AKG PZM30 D Hemispherical Boundary Microphone

The PZM30 D from AKG is a Pressure Zone Microphone® designed for professional recording, sound reinforcement, and broadcasting. It has many applications, from miking full orchestras or individual musical instruments to security or teleconferencing. The capsule is mounted in the pressure zone, an area where direct sound and reflected sound are in phase, which provides a 6dB higher sensitivity.

Two selectable frequency responses (flat/rising) provide greater flexibility in mic placement and sonic character. The rising position of the frequency switch adds brilliance and a crisp attack on percussion, drums, or piano. The PZM30 D comes in a very rugged, low-profile, metal housing with detachable cable that makes it sturdy and reliable for heavy duty applications.

The PZM30 D has a switchable dual frequency response: rising (R) or flat (F). The "rising" position adds brilliance. This makes it useful wherever a crisp attack is desired, such as on percussion, drums, or piano. The user can get a bright sound without boosting high frequencies on the recording console; the result is lower noise. The "flat" position provides a smooth, flat, high-frequency response for natural sound reproduction.

These sturdy microphones are especially reliable because they can be used with a rugged detachable cable. The output is a male 3-pin XLR-type, balanced and low impedance, which permits long cable runs without hum pickup or high-frequency loss.

Like other Pressure Zone Microphones, the PZM30 D utilizes the Pressure Recording Process in which a miniature condenser microphone capsule is positioned very close to a sound-reflecting plate or boundary. The capsule is mounted in the "Pressure Zone" just above the boundary, a region where sound coming directly from the sound source combines in phase with sound reflected off the boundary. The benefits are a wide, smooth frequency response free of phase interference, excellent clarity and "reach", a hemispherical polar pattern, and uncolored off-axis response.