RODE PodCaster Broadcast Quality USB Microphone

Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio dynamic microphone with unparalleled A/D converters, so that the microphone can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable. The Podcaster offers an end-address configuration, the clarity of RØDEʼs tailored-for-voice frequency response, an ʽONʼ L.E.D, a direct headphone amp, and of course very low self noise. The microphone comes complete with a 3M USB cable. Optional extras include a shock mounting system and soon to be released Anglepoise style table mount arm. The mic opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio—from podcasters, journalists and students to business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations. Create your own radio show, or let us do it for you, as we have even developed a website to host and broadcast podcasts for RØDE Podcaster customers. Read more about our service at rodepodcaster.com

• • Condenser microphone with USB output for digital recording

• • High quality A/D converter with 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate for superb audio

• • Headphone jack with volume control allows you to monitor the microphone signal with no delay

• • Mix control allows you to blend your microphone signal and pre-recorded audio

• • High-output internal headphone amplifier delivers superior clarity and musical detail as well as more volume overall

• • Smooth, extended frequency response ideally suited for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording and voiceover use

• • Compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X

• Tripod desk stand with folding legs for secure and easily portable tabletop use

• Uses: Music recording, voice-over, podcasting
• Capsule: Condenser
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Sensitivity: - 53 dB +/- 3 dB
• Frequency response: 50 Hz to 18 kHz
• Maximum sound pressure level: 75 dB
• Compatibility: Windows and Mac OS X, without additional driver
• Connector: Type B USB
• Headphone output: 3.5 mm (1/8“) mini jack
• Colour: Black

Broadcaster - ?The Master of the Airwaves?

Like its name suggests this R?DE microphone was specifically designed ?ON-AIR?
applications where wide frequency response and low distortion are demanded.
Winner of the Radio World/US National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) ?What?s
Cool? award in 1998, the Broadcaster has become an industry standard when studio
sound quality is required for on air applications.
Utilizing an Australian designed and manufactured R?DE 1? externally biased condenser
transducers, the Broadcaster features a switch-able high pass filter to remove low frequency
rumble. A unique ?ON-AIR? LED indicator can be switched ?on? or ?off? by shorting contacts
on the 5 pin audio connector. This feature allows console operators to warn the ?Talent?
that the mic is live. 

SPECIFICATIONS:
Features:
True condenser transducer On-Air indicator L.E.D. Ultra low noise
Cardioid polar pattern with high 180 rejection Voice tailored Low Cut
Filter Internal Pop Filter Rugged stainless steel body
Acoustic principle: Externally polarised 25mm (1?) condenser
Directional pattern:  Cardioid
Frequency range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Output impedance:  40Ω
Signal noise ratio din iec 651:
>80 dB (1kHz rel 1 Pa; per IEC651, IEC268-15)
Equvalent noise: 114 dB (per IEC651, IEC268-15)
Power supply voltage: P48, P24 phantom
Weight without battery: 577g
Weight with battery: 1.3kg
Dimensions width: 167mm
Dimensions depth: 50mm
Dimensions height: 50mm
Maximum output voltage: +2 dBu (@ 1% THD into 1kΩ)
 

Internally switchable proximity effect compensation and sensitivity reduction.

The BCM 104 condenser microphone is the first product in the new Broadcast Line,
which is especially tailored to the demands of professional radio announcing.
What sets the Broadcast Line apart is a completely independent, functionally-
optimized design derived from extensive 3D simulations.
The large-diaphragm condenser capsule used in the BCM 104 has a cardioid directional
pattern with internally switchable proximity effect compensation. A second switch allows
the sensitivity to be reduced by 14 dB.
The microphone headgrill twists off easily for quick cleaning. Neumann offers optional,
color-coded headgrills so that, for reasons of hygiene, each announcer working at an
announcing desk can use his or her individual headgrill.
Directly in front of the capsule, mounted on a frame holder, is a piece of fine gauze that
serves as a built-in popscreen.
The BCM 104 has an elastic mount against structure-borne noise, that is compatible with
standard broadcast-segment microphone arms.

Features:
Cardioid microphone for broadcast & studio
Large diaphragm condenser capsule with
switchable proximity compensation
Distinctive design
Integrated pop screen
Quick release head grille for easy cleaning
Individual head grilles available for each user

Acoustic features
The microphone headgrill houses the K 04 large-diaphragm capsule, which has a flat frequency
response up to 3 kHz. Higher frequencies have an increased presence of 2 dB maximum.
Since the above-mentioned microphone characteristics are obtained without the use of resonance
effects, the microphone features excellent transient response and transmits all transient phenomena
of music and speech without any coloration.
The integrated Pop Screen
A pop screen not only prevents the occurrence of plosive pop noises in vocal recordings, but also
efficiently prevents unwanted particles, from respiratory moisture, nicotine, to food remnants, from
settling on the diaphragm.
The pop screen can be removed for cleaning without the use of tools.

Electrical features
Instead of a transformer to couple the microphone output to the supply voltage, the BCM 104
has an electronic circuit which, like a transformer, provides for good common mode rejection.
Interference induced in the balanced modulation line is thus suppressed as usual.
With a very low self-noise of 7 dB(A), and an overload capability extending to 138 dB SPL,
the BCM 104 has a dynamic range of 131 dB (DIN/IEC 651).
Filter and Preattenuation
The BCM 104 amplifier has a linear operation down to 20 Hz. An active filter efficiently suppresses
signals below this frequency. In order to compensate for the proximity effect, a high-pass filter,
electronically activated by a switch, is built into the microphone. This filter reduces frequencies
below 100 Hz by 12 dB/octave.
A 14-dB preattenuation switch is provided in order to adjust the sensitivity, if necessary,
to transmission circuits designed for dynamic microphones. But this will increase the
self noise by 14 dB.Both switches are located inside the microphone housing, since they
will normally be operated only once, when the broadcasting facility is set up.
Mounting
The preferred mode of operation is to suspend the BCM 104 from a standard studio boom arm.
A thread adapter to fit different connector threads is included.
In order to provide protection from structure-borne noise, both the capsule and the microphone
in its mount are elastically suspended.
The optional SG 5 swivel mount allows additional angling of the BCM 104 by +/-90 degrees.

Application hint:
While designed to be an announcer's mic for broadcasting and studio, this is
just one of the most common applications. With additional experimentation,
you will gain maximum use from this microphone.

Technical Description:
Acoustical operating principle: Pressure gradient transducer
Directional pattern: Cardioid
Frequency range: 20 Hz -- 20 kHz
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm: 22 mV/Pa
-14 dB attenuation: 4.4 mV/Pa
Rated impedance: 50 ohms
Rated load impedance: 1000 ohms
Equivalent SPL CCIR 468-3: 18 dB
Equivalent SPL DIN/IEC 651: 7 dB-A
S/N ratio CCIR 468-3: 76 dB
S/N ratio DIN/IEC 651: 87 dB
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 138 dB
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% with preattenuation: 152 dB
Maximum output voltage: 10 dBu
Dyn. range of the mic. amplifier DIN/IEC 651: 131 dB
Supply voltage: 48 V +/- 4 V
Current consumption: 3.2 mA
Matching connector: XLR 3 F
Weight: 500 g
Diameter: 64 mm
Length: 85 mm