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Price: $2,499.00
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