ST450 MKII Portable Microphone System User Guide Version 1.
SoundField ST450 User Guide SAFETY INFORMATION • This equipment must be EARTHED. • Only suitably trained personnel should service this equipment. • Please read and take note of all warning and informative labels. • Before starting any servicing operation, this equipment must be isolated from the AC supply (mains) by removing the incoming IEC mains connector. • Fuses should only be replaced with ones of the same type and rating as that indicated.
SoundField ST450 User Guide CONTENTS SoundField History - - - - - - 4 Introduction - - - - - - 5 How Does it Work? - - - - - - 6-7 Controls - - - - - - 8-10 - - - - - - 11 - - 12 Surround Post-Production: Part One: The Surround Zone Software - 13 Surround Post-Production: Part Two: The SP451 Surround Processor - 14 Rechargeable Battery Procedure - - - - - 15 Warranty - - - - - - - 16-17 Wiring Details - - - - - - - 18-19 Technical Sp
SoundField ST450 User Guide SOUNDFIELD HISTORY In 1933, British scientist Alan Blumlein was issued a patent that stands today as a landmark in the development of stereophonic recording and reproduction. Among its numerous declarations, it defined the basis for all coincident microphone techniques, including the Mid/Side and crossed bidirectional configurations. (The latter, in fact, is commonly referred to as a “Blumlein Stereo” pair.
SoundField ST450 User Guide INTRODUCTION The ST450 MKII Portable Microphone System has been specifically developed for location recording and in the design process both the microphone and control unit have been considerably ‘downsized’ in comparison to all other previously available SoundField models.
SoundField ST450 User Guide HOW DOES IT WORK? SoundField B-Format The SoundField Four Capsule Array The capsules are placed tightly together to eliminate the phase problems associated with ‘spaced’ multi-microphone set-ups. From a single point source sound is received from all directions, reproducing a realistic listening experience.
SoundField ST450 User Guide B-Format is three dimensional acoustical information and consists of three figure of eight polar patterns called X, Y and Z plus one omni called W. X gives Front to Rear depth information, Y gives Left to Right horizontal information and Z gives vertical height information. From the omni W sub-bass (LFE) is extracted. B-Format Illustration SoundField are the only microphones in the world that generate B-Format.
SoundField ST450 User Guide CONTROLS 1 3 8 9 4 6 2 5 7 1. LED Bargraph 8 segment LED bargraph meter displays the mic level over a range of -30dB to +12dB and has a peak hold function. 2. Gain A switched gain control adds further gain to the microphone in 3dB steps. There are 14 steps with a total of 42dB available. A switch has been selected in preference to a potentiometer to provide excellent level matching of the four capsule signals. 3.
SoundField ST450 User Guide 4. Invert The Invert mode maintains the correct three-dimensional perspective in both surround and stereo when the microphone is suspended upside down above the sound source. ( ) Not selecting this mode with the mic suspended will result in the Left/Right width information and Up/Down height information being reversed. It is important to document the status of the Invert switch when making B-Format recordings for later post production. 5.
SoundField ST450 User Guide SIDE PANEL INPUT/OUTPUT CONNECTORS 2 3 4 1 1. MIC INPUT Lemo 12 pin female panel mount connector. 2. STEREO OUTPUT Left/Right stereo analogue balanced line outputs on a single 5-pin XLR connector. (Pin 1 = ground, Pin 2 = + (positive) and Pin3 = - (negative). A 5-pin to 2 x 3-pin XLR breakout cable is provided (part NN3104). 3. B-FORMAT OUTPUTS W, X, Y & Z analogue balanced line level outputs on two 5-pin XLR connectors (see page 22 for wiring details).
SoundField ST450 User Guide ST450 SHOCKMOUNT The ST450 shockmount is supplied as standard (part HW3010) and is ideally suited for vibration isolation in indoor environments.
SoundField ST450 User Guide RECORDING B-FORMAT FOR SURROUND POST-PRODUCTION The ST450 shares many of the features of the other SoundField systems, but is unique in that it can record full surround without mains power. The ST450 will run from any DC source between 10V and 18V capable of providing 7W. For example, a 14.4V, 2.4Ah battery will provide approximately 3 hours of operation.
SoundField ST450 User Guide SURROUND POST-PRODUCTION PART ONE: THE SOUNDFIELD SURROUNDZONE2 SOFTWARE The SoundField SurroundZone2 software brings all the benefits of SoundField Technology to the post-production domain. The plug-in is designed to accept the four BFormat signals (W, X, Y & Z) generated by the ST450 and will then decode it to Stereo or a wide range of Surround Formats.
SoundField ST450 User Guide SURROUND POST-PRODUCTION: PART TWO THE SOUNDFIELD SP451 SURROUND PROCESSOR B-Format playback from Portable Recorder In this configuration the ST450/SP451 combination will deliver six discrete channels of 5.1 surround sound. The SP451 offers a rugged 1U rackmount hardware alternative to the Surround Zone software. It is favoured by those wishing to bypass DAW’s and commit up to eight tracks of surround sound directly to digital recorders ‘live’ as the performance takes place.
SoundField ST450 User Guide RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PROCEDURE FOR ST450 (See Accessories on pages 25-26, part no. ST450/BATT-KIT) CHARGING INSTRUCTIONS 1. Place the battery in the correct direction and make sure that the battery is fitted tightly into the charger and the metal points. 2. Connect the charger with the supplied power supply. 3. The indicator shows “Red” when the battery is charging and “Green” when the battery is fully charged. 4. Unplug the charger before taking out the battery.
SoundField ST450 User Guide WARRANTY Limited Liability SoundField Ltd., herein after known as the manufacturer, guarantees this equipment from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year. This guarantee extends to the original purchaser only and does not apply to fuses or any product or parts subjected to misuse, neglect, accident or abnormal conditions of operation.
SoundField ST450 User Guide Claim for damage during transit All products should be thoroughly inspected immediately upon delivery. If there is any damage to the product a claim should be filed with the carrier immediately. A quotation to repair shipment damage can be obtained from SoundField Ltd. Final claims and negotiations with the carrier are the responsibility of the customer. Repair process and how to return your goods In the first instance you should contact support using the contact details above.
SoundField ST450 User Guide 5-PIN FEMALE TO 2 x 3-PIN MALE XLR WIRING DETAILS (Stereo and B-Format Output Cables) 5-Pin XLR Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5 - 3-Pin XLR Ground Pin 2 of W or Y or Left Pin 3 of W or Y or Left Pin 2 of X or Z or Right Pin 3 of X or Z or Right 4-PIN POWER CONNECTOR WIRING DETAILS Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Wiring Details - GND GND +VC +VC Page 18
SoundField ST450 User Guide 12 PIN CONNECTOR WIRING DETAILS FOR MIC CABLES 12 Pin Male Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 7 Pin 8 Pin 9 Pin 10 Pin 11 Pin 12 12 Pin Female - LB (+) LB (-) RB (+) RB (-) RF (+) RF (-) LF (+) LF (-) Voltage GND -V +V Signal GND - Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 7 Pin 8 Pin 9 Pin 10 Pin 11 Pin 12 SOUNDFIELD COLOUR CODING Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 7 Pin 8 Pin 9 Pin 10 Pin 11 Pin 12 - White Purple Grey Pink Green Yellow Red Blue Black Brown Oran
SoundField ST450 User Guide TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS (+/- 1dB) Microphone acoustic line up at 0dB gain Maximum input for less than 0.
SoundField ST450 User Guide ST450 Accessories Part No.
SoundField ST450 User Guide ST450 Accessories Part No.
