ATM73a

Cardioid Condenser Headworn Microphone

artist series live sound microphones

Features

• Ideal for drummers, keyboard players, guitarists or anyone

requiring hands-free operation

• Comfortable, unobtrusive headband design with side-of-mouth

pickup

• Belt-mounted power module operates on battery or phantom

power

• Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides

and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source

• Rugged design and construction for reliable performance

• Switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter minimizes pickup of undesired

low-frequency sounds

• Also available in two additional versions (without power module)

ATM73cW—cable terminated for A-T UniPak ® wireless systems

ATM73ac—unterminated cable

ATM73a Description

The ATM73a is a headworn condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. It is designed for use by performing musicians and others who require professional-quality vocal pickup with hands-free operation.

The microphone requires 11V to 52V phantom power or a 1.5V AA battery for operation. A battery need not be in place for phantom power operation.

The microphone’s cardioid polar pattern provides a 120° angle of acceptance.

The microphone includes a 1.4 m (4.6') permanently attached miniature cable. Its free end connects to the provided AT8531 power module via a

TA3F-type connector. The output of the power module is a 3-pin XLRMtype connector.

A 3-position switch in the power module permits choice of off, on/flat response or on/low-roll-off (via integral 80 Hz high-pass filter). The roll-off position reduces the pickup of low-frequency ambient noise.

The microphone comes equipped with a power module, two windscreens and a battery.

ATM73cW Description

The microphone is also available in a wireless model, the ATM73cW. The

ATM73cW includes a 1.4 m (55") permanently attached miniature cable terminated with a locking 4-pin connector for use with Audio-Technica

UniPak ® body-pack transmitters. No power module or battery is included

(or required) with the ATM73cW. The ATM73cW dimensions, polar pattern, and included windscreens are otherwise identical to those of the ATM73a.

The ATM73cW is also available unterminated as the ATM73ac.

Operation and Maintenance

The ATM73a requires 11V to 52V phantom power or a 1.5V AA battery for operation. A battery need not be in place for phantom power operation.

To install the battery, remove the cap from the top of the power module.

Insert a fresh 1.5V AA battery (“+” end toward the cap release button), then reassemble the power module. For longest battery life, the switch should remain off except when the microphone is in use. Alkaline batteries are recommended for longest life. Remove the battery during long-term storage.

Output is low impedance (Lo-Z) balanced. The signal appears across Pins

2 and 3; Pin 1 is ground (shield). Output phase is “Pin 2 hot”— positive acoustic pressure produces positive voltage at Pin 2.

A 3-position switch in the power module permits choice of off, on/flat response, or on/low-roll-off (via integral 80 Hz high-pass filter). The roll-off position reduces the pickup of low-frequency ambient noise (such as traffic, air-handling systems, etc.), room reverberation and mechanically coupled vibrations. To engage the high-pass filter, slide the switch toward the “bent” line. To turn the microphone on without engaging the highpass filter, slide the switch toward the flat line.

For maximum stability and minimum visibility, the headband should be worn around the back of the head, with each cushioned support pad resting on the temple in front of the ear. The cable should remain clipped to the headband, with some slack at the boom connection. The headset is designed so the microphone descends from the left support pad.

After use in high-moisture applications, such as aerobics instruction, on-stage performing, etc., remove the foam screen, wipe off the headset with a towel and permit them to air-dry. (Do not store in a closed space, such as a plastic bag, until all moisture has evaporated.)

Avoid leaving the microphone in the open sun or in areas where temperatures exceed 110° F (43° C) for extended periods. Extremely high humidity should also be avoided.

Architect’s and Engineer’s Specifications

The microphone shall be a fixed-charge condenser designed for headworn use. It shall have a cardioid polar pattern with a uniform 120° angle of acceptance and a frequency response of 40 Hz to 15,000 Hz.

The microphone shall operate from an external 11V to 52V DC phantom power source or, alternatively, from a 1.5V AA/UM3 battery. It shall be capable of handling sound input levels up to 146 dB (phantom) or

132 dB (battery) with a dynamic range of 111 dB (phantom) or 97 dB

(battery). Nominal open-circuit output voltage shall be 1.7 mV (phantom) or 1.5 mV (battery) at 1 V, 1 Pascal. Output shall be low impedance balanced (200 ohms – phantom, 270 ohms – battery).

The microphone shall have a 1.4 m (4.6') permanently attached miniature cable, terminating in a TA3F-type output connector. The output connector shall connect to a TB3M-type jack on the included power module. The power module shall house the battery, and shall contain a switch that permits choice of off, on/flat response or on/low-roll-off (80 Hz). The output of the power module shall be a 3-pin XLRM-type connector.

The microphone shall be a headworn design with an element diameter of

10.0 mm (0.39"). Weight shall be 31 grams (1.1 oz). The microphone shall include a power module, two windscreens and a battery.

The microphone shall also be available in a wireless model with a

359

ATM73a

1.4 m (55") permanently attached miniature cable terminated with a locking 4-pin connector for use with Audio-Technica UniPak ® body-pack transmitters. No power module or battery shall be required or included with the wireless model. The wireless model dimensions, polar pattern and included windscreens shall be identical to those of the wired model.

The wireless model shall also be available unterminated.

The Audio-Technica ATM73a [ATM73cW-wireless]; [ATM73ac-unterminated] is specified.

Specifications

Element

Polar pattern

Frequency response

Low frequency roll-off

Open circuit sensitivity

Impedance

Maximum input sound level

Dynamic range (typical)

Signal-to-noise ratio 1

Phantom power requirements

Battery type

Battery current / life

Switch

Weight

Dimensions

Output connector

Cable

Audio-Technica case style

Accessories furnished

Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser

Cardioid

40-15,000 Hz

80 Hz, 18 dB/octave

Phantom:–55 dB (1.7 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa

Battery: –56 dB (1.5 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa

Phantom: 200 ohms

Battery: 270 ohms

Phantom: 146 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.

Battery: 132 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.

Phantom: 111 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL

Battery: 97 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL

59 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa

11-52V DC, 2 mA typical

1.5V AA/UM3

0.4 mA / 1200 hours typical (alkaline)

Off, on-flat, on-roll-off

Microphone: 31 g (1.1 oz)

Power module: 139 g (4.9 oz)

Microphone: 10.0 mm (0.39") diameter

Power module: 84.0 mm (3.31") H x

63.0 mm (2.48") W x 22.0 mm (0.87") D

Headset: 165.0 mm (6.49") nominal at widest point, 67.0 mm (2.64") flexible boom

Power module: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type

1.4 m (4.6') long (permanently attached to microphone), 2.6 mm (0.10") diameter,

2-conductor shielded cable with TA3Ftype connector

M5

AT8531 power module; AT8128 windscreen; AT8125 windscreen; battery

In the interest of standards development, A.T.U.S. offers full details on its test methods to other industry professionals on request.

1 Pascal = 10 dynes/cm 2 = 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL

1 Typical, A-weighted, using Audio Precision System One.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

frequency response: 40–15,000 Hz

10 dB

50

LEGEND

100 200 500 1k 2k

Frequency in Hertz

12" or more on axis

Roll-off polar pattern

0˚

330˚ 30˚

300˚ 60˚

5k 10k 20k

270˚ 90˚

240˚

120˚

210˚ 150˚

180˚

SCALE IS 5 DECIBELS PER DIVISION

LEGEND

200 Hz

1 kHz

5 kHz

8 kHz

Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, Ohio 44224

Audio-Technica Limited, Old Lane, Leeds LS11 8AG England

©2010 Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. audio-technica.com 0001-0164-01