Crown PZM-6D User Manual

PRESSURE ZONE
MICROPHONE

®

T

he PZM-6D is a Pressure Zone Microphone
designed for professional recording, sound
reinforcement, teleconferencing and broad-

casting. Its low profile, unobtrusive appearance
is appreciated in conference rooms, as well as
on television, film and video productions. When
suspended over an orchestra on a clear panel,
the PZM practically disappears. Its miniature,
permanently attached cable also reduces visual
clutter.

The PZM-6D has a switchable dual frequency
response: rising or flat. The “rising” position
adds brilliance. This makes it useful wherever a
crisp attack is desired, such as on percussion,
drums or piano. The user can get a bright sound
without boosting high frequencies on the re-
cording console; the benefit is lower noise. The
“flat” position provides a smooth, flat high-fre-
quency response for natural sound reproduc-
tion.

Capable of withstanding up to 150 dB SPL with-
out distortion, the PZM will never overload in
practical use. Its electret condenser capsule
provides a wide, smooth frequency response
from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Self noise is low, and
sensitivity is high enough to override mixer
noise in distant-miking applications.

Like other Pressure Zone Microphones, the 6D
utilizes the Pressure Recording Process™ in
which a miniature condenser microphone cap-
sule is arranged very close to a sound-reflecting
plate or boundary. The capsule is mounted in the
“Pressure Zone” just above the boundary, a
region where sound coming directly from the
sound source combines in phase with sound
reflected off the boundary. The benefits are a
wide, smooth frequency response free of phase
interference, excellent clarity and “reach,” a
hemispherical polar pattern and uncolored off-
axis response.

Operating Instructions
The PZM-6D features self-contained electronics
in the attached XLRM connector housing, which
allows it to plug directly into a standard 12-48
VDC phantom power supply.

Crown makes an AC-powered model PH-4B
supply for powering up to four PZMs. Also avail-
able is a single-channel AC/battery supply,
Crown model PH-1A. For special applications,
you can make your own battery supply as sug-
gested in Fig. 3.

Using 2-conductor shielded microphone cable,
plug the microphone into a phantom power sup-
ply. Connect the power supply output to a

Specifications

Type:  Pressure Zone Microphone.

Transducer:  Electret condenser.

Frequency response:  20 Hz to 20 kHz. See Fig. 1.

Polar pattern:  Hemispherical when used on a floor,

wall or ceiling.

Open circuit sensitivity:  7 mV/Pa* (–43 dB re 1

volt/Pa).

Power sensitivity:  –43 dB re 1 mW/Pa. EIA sensitiv-

ity:  –135 dBm.

Impedance:  240 ohms, balanced. Recommended

minimum load impedance 1000 ohms.

Self-Noise:  20 dB equivalent sound pressure level,

A-weighted.

S/N ratio:  74 dB at 94 dB SPL.

Maximum Sound Pressure Level:  150 dB SPL at the

microphone produces 3% THD.

Polarity:  Positive pressure on the diaphragm pro-

duces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin
3 of the output connector.

Operating voltage:  Phantom power, 12-48 volts DC,

positive voltage on pins 2 and 3 with respect to pin
1 of the output connector.

Current drain:  1.1 mA.

Cable:  Permanently attached 15-foot (4.58-m) black

cable with an XLRM connector.

Switch:  Frequency-response select switch for rising

or flat response.

Color:  Black.

Dimensions:  3-in. x 2.5-in. x .375-in. (7.62-cm x

6.35-cm x .95-cm). See Fig. 2.

Included accessories:  PZM windscreen, carrying

pouch.

Optional accessories:

PH-4B phantom power supply

(4 channels, AC powered). PH-1A phantom power
supply (1 channel, battery or AC-adapter pow-
ered).

* 1 pascal = 10 dynes/cm

2

 = 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Frequency in Hz

      Legend  ––––––––––  RISING

      - - - - - - - - -   FLAT

Low frequency response depends on size of surface.

–20

–25

–30

–35

20

100

1K

+15

+10

+5

dB

 0

–5

–10

–15

10K

RISING

FLAT

3"

2.5"

.375"

2.5"

.750" DIA.

FLAT

RISING

3.8" 

®

PZM

-6D

3 in.

(7.62 cm)

2.5 in.

(6.35 cm)

2.5 in.

(6.35 cm)

.375 in.

(0.95 cm)

.750 in.

(1.91 cm)

DIA.

3.8 in.

(9.65 cm)