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4 - User Manual
Sputnik Features
Capsule
The Sputnik’s custom double-sided capsule is the
heart of the Sputnik mic and it’s the element primarily
responsible for the mic’s sensitivity and transparent
sound characteristics. The capsule consists of two
1-inch circular Mylar diaphragms, which we’ve
manufactured to a precise thickness of 3 microns
(or 1.18 x 10
-4
inches). The diaphragms are clamped
down along their circumference, conforming to a
tightly regulated tension spec, allowing their centers
to vibrate responsively (but with precise damping)
when acted upon by sound waves. Spaced precisely
47 microns behind the diaphragms are the backplates,
which we machined from solid brass and which
contain an elaborately configured hole arrangement
for a smooth frequency response over multiple
pickup patterns. The diaphragms each contain a layer
of 24-karat gold, distributed uniformly on their Mylar
surface using advanced evaporation techniques. All
of this is accomplished using computer-controlled
manufacturing processes in a state-of-the-art facility
to ensure exceptional consistency of quality.
Multiple Polar Pattern Selection
For maximum versatility, we designed the Sputnik
capsule to be double-sided (dual diaphragms with
back-to-back dual backplates), so you can use cardioid,
omnidirectional, and figure-8 pickup patterns at will.
Cardioid: this is the most widely used pattern
and it’s considered unidirectional because the mic
picks up signal primarily from its front side. The
backplate hole pattern is such that some sound leaks
carefully from the front to the back of the capsule
causing a precise “null” in the pickup response of
the back. This is a popular pattern because it allows
you to isolate the sound you are trying to record
as it minimizes the intrusion of room reflections
(or other nearby unwanted sounds). Importantly, in
this mode the Sputnik will exhibit a slight proximity
effect, which is a boost in the low-mid frequency
response as the sound you are capturing gets close
to the mic—i.e., within a couple of inches of the
capsule. (This characteristic, present in almost every
microphone with a unidirectional pickup pattern,
has been exploited successfully by many singers and
voice artists wanting to sound “bigger” or “deeper”
than they really are.)
Omnidirectional: as the name
suggests, the Sputnik picks up
sound equally in all directions
when using this pattern. It’s great
when you want to collect room
ambience along with the source.
The Sputnik utilizes the dual-
diaphragm design to capture two
cardioid patterns (one from each
side) and it sums them electrically
in carefully configured phase and
level combinations to create a
smooth, even response all the way
around. This pattern does not
exhibit the proximity effect.
Figure-8: this pattern allows you
to capture sound bidirectionally—
in other words, on the Sputnik’s
two opposing faces; but it has very
strong rejection of sound sources
located 90 degrees off-axis
(i.e., on the sides). This pattern
doesn’t exhibit any proximity
effect—indeed it has a very even
frequency response overall. You
can use this pattern to capture,
for example, the sounds of two
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Cardioid
Figure-Eight
Omni-Directional