Owners Manual
The ART C3 multi-pattern wide diaphragm condenser microphone is one of the most versatile
microphones available for your studio toolkit. Three selectable polar patterns, two position
low frequency roll-off and two position pad switch on the body of the microphone ensure the
ART C3 can easily be applied to virtually any recording or live application.
The ART C3 is the microphone of choice for recording critical tracks including solo vocals,
saxophones, flutes, brass or woodwinds, acoustic guitars or acoustic bass. The ART C3 excels
anywhere superior sound quality is required, yet subtlety and clarity is paramount.
Due to its rugged construction and ability to handle high SPL, the ART C3 is an outstanding
choice for live sound reinforcement or live recording applications. It can handle the levels
you’d see on an overhead mic for drum kits or in front of guitar or bass cabinets.
Controls on the microphone itself include a -6 & -12dB pad switch, allowing distortion-free
reproduction of extremely loud at-source signals, and a two position -12dB/octave low
frequency roll off at 100Hz & 200Hz that reduces unnecessary low end 'boominess' and low
frequency interference.
The included heavy-duty shock-mount suspension virtually eliminates vibration and handling
noise, while at the same time safely securing the microphone in any position needed during
the recording process.
Multi-pattern
Condenser Microphone
Canada: Yorkville Sound - 550 Granite Court, Pickering, Ontario - Canada L1W 3Y8
USA: Yorkville Sound - 4625 Witmer Industrial Estate - Niagara Falls, NY USA 14305
Multiple Polar Patterns:
A Cardioid polar pattern is the standard setting for almost all
applications. It will give you the best results on most voice and a wide
range of instruments. It offers full frequency response off of the front
of the microphone. The advantage of proximity effect (increased low
frequency response when microphone is placed close to sound
source*) and excellent noise rejection from the sides and back, or
180' position of the microphone.
The cardioid pattern is ideal for single instrument or vocal use. The
pattern picks up only sound directly in front of the mic. Sound from the
other direction is rejected. In live sound applications and remote
recording ART C3’s cardioid pattern offers excellent feedback
rejection and better isolation and will give you the best results on most
vocal applications and a wide range of solo instruments including
background brass and woodwinds, acoustic stringed instruments
(violin, viola and cello), drums and percussion. Note: The cardioid
symbol on the microphone housing denotes the 'live side', or front
face of the microphone that in all cases should face the performer.
The Omnidirectional polar pattern picks up sound equally from all
around the microphone. This is mostly used for recording ambient
sounds, or when recording in an exceptionally good sounding live
room where the character, ambiance and tone of the studio needs to
be recorded, as well as the source voice or instrument. It would also
be the ideal choice for picking up audience interaction in a live
recording situation.
The Bi-directional or Figure-8 polar pattern will hear sound from both
front and back. This is ideal for recording a solo vocal or instrument with
limited proximity effect, better off-axis rejection (limited interference
from the sides of the microphone) while still picking up room ambience
or natural reverberation from behind the microphone. It also can be
used for duet vocals or for recording harmony vocals with two vocalists.
*Vocalists can use the proximity effect to their advantage, adding fullness and more 'bottom
end' to the voice. Experienced vocalists can easily incorporate it as part of their overall
microphone technique. Again, experimentation with mic placement during the recording process
is the key. The omnidirectional polar pattern does not exhibit this effect.