4
Spark SL includes a custom shockmount designed to isolate the microphone body from low frequency
resonance (rumble). Spark SL re48V phantom power and works great with audio interfaces,
mixers and mic most mic preamps. For best performance and to avoid damage to the microphone’s audio
components, we recommend the following procedure:• Set mic preamp gain to its nominal position (“off”).
Mute the input channel in your DAW or mixing console.
Connect the female end of your balanced XLR microphone cable to the Spark SL’s output jack.
Connect the male end to your balanced console input or balanced mic preamp input.
Switch on phantom power.
Un-mute all previously muted signal paths and adjust mic preamp gain as necessary
.
Spark SL is a cardioid mic, and is designed to reject off-axis sound arriving at the back of the capsule. Once
Spark SL is on the mic stand and powered up, make sure that the active, on-axis side of the capsule (the side
aligned with and directly above the Blue logo) is facing the desired sound source. Engage the -20dB pad if
you’re recording a loud sound source with sharp transients like a snare drum, toms, electric guitar amp, or a
powerful vocalist. Unless you’re recording a very low frequency instrument, like a kick drum or a bass amp,
it is typically good practice to engage the 100Hz high-pass filter to make sure that very low frequency and
subsonic rumble or peaks don’t compromise the headroom of your recordings.
