unipoint
®
microphones
Cardioid Condenser Adapter-Mount Gooseneck Microphone
U857AL
Features
• Offers the convenience of battery or phantom power operation
• Direct mounts to any
5
/
8
"-27 stand, or to included threaded
mounting flange
• Low-profile element provides uniform cardioid polar pattern with
120º acceptance angle
• Superior off-axis rejection for maximum gain before feedback
• UniGuard
®
RFI-shielding technology offers outstanding rejection
of radio frequency interference (RFI)
• Easy-to-adjust, rugged, small-diameter, alternating gooseneck
with virtually no “memory” permits quick positioning into
desired shape
• UniSteep
®
filter provides a steep low-frequency attenuation to
improve sound pickup without affecting voice quality
• Available interchangeable elements permit angle of acceptance
from 90° to 360°
• Also available in a wireless model, U857ALcW
U857AL Description
The U857AL is a wide-range condenser microphone with a cardioid
polar pattern. It is designed for quality sound reinforcement, professional
recording, television and other demanding sound pickup applications.
The small-diameter double gooseneck design permits highly flexible
positioning while maintaining a smooth, well-contoured appearance.
The U857AL stands 421.0 mm (16.58") from the table or podium.
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 is equipped with UniGuard
®
RFI-shielding technology,
which offers outstanding rejection of radio frequency interference (RFI).
The microphone’s cardioid polar pattern provides a 120° angle of
acceptance. Additional interchangeable elements with omnidirectional
(360°), hypercardioid (100°) and UniLine
®
(90°) pickup patterns are
available.
The microphone includes a 3 m (9.8') permanently attached miniature
cable. Its free end connects to the provided AT8531 power module via a
special TA3F-type connector designed to optimize RFI immunity.
The output of the power module is a 3-pin XLRM-type 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 UniSteep
®
filter).
The roll-off position reduces the pickup of low-frequency ambient noise.
The microphone comes equipped with a power module, a mounting
flange, a cable pass-through adapter a two-stage foam windscreen,
and a battery. The microphone is enclosed in a rugged housing with
a low-reflectance black finish.
U857ALcW Description
The microphone is also available in a wireless model, the U857ALcW. The
U857ALcW includes a 0.75 m (29.5") 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 U857ALcW. The U857ALcW dimensions,
RFI-immunity, polar pattern, and included accessories are otherwise
identical to those of the U857AL.
Installation and Operation
The U857AL 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.
The provided two-stage foam windscreen simply slips over the head of
the microphone, effectively reducing wind noise or popping.
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 UniSteep
®
filter).
The roll-off position reduces the microphone’s sensitivity to popping in
close vocal use. It also reduces the pickup of low-frequency ambient
noise (such as traffic, air-handling systems, etc.), room reverberation and
mechanically coupled vibrations. To engage the UniSteep
®
filter, slide
the switch toward the “bent” line. To turn the microphone on without
engaging the UniSteep
®
filter, slide the switch toward the flat line.
Cable exit is from the bottom of the microphone. The included pass-
through adapter, designed for use with desk stands and microphone
stands, provides a side-exit for the cable.
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.
Note:
Audio-Technica has developed a special RFI-shielding mechanism,
which is an integral part of the connectors in the UniPoint
®
line. If you
remove or replace the connector, you may adversely affect the unit's
RFI immunity. Audio-Technica offers a crimp tool (ATCT) and RFI shields
that enable you to shorten the cable and correctly reinstall the connector
while maintaining the highest level of RFI immunity.
Architect’s and Engineer’s Specifications
The microphone shall be a fixed-charge condenser designed for
permanent installation or portable applications. It shall have a cardioid
polar pattern with a uniform 120° angle of acceptance and a frequency
response of 30 Hz to 20,000 Hz. It shall be capable of accepting optional
interchangeable elements for additional polar patterns. 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 133 dB (phantom) or 123 dB (battery) with a
