Switches on my AT-3035...

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studiomaster

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I just bought a AT-3035. the mic has a Lo-cut switch and a 10dB pad. I was wondering what the functions are for these two switches..? I want to get the flattest sound possible...

the three mics that i demo'ed today were: rode NT1-A,AKG c3000b and AT-3035.c3000b sounded the worst...NT1-A sounded OK, but the AT-3035 sounded exceptionally well. very low noise, a very visible high end. i love it.
 
The low cut switch is a high pass filter that filters out low frequencies. Technically if you want completely flat, you should leave the low cut off.

The pad switch is for lowering the output of the mic. Often if you have a mic on a very loud source like close micing a snare drum, the signal will overload the console or standalone preamp even at their lowest gain settings. The pad will help in applications like this.

Best of luck!
 
I have noticed that when i change the Lo-cut switch(on and off) the background noise increases and decreases. is this normal?
 
i personally love some of the AT mics. the 4033, 4040 and 4050 and incredible mics for their price!

the low-cut will add a 12db/octave high-pass filter at 80hz, while the 10db pad will cut 10db from the source (making it quieter, use for high SPL sources). if there is a 30hz hum (or 50hz) coming from a dirty power source, this could account for the higher noise when the low-cut is off..


congrats on your new mic! i'm sure you'll enjoy it loads..
 
I'm with the loving of AT mics, I've used all the high end models and own a 4040 model......

I'd really only use the low cut filter if you getting alot of floor noise or lowend rumble. Also I've found myself only really needing the pad on the mic when I use it within 10 ft of micing drums in MS stereo. Otherwise you don't really need it, particularly. But if you do have a mic with a pad and find yourself with an extremely hot signal, always use the mic first.

I use to have a recording teach that said "if a mic's got a pad use it". I don't agree with that I've found sometimes it'll choke the hell out of the signal.
 
I'm a bit confused. The diagram/picture right above the Low cut filter switch is like a line is increasing, then its horizontal. So now, if i want to turn it off, where should it be placed? on the line increasing side or the horizontal line side?

Do you guys usually use the low cut filter?
 
studiomaster said:
I'm a bit confused. The diagram/picture right above the Low cut filter switch is like a line is increasing, then its horizontal. So now, if i want to turn it off, where should it be placed? on the line increasing side or the horizontal line side?

Do you guys usually use the low cut filter?
Click to expand...

think of that line as a visual of an equalizer. where it is horizontal, that is as 0db. Where you see it rising is in the low end of the equalizer. So it shows that the low end is rolled off and everything else is left flat. If you want to turn the low cut ON...switch it toward the..........

I just grabbed my 3035...this will be easier...to the right is with the low cut ON...it will filter out low end....to the left, low cut is off....everything is flat...
 
see the straight horizontal line is set to flat frequency response, like he said which means that if you look at a frequency response chart for that mic there will be relativly few spikes and dips in the frequency response of that mic. If you use the LOW CUT filter which I believe rolls off at 75hz the frequency response on a chart would show it cutting down at the mic, and I'm not positive but I believe there are some more spikes in the highs. There should be a diagram with the manual on the mic, that may help you see why you would need it and for that matter what excactly it is doing.

Just remember using a low cut filter almost anything that's got anytype of low end Bass, kick drum, guitar, piano, etc etc... it will effect the sound at the very low end of frequency.
 
killmachine said:
I'd really only use the low cut filter if you getting alot of floor noise or lowend rumble. Also I've found myself only really needing the pad on the mic when I use it within 10 ft of micing drums in MS stereo. Otherwise you don't really need it, particularly. But if you do have a mic with a pad and find yourself with an extremely hot signal, always use the mic first.
Click to expand...

I will often use the low cut/high pass to record rythm electric guitar amps depending on the mic. Often it will get rid of muddy bass sounds and help the guitar stand out in the mix.

Congrats on the new toy. There are few things that are more fun than playing with new equipment. (You ARE alone aren't you? :D ) Enjoy the 3035.
 
studiomaster said:
I'm a bit confused. The diagram/picture right above the Low cut filter switch is like a line is increasing, then its horizontal. So now, if i want to turn it off, where should it be placed? on the line increasing side or the horizontal line side?

Do you guys usually use the low cut filter?
Click to expand...

I just sold mine, but a great mic. The NT1a fit my needs better. Dude I would leave the low cut on. I found that the NT1a generates much less noice then the AT3035. Another good mic is the AT4033.
 
pmdiaz23 said:
I just sold mine, but a great mic. The NT1a fit my needs better. Dude I would leave the low cut on. I found that the NT1a generates much less noice then the AT3035. Another good mic is the AT4033.
Click to expand...

Well...i tried both of them out at my local store. the at3035 sounded the quietest and best(clarity wise) to me.
 
I'm recording vocals...so should i still leave the low cut on?

This means the switch should be on the right side or left?
 
one side looks like - and the other / with a slant. The slant is low cut on.

I know what you mean about the clarity of the AT, but it was too harsh on my girls voice. I actually sounded really good on that mic. The AT goes for cheap on ebay.
 
How would you explain harshness based on a mic? The AT3035 sounds exceptionally well with my voice. i used to have an Apex 435 before...god it's horrible! it sucks on all voices. so this AT was a day and night difference from the Apex.
 
yeah, the AT is awesome. But here's my deal. I bought that mic to record a few demo songs with my girl. She's done with demos at home and we recording in actual studios with "big boy mics". Now, her and I are doing VO's for broadcast. I picked up a SM7 for her and the NT1a for me, I like the sound of a condensor for my voice.
 
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