Welcome to the wonderful and harmonious world of the Worker Bee. The Worker Bee, Apis myriadalis, is a newly discovered microphone species that is striking in appearance, sonic quality, and unmatched audio reproduction. A proud member of the Cardiodium genus of Bee recording tools, its lineage traces back to the finest microphones ever created for studio, stage, film, and broadcast.
scientific nomenclature Species Native Range Preferred Habitat Apis myriadalis Worldwide Professional and home recording studios, broadcast centers, houses of worship, clover Description The Worker Bee has a fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized 24mm diameter condenser capsule. Morphology The Worker Bee’s very low noise rating (>7.0 dB) and high output make it the perfect choice for ultra-high resolution digital recording.
technical specifications Transducer Type: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized 24 mm diameter condenser capsule Polar Pattern: Cardioid S/N Ratio: 79.0 dB-A (IEC 651) Noise Level: 9.5 dB-A (IEC 651) Dynamic Range: 135.5 dB (@ 2.5k ohms) Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Sensitivity: 19.0 mV/Pa at 1 kHz (1 Pa = 94 dB SPL) Output Impedance: 50 ohms Transformer Output Power Requirement: +48V DC Phantom Power (IEC 268-15) Weight: 15.
care & feeding The Worker Bee’s minimal distortion and coloration are ideal for recording vocals, drums, electric guitar, piano, and most acoustic instruments, including complex sources like saxophones, flutes, and strings. What you hear at the input is what you get at the output, so the Worker Bee will quickly become one of the most useful—and busy—mics in your hive.
Notch aligns with neck of mic it with the microphone’s stem/neck. Apply gentle pressure to snap the Honeycomb into place. The Beeline microphone cable (sold separately) provides the best possible signal transfer from mic output to preamp input. The “quad” design uses four internal strands, configured as spiraled pairs to reduce common mode noise (e.g., hum and other interference).
pollination So let’s get started! Here’s a swarm of Tricks & Tips to help you get the most out of your Worker Bee. Part of the joy—and challenge—of recording instruments is that they each have unique personalities, so a placement strategy that works for one instrument may not work so well for another. Often, even a small adjustment to the mic’s angle or distance from the source can make a world of difference in the results. We’ll provide you with some starting points, but don’t feel limited.
Acoustic Guitar Acoustic guitars can be tricky, but here the Worker Bee reigns supreme. Its shimmering high end adds life and air to bring out the guitar’s “sparkle.” Each guitar is different, but the “sweet spot” is usually near where the neck and body join (around the 12th – 14th frets). For maximum presence, start with the mic close to the guitar—about 3 or 4 inches (7 - 10 cm).
12 inches (15 - 30 cm). Upright basses vary a great deal in personality, so finding the “sweet spot” on your instrument may take some exploration—but your Worker Bee will get you there. Drums & Percussion The Worker Bee’s slim profile and fast transient response make it a perfect choice for drums and percussion. For drum kits, congas, djembes, or other hand drums, begin by placing the microphone just inside the rim 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) above the head.
the bee family king bee worker bee bumblebee beecaster beehive beestro high notes. For a mellower sound, orient the capsule toward the floor to emphasize the sax’s low range and tame the biting upper mids that project straight out of the bell. With all woodwinds, avoid aiming directly down the bell—this makes the lowest notes “honk.” For flute, start by placing the Worker Bee 2 feet (60 cm) in front and above the middle of the instrument.
neatmic.com warranty This Microphone or related part is warranted under the conditions outlined below to its original, registered owner, provided the purchase was made from an authorized (NEAT) dealer. This Microphone or related part is guaranteed to remain free from operating defects for three (3) years from the date of purchase. In the event that service is required, all necessary parts and labor will be furnished free of charge.