STRAY
MAGNETIC
FIELDS
Ribbon microphones are fundamentally prone to picking up strong
external magnetic fields caused by light dimmers or nearby power
transformers. Guitar players will know this phenomenon from single-
coil pickups. Even though much attention was paid
to suppressing such sensitivity to external magnetic fields in
the design of your microphone, it is still possible that you might
encounter this problem. If you should pick up a hum, try rotating or
moving the microphone to find a spot where the hum disappears,
and try eliminating potential sources of stray magnetic fields. You
can use the microphone to find where hum is originating. Rotate the
mic for maximum interference and move it back and forth to sense
its direction.
The high-performance magnets used in AEA microphones are
incredibly strong, and a significant amount of stray magnetic field
lines surround the microphone. Avoid placing the microphone in
close proximity to hard drives, credit cards, analog tape, or any other
magnetically sensitive items to prevent any data loss.
MICROPHONE POSITIONING
Always use a sturdy microphone stand. While the R84 was designed
to work well with all standard microphone stands, a high-quality
boom stand will make your life a little bit easier. Mounting the
microphone on a strong, sturdy microphone stand with a heavy base
(or tripod) is essential. If you are using a boom, make sure that it is
properly balanced and that the tripod legs are positioned
appropriately to prevent tipping.
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