RODE Microphones M3 User manual

(EMC, LVD)

Instruction Manual

www.rodemic.com

- 2 -

Introduction

Congratulations on purchasing the M3

microphone.

The M3 was created to allow you to achieve the very

best results from both live performance and in the

studio.

One of the key features of the M3 is that it has been

designed with a switchable PAD and high pass ﬁlter,

which gives you greater control of the sound source.

It is battery operated to allow versatility with

locations as well as being manufactured in a sleek

contemporary black design.

Please take time to read through the manual provided

to help you get the very best from your M3.

For more information on the M3 and other

products, please visit www.rodemic.com.

Thank you for your purchase and please enjoy yet

another great product from .

Peter Freedman

Microphones

Sydney, Australia

- 3 -

Speciﬁcations

Acoustic Principle: Permanently Polarised

Condenser

Directional

Pattern:

Cardioid

Frequency Range: 40Hz ~ 20,000Hz

selectable High Pass Filter (HPF)

@ 80Hz 12dB/octave (see graph)

Output

Impedence:

200Ω

Sensitivity: -40dB ±3dB re 1V/Pa @ 1kHz

(6.3mV/Pa @ 94dB SPL)

Equivalent Noise: 21dBA SPL

(A - weighted per IEC651)

Maximum Output: +9.22dBu (@ 1% THD into 1kΩ)

Dynamic Range: 121dB (per IEC651)

Maximum SPL: 142dB (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into

1kΩload)

Signal/Noise: 73dB SPL (@ 1kHz, rel 1Pa)

Power

Requirements:

1.6mA - battery

6.5mA - 48V Phantom Power

Battery Life: >200 hours

Output

Connection:

3 pin XLR, balanced output

between Pin 2 (+), Pin 3 (-) and

Pin 1 (ground)

Net Weight: 390g (no battery)

Shipping Weight: 1,285g

Dimensions: Length - 225mm (8 3/4”)

Diameter - Ø33mm (1 5/16”)

- 4 -

Speciﬁcations

Frequency Response

Polar Responses

• Heavy duty metal body

• Internal capsule shock mount

• High level of RF rejection

• Switched high pass ﬁlter @ 80Hz-12dB/Oct

(-10 and -20dB PAD)

• Low handling noise

• Heat treated high-strength mesh head

• Battery status indicator

• 9V Battery Power and 24 - 48V phantom power

• Designed and manufactured in Australia

• Full 10 year guarantee

Features

dB re 1 V/Pa

-10

-20

-30

20Hz 100 1000 10 000 20 000

0˚

90˚ 270˚

180˚

-2.0

-20.0

-10.0

0.0

-2.0

-4.0

-6.0

-8.0

-10.0

-12.0

-14.0

-16.0

-18.0

-20.0

-22.0

-24.0 -25.0

dB rel. 1V/Pa

+5.0

Frequency:

500 Hz:

1000 Hz:

4000 Hz:–

- 5 -

Contents

M3 Microphone

Pop Shield RM3 Mic Clip

Carry Case

Powering the M3

The M3 is suitable for a wide range of

applications. Recording, stage, and location work

are all well within the capabilities of this microphone.

Its low noise and full frequency response ensure the

sound quality is at a standard that is expected by

today’s musicians and engineers.

You may use either phantom power (see Speciﬁcations

- page 3) or 9V battery to operate your M3.

Phantom power (P48 & P24)

Most professional mixing consoles include a 48 volt

phantom power supply; if yours does not, a separate

one may be used. Whichever power supply or cables

you use, ensure they are professional units and are

working correctly.

Note: When using phantom power, a battery may be

in or out; if a battery is installed it will not be utilised.

- 6 -

To connect an XLR cable;

1. Before you connect your mic, ensure that the XLR

cable you are using is wired correctly to match the

output pins on the M3. The M3 offers a balanced

microphone level output and is wired as follows:

Pin 1 (earth), Pin 2 (+) and Pin 3 (-).

Figure 1 - XLR jack

You may of course use XLR-XLR, XLR-jack, or XLR-

mini jack plugs depending on your relevant input

socket.

2. Make sure you use a high-quality, low-loss XLR

cable that is as short as practical to avoid losses

and distortion.

3. To connect the XLR cable, hold the M3 in one hand

and your 3-pin XLR cable in the other. Align the

slot on the XLR cable to the groove on the inside

of M3 body and insert (ﬁgure 2). Ensure that the

XLR cable ‘clicks’ into place so that it can not be

removed unless the release latch is used.

Figure 2 - Connecting XLR cable

XLR KEYWAY

PIN 2 (+)

PIN 3 (-)

PIN 1 (EARTH)

- 7 -

Battery power (9 volt)

If phantom power is not available on your equipment,

you will need to use battery power. To use battery

power, a 9 Volt (PP3) battery should be ﬁtted into the

cavity within the microphone body ensuring correct

polarity (+ to + and - to -).

We recommend that you use a high quality alkaline

battery. Tests have shown a life expectancy for a high

quality alkaline battery used in the M3 to be in excess

of 300 hours. This is roughly the equivalent of 6 hours

usage per week for a year.

To ﬁt the battery:

1. Unscrew the lower section of the body to reveal the

battery cavity (ﬁgure 3).

Figure 3 - Unscrewing M3 body

2. Flip open the battery clip so that it doesn’t

interfere with loading the battery.

3. Insert the battery into the cavity, inserting the non

-terminal side ﬁrst. Take note of the plus and minus

symbol on the ﬂoor of the battery cavity to ensure

the battery is positioned the correct way (ﬁgure 4).

- 8 -

Figure 4 - Inserting the battery

4. Push the battery into place so that it is parallel with

the top of the cavity. Secure the battery in place by

ﬂipping the battery clip over so that it sits on the

battery.

5. Reassemble the body, screwing lower section

ﬁrmly together with the upper section.

- 9 -

Operating the M3

The M3 may be connected to a mixer (recording or

live), and battery power will only be required if the

mixer does not have an in-built phantom P48 or P24

supply. Connection may also be made direct to a

portable DAT or other tape machine enabling ﬁeld/

location operation using the 9V battery supply.

The M3 microphone has both a PAD switch and a

Filter switch.

On/Off Filter switch

The ﬁlter switch is a multifunctional three position

switch. It will control main power (from battery),

microphone mute and ﬁlter selection (ﬁgure 5). Take

the time to learn what each position does so that you

can get the best performance from your M3.

The two-position variable

High-Pass Filter enables

you to step from a ﬂat

response to 80Hz cut.

Use the high pass ﬁlter

when you wish to remove

low frequency noise

that is not part of your

intended sound source. Remember however the

tonal characteristics will be affected by this, so it

is important that you listen to the sound both with

and without the HPF in circuit before deciding if it is

appropriate for the source.

L.E.D light indicator

The M3 has a handy power indicator light to help

notify you when the battery is running low.

L.E.D.

BATTERY POWER OFF

MIC MUTE

FLAT FILTER

HIGH PASS FILTER

Figure 5 - L.E.D. and Filter Switch

- 10 -

L.E.D. SINGLE FLASH – When the L.E.D. ﬂashes

(illuminates for around one second), the battery power

is ‘good’. This indicates that the microphone has just

been powered.

L.E.D. STAYS ON – When the L.E.D. light illuminates

continuously the battery power is getting low. Please

replace the battery as soon as possible, as the

microphone’s sensitivity is greatly compromised when

operated with a low battery.

Note: When using M3 on battery power, it is a good

idea to keep the microphone in the off position when

not in use. This will save battery power and increase

the battery life. We recommend that during long

periods of non-use the battery should be removed, as

it may leak and potentially damage the microphone.

PAD switch

The PAD setting provides a -10 or -20 dB reduction in

sensitivity and is commonly referred to as attenuation.

To access the PAD switch unscrew the lower section of

the body to reveal the switch (ﬁgure 6)

Figure 6 - PAD switch

A small screwdriver or pen can be used to alter the

switch positions as required.

A choice between 0dB, -10dB and -20dB settings can

be selected (ﬁgure 7). We recommend you start with

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