Samson VR88 owner manual Setting Up the Signal Level, Popping

Operating the VR88

For most vocal applications you’ll want to position the microphone directly in front of the artist. The same may be true for miking instruments, however, you can make some pretty amazing equalization adjustments by slightly changing the angle of the capsule to the sound source. This can be a very useful technique in capturing the optimum sound of a drum set, acoustic guitar, piano or other instru- ments in a live room or sound stage. Experimentation and experience are the best teachers in getting good sounds, so plug in! For more information on microphone placement, see the section, “VR88 Applications” later in this manual.

Setting Up the Signal Level

When connecting the VR88 to a mixer or recorder input, be sure that the input is of microphone level. Also, be sure that the phantom power is engaged (as explained the previous section “Powering the VR88”). Most mixers and recorders of reasonable quality will offer a microphone input with mic trim (usual called Trim or Gain) control. The purpose of the mic trim control is to optimize the amount of good signal to any noise associated with the mixers electronics. A good mic pre with trim also will have a PEAK or CLIP LED. To set a good level on the mic, set the VR88 up in front of the desired sound source and slowly raise the mic trim control until you see the PEAK LED light up. Then, turn the mix trim control down until the LED does not light any more. On most mixers, the ideal setting is that the trim control is turned up as much as possible without lighting the PEAK LED.

P-Popping

P-Popping is that annoying pop that you can get when the microphone diaphragm gets a blast of air from a vocalist pronouncing words with the letter “P” included. There are a few ways to deal with the problem including using an external pop filter. Some famous engineers have relied on an old nylon stocking stretched over a bent clothes hanger, which actually works very well, but can be a little smelly. You can also try placing the microphone slightly off axis (on a slight angle) from the vocalist. This can often solve the problem without using an external pop filter. However, on the VR88 or any ribbon microphone, use of an external pop filter like the Samson PS01 is strongly recommended.

VR88 Active Velocity Ribbon Microphone 9