Bottle Manual - Amazon Web Services
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1. clockwise twist on the stem so that the pin locks into the short leg of the slot and holds the capsule securely You will notice that the stem pivots back and forth over a range of about 45 degrees to aid in placement and angling of the capsule When exchanging capsules there is no need to turn off the Power Stream power sup ply A low level audio signal is present whenever a capsule is removed so it is good engineering practice to mute or turn down the microphone preamp gain and monitors before changing capsules Capsule Selection Individual commentaries on each capsule are provided by Myles Boisen Recording and Mastering Engineer BO CARDIOID LARGE DIAPHRAGM SINGLE BACKPLATE The Ultimate Big Vocal Sound This capsule exhibits lots of cutting power and airy response and is particularly useful for an enhanced pop music vocal presence requiring extended highs and lows Along with the B5 this is Blue s brightest capsule but it also offers dramatic low end pickup like the B4 and B2 The BO delivers a larger than life sound that expands on the tonality of the B6 and B7 capsules with a more open pick up pattern and less rear rejection RECOMMENDED FOR Background and lead vocals voice overs distant miking of acoustic guitar or man dolin percussion any source where extended top end is featured B1 CARDIOID SMALL DIAPHRAGM The Accuracy Plus Capsule found the Bl s most notable characteristics to be sweet highs abundan2. then turn on the Power Stream to start the warm up process At the end of a session be sure to turn off the Power Stream power supply before disconnecting the Champagne cable Capsule Exchange When you re used to dealing with an assortment of tube microphones each with its own mounting system and power supply not to mention additional voltage transformers fragile parts and other quirks you ll really appreciate the simplicity and ease of the Bottle capsule system Switching capsules is a painless 30 second operation which eliminates downtime and warm up time and will never interrupt the flow of a session To secure the delicate capsule during transport and storage three brass transit screws are provided located around the outer ring of the spherical grille The capsules will perform better with these screws removed and it is not necessary to reinsert them after every session only when shipping the capsules Care should be taken with their re insertion do not over tighten them Installing a capsule is asimple three step operation First position the capsule over the metal stem at the top of the Bottle aligning the J shaped slot at the back of the capsule socket with the protruding pin on the stem Second push the capsule down onto the stem until the pin stops at the end of the long leg of the slot There is a strong spring inside the capsule socket so a little extra effort may be required at this stage Third give the capsule a
3. this capsule is the perfect complement for midrangy or thin voices as well as any rock soul blues jazz vocals that need to sit in the mix RECOMMENDED FOR Lead vocals background vocals saxophone flugelhorn clean or distorted electric guitar pedal steel and slide guitar organ conventional jazz recording Overview of The Vocal Capsules First and foremost the three Blue large diaphragm vocal capsules BO B6 B7 have been designed to provide the commanding upfront presence associated with the world s best and most expensive vocal microphones With shimmering detailed highs smooth midrange response and controlled proximity effect a bass boost inherent in all unidirectional mics these capsules excel at delivering a vocal right to the front of the mix where it belongs When processed with limiting and or compression as is standard practice for most pop productions vocal tracks will generally be free of pumping and low end thumps Acoustic guitar hand percussion drums and other critical high end sources also shine in front of these capsules gaining an extra measure of air The extreme presence of the Blue vocal capsules enables the most delicate instrumental sounds to cut through a mix even when recorded at distances of three feet or more and mixed at very low levels Recording and Capsule Applications VOCALS Here s a little known secret vocalists love singing into unique and impressive mics And in addition
4. to their classic good looks the Bottle large diaphragm vocal capsules BO B6 B7 were developed especially to enhance the airiness and detail in any voice while diminishing the proximity induced lows which can cloud a mix or produce compression artifacts Put them in front of any singer and you are guaranteed to get a 110 inspired performance that sits perfectly in the mix with little or no additional equalization These capsules are also outstanding for narration and voice over work The B3 capsule is an excellent choice for vocalists who don t require a built in microphone presence boost especially female singers For vocalists that are indistinct soft spoken or don t provide sufficient intelligibility on a large diaphragm microphone the B1 capsule is highly recommended And for ballad crooners and a variety of historical vocal styles there is nothing like the warm Bing Crosby sound provided by the B2 For a big vocal sound with maximum presence get the vocalist within one to three inches of the capsule There is no need to worry about overloading the microphone capsule but be sure to use a mesh windscreen or pop filter to protect the diaphragm at this distance Tilt the capsule stem up toward the forehead for more projection and head tone straight on at the mouth for maximum brightness and intelligibility or down toward the chest for more robust lows and smoother highs ACOUSTIC GUITAR The transparency and superb t
5. by placing the capsule two to six inches in front of the lip of the bell Turn the capsule up toward the mouthpiece or raise the microphone above the bell to capture more air brightness and high notes For a mellower sound rotating the capsule toward the floor emphasizes the low range of the sax and tames the biting upper mids that project straight out of the bell particularly on alto saxophone BRASS All members of the brass family need to be miked from in front of the bell But for studio recording it is not necessary to aim the microphone capsule right down the center of the bore or place it too close The trumpet with its directional characteristics high sound pressure level and limited frequency range will yield a clear cutting tone at distances ranging from six inches to two feet The trombone and tube can be approached similarly although closer miking toward the outer edge of the bell 4 to 8 inches will help to offset a thin or overly bright timbre Capturing a mellow rounded tone is a challenge with any brass instrument To avoid buzzy highs and transient overloading persuade the player to blow at less than peak stage volume and use a large diaphragm capsule such as the B2 B3 or B7 Cornet and flugelhorn usually have a softer more intimate sound are played at lower volume and can be miked at a distance of two to six inches DRUMS The smooth high end response and large diaphragm warmth of the B2 B3 or B7 capsule
6. cut through a dense mix B6 CARDIOID LARGE DIAPHRAGM DUAL BACKPLATE The Blue Standard The Modern Presence Vocal Sound The big modern tone and sharply etched presence of the B6 exemplifies the Blue sound With a brighter response and more proximity effect than the B7 and less high or low end extension compared to the BO this capsule is logically a standard first choice for vocals It also has extreme presence and grab at distances of three feet or more for distant acoustic guitar miking ambient percussion miking and unconventional vocal treatments The B6 has the highest sensitivity of any Blue capsule and delivers significantly hotter output than most condenser microphones RECOMMENDED FOR Lead vocals background vocals voice overs percussion any source where extended top end is featured piano vibraphone accordion clean electric guitar jazz guitar distant miking of acoustic or resonator guitar Foley and sound effect recording extremely quiet sources B7 CARDIOID LARGE DISPATCH SINGLE BACKPLATE The Classic Vocal Sound The B7 has a familiar classic tube microphone signature characterized by smooth highs and a forward midrange that is ideally suited to vocals saxophones electric guitar and other instrumental solos It is the most understated of the Blue large diaphragm vocal capsule trio exhibiting a silky compressed tone and less presence boost than either the B6 or BO The natural high end response of
7. dealer and you ll find a complete list of capsules detailed herein In order to familiarize yourself with the Bottle s specialized and unique features please take the time to read this manual and be sure to try the suggested recording tips The Bottle One of the questions most commonly asked of Blue Bottle microphone owners is What s in that thing The Bottle is unquestionably an impressive sight with its imposing size and nostalgic resemblance to the earliest European tube microphones Like the mics of yesteryear the Bottle canister is not just for looks but also holds a small fortune in precision electronics The internal circuitry of the Bottle is thoroughly modern of course with an amplifier design utilizing a single hand selected vacuum tube pentode EF86 in triode mode The tube circuit is Class A and fully discrete meaning that the sound which arrives at the dia phragm of the Blue capsule is transduced converted to electrical energy as accurately as possible with no integrated circuits a k a IC s in the signal path To this end the Bottle utilizes electronic components of the highest quality such as expensive metal film resistors and large custom built transformer and there are no pad or low cut filter switches in the microphone circuit In short this is a signal path of the highest possible quality allowing the user to get the maximum benefit out of the unprecedented capsule selection created by Blue I
8. directional capsule will yield a natural roomy sound that blends easily with other rhythm instruments Can t decide on a capsule Just spin the Bottle Technical The Bottle vacuum tube amplifier consists of a classic common cathode circuit using a current source for the plate load rather than the more commontly used simple resistor The amplified signal is taken from the plate and fed through a high quality polypropylene capacitor bypassed by a smaller value polystyrene capacitor Russian MIL spec and output to our Blue custom hand built transformer Both of these capacitors have a low dielectric absorption coefficient and a low equivalent series resistance These parameters are essential to high end audio and are not present in lower priced microphones D A dielectric absorption is reluctance on the part of the capacitor to give up stored electrons when the capacitor is discharged E S R equivalent series resistance is the resistance composed of the capacitor plate lead and termination resistances If the capacitors used in the audio path possess high values of D A and E S R the result is a loss of accuracy and dynamic structure when reproducing the finer details of the recorded source Under these conditions a definite grunge or hashy distortion is added to the reproduced signal The Blue hand built Bottle microphone transformer is balanced using a symmetrical two bobbin design i e humbucking with a transforming ra
9. e of charge during this period except for tubes which are guaranteed for 90 days against defects This warranty is void if the serial number has been altered removed or defaced The warranty is void if the equipment is altered misused mishandled maladjusted or is serviced by any parties not authorized by Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics BLUE The warranty does not include transportation costs incurred because of the need for service unless arranged for in advance Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics BLUE reserves the right to make changes in design and improve upon its products without obligation to install these improvements in any of its products previously manufactured This warranty is in lieu of any or all expressed or implied In keeping with our policy of continued product improvement Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics BLUE reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice 2013 Blue Microphones All rights reserved Blue Logo Oval Bottle Bottle Caps Power Stream Series 2 Shock The Pop and Quad Cable are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blue Microphones Inc All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners CE rvs E
10. fe ie Bd tm TOA cr Ea g g F x cP e E 6 x Pour it on Absolute Sound Perfection Congratulations on your purchase of the Blue Bottle a classic modern vacuum tube microphone made the old fashioned way without compromise In every industry cameras automobiles audio and more there are a handful of small companies reputed for a rare blend of scientific precision and artistic passion You know who these artisans are their trademarks are synonymous with the ultimate in handcrafted perfection Our flagship The Bottle microphone parallels this vision representing Blue s highest achievement in quality and innovation The Bottle is a precision recording tool combining the low noise and superb transient response of top grade electronics with the sonic magic of legendary vintage vocal microphones The Bottle is not simply a microphone but a fully featured microphone system with eight optional interchangeable capsules In an instant these bayonet mount capsules can be exchanged to provide different tonal characteristics and pickup patterns while the power supply is still turned on The basic Bottle system includes a B6 cardioid capsule Champagne tube microphone cable an the Power Stream Tube Mic power supply shipped in a blue velvet lined ATA flight case approved for the utmost protection The Bottle is finished in a luxurious blue lacquer paint Additional capsules are available from your pro audio
11. k condition despite its natural aging If a new tube is installed this servo circuit keeps the tube working optimally This unique circuitry at the time of this writing has not been used in any commercially available microphone The servo system uses an integrated circuit with high time constant value and is external to the signal path The amplifier input is separated from the microphone capsule with a capacitance consisting of two styroflex caps one ten times the value of the other mounted on special Teflon isolators Both the tube grid and the microphone capsule are controlled through high quality low noise 0 5W 400Mohm resistors The capsule s polarization voltage is fed through two low pass filters to enable voltage is adjustable by a multi position switch on the power supply with ranges from 30 1V 6dB up to 95 1V 4dB with a mid point of 60V OdB All of the Bottle s internal wiring is oxygen free copper Teflon insulated Power Stream Power Supply No other commercially available tube mic power supply offers the unique features of the Blue Power Stream To assure the longevity of the vacuum tube and the stability of the tube microphone circuitry Blue has developed the Power Stream power supply with the new SOFT START feature In the past power supplies have been designed to use both heater and plate voltages applied simultaneously once power has been switched on In this case the high voltage potential on the plate forcefu
12. lly attracts electrons from the not yet heated cathode a process known as cathode stripping In practicality this means that each time the power supply is switched on the microphone tube changes its electrical properties To put it simply the tube begins to wear and gets noisier To avoid this problem the Power Stream SOFT START feature delivers the tube s heater voltage first The Power Stream s circuitry also prevents the heater current from exceeding the limits for which the tube was designed Without this feature the cold heater would draw more current than specified and begin to deteriorate the valuable microphone tube After approximately 80 seconds when the cathode is fully heated the plate voltage is gradually applied starting from 10V to 120V or other voltage depending on the microphone circuitry During this time the output of the microphone is muted After about three minutes the tube is settled in its correct operating mode the muting is disabled and audio is present Both the heater and the plate voltages are ultra stable and non dependent on AC main changes of fluctuations For AC rectification the Power Stream uses the only high frequency diodes to obtain the purest DC possible And most importantly the plate voltage supply is of low impedance which improves sonics and clarity All the potentiometer switches on the Power Stream are discrete military type with enclosed contacts The nine position switch allows you to dete
13. n order to get the most out of this or any quality microphone it is essential to pair it with a good microphone pre amplifier Most professional recordists prefer to have outboard preamps on hand and will choose solid state or vacuum tube models based on their unique characteristics And unlike many tube microphones the Bottle can be run through a variety of tube preamps without excess coloration noise loss of detail or tube compression To maintain the integrity of your signal use the Blue Quad mic cable going into the mic preamp It is not necessary or advisable to connect the Bottle mic Power Stream power supply to a 48V phantom power source And whenever possible connect the mic preamp output directly to your recorder or A D converter bypassing the mixing board and any unnecessary components A recessed threaded mic stand socket is built into the bottom of the Bottle canister next to the multi pin output jack To put the Bottle on a stand you may find it easiest to 1 loosen the boom stand arm or threaded end of the mic stand 2 grasp the Bottle in one hand and 3 screw the mic stand threads into the threaded mount This procedure will eliminate any possibility of handling damage to the mic SAFETY NOTE Do not attach a capsule or the multi pin Champagne cable to the Bottle until it has first been attached to a stand Once the microphone body is secure connect the Champagne cable to the Bottle and the Power Stream power supply and
14. ne on electric guitar tracks it is common practice to use an ambient room mic are excellent for distant room miking applications on a wide range of instruments PIANO The B2 B6 and B7 capsules are useful for any clean amp sound ranging from bright rhythm chords to warm jazzy tones Angle the capsule toward the center of the speaker to capture more highs or turn it toward the edge of the cone for a fuller sound with more low end You should also try the B2 B3 and B7 for overdriven or distorted amp tones To add a little room sound and soften the extreme high end move the mic towards the outer edge of the cone or back it away from the amp a foot or more For even more control over definition and room tone on electric guitar tracks it is common practice to use an ambient room mic are excellent for distant room miking applications on a wide range of instruments SAXOPHONES AND REEDS The smooth high end response and large diaphragm warmth of the B2 B3 or B7 capsules make them ideal candidates for miking saxophones and other reed instruments For soprano sax clarinet and relaxed instruments position the mic directly above and in front of the keys between the middle of the horn and the lowest pads Try rotating the capsule or moving the mic up or down along the length of the body to adjust the balance of airy highs toward the mouthpiece and cutting midrange toward the bell For other members of the saxophone family start
15. ng experimental modern techniques or recalling historical recording styles RECOMMENDED FOR Emulation of vintage saxophone brass guitar or vocal sounds jazz ensembles and horn sections muted trumpet flugelhorn and other low brass instruments clarinet overly bright or edgy instruments room miking acoustic bass cello and other bowed string instruments electric bass clean or distorted electric guitar pedal steel and slide guitar whistling organ B3 CARDIOID MID SIZED DIAPHRAGM The Neutral Capsule In the tradition of classical recording microphones this capsule does little to flatter or enhance the recorded source but rather tells it like it is The high end response is smooth with exemplary transient response and midrange to low end pickup appears to be flat Though its timbre is not dramatic compared to other Blue capsules the B3 is noteworthy for its uncommon ability to convey a source with neutrality and veracity just as it may sound in the room RECOMMENDED FOR Female vocals distant miking of orchestral groups and instruments banjo mandolin resonator guitar jazz guitar distorted electric guitar electric bass a natural or folky tone on nylon and steel string acoustic guitar oboe bassoon and other double reeds piano organ B4 PERSPEX SPHERE PRESSURE OMNI SMALL DIAPHRAGM The Big Omni The B4 s sweet highs are never harsh or strident and the bass response below 120 Hz is unusually robust f
16. or an omnidirectional microphone This capsule s smooth presence lift conveys an extra measure of high end detail and focus preventing distant sounds from becoming overly diffuse or washed out call this the audiophile capsule traditionally Perspex sphere microphones are highly regarded for distant miking of classical instruments and ensembles And along with the BO and B2 capsules the B4 offers maximum low end pickup ranking as a particularly useful and unique tool for studio recording Expect some ambient pickup of low end noise air conditioning rumble etc and 4 to 8 dB lower output relative to other capsules RECOMMENDED FOR Orchestral sounds classical instrumentation snare bass drum background vocals organ accordion tuba and sousaphone distant miking of any source particularly bowed strings clean electric guitar and drums B5 PRESSURE OMNI DIAPHRAGM The Pressure Omni The B5 is distinguished by super detailed highs and attenuated lower midrange to bass response Along with the BO this is the brightest of the Blue capsules and can supply significant presence boosting on dull quiet or indistinct sources Low end pickup and proximity effect are minimal compared to other capsules making this an ideal candidate for close miking many acoustic instruments RECOMMENDED FOR Acoustic guitar percussion any highly transient sources any acoustic sources that need very close miking or extra presence boosting to
17. placement To realize the perfect blend of the best materials the Champagne tube microphone cable was designed collaboratively by Blue and an engineer with over thirty years of experience in the audio cable industry This top quality cable uses only the finest available proprietary materials including two conductor pair is twisted to totally eliminate noise and covered with the finest tinned copper braid for additional protection To guarantee voltages and power the Champagne cable incorporates five additional 24 gauge conductors The result is a tube microphone cable that unveils every nuance captured in the Bottle to tickle the finest taste buds as well as warm the coldest critic For those interested in a detailed description how capacitors affect the audio circuitry read the 1980 March amp April AUDIO Magazine article by Walter G Jung and Richard Marsh entitled Picking Capacitors o Microphones Blue Microphones 5706 Corsa Avenue Suite 102 Westlake Village CA 91362 www bluemic com Warranty This Microphone or related part is warranted under the conditions outlined below to its original registered owner provided the purchase was made from an authorized Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics BLUE dealer This Microphone or related part is guaranteed to remain free from operating defects for three years from the date of purchase In the event that service is required all necessary parts and labor will be furnished fre
18. ransient response of the Bl and B3 capsules make them natural choices for miking acoustic guitar resonator guitar banjo or mandolin Large diaphragm capsules require more careful placement but the BO B6 and B7 capsules are also well suited to this job And the B5 omni capsule is great at approximating the bright rhythm guitar sounds of the 60 s and 70 s For a balanced sound with plenty of sparkling high end position the microphone facing the guitar neck right where the neck joins the body usually around the 12th to 14th frets For starters keep the capsule as close as possible and nagle it toward the sound hole to capture a blend of low end and pick sound If you need more lows move the capsule closer to the sound hole For more high end detail move the Bottle farther from the guitar either at the same neck position or above the instrument up by the guitarist s head ELECTRIC GUITAR The B2 B6 and B7 capsules_ are useful for any clean amp sound ranging from bright rhythm chords to warm jazzy tones Angle the capsule toward the center of the speaker to capture more highs or turn it toward the edge of the cone for a fuller sound with more low end You should also try the B2 B3 and B7 for overdriven or distorted amp tones To add a little room sound and soften the extreme high end move the mic towards the outer edge of the cone or back it away from the amp a foot or more For even more control over definition and room to
19. rmine precisely the right polarization voltage the Bottle or pattern selection the Cactus on your microphone capsule Polarization switch The Power Stream offers a nine step polarization switch for sensitivity selections Set at the top zero the microphone capsule is set at 60 volts for the suggested performance When the switch is tuned counter fully clockwise the polarization voltage is reduced to deliver a 6dB lower output for louder signal sources When turned fully clockwise the polarization voltages are increased delivering up to 4dB more output providing more sensitivity for quieter sound sources Selections in between the maximum settings allows the end user a variety of choices Note when the switch is fully increased be careful not to overload the capsule with loud signal sources Voltage Changes The Power Stream operates at either 110 or 240 voltages Your power supply has been shipped for the proper voltages required in your country If a voltage change is needed remove the fuse holder located above the AC receptacle Reinsert the specified fuse AC 110V 500mA or AC 220V 250mA and select the correct voltage 110 or 220 using the voltage selector switch Champagne Tube Microphone Cable All microphone cables are reactive energy storing devices with independent voltage and current components The subtlest aspects of recorded sound are dependent on the physical construction of these cables as well as size material and wire
20. s make them ideal candidates for miking saxophones and other reed instruments For soprano sax clarinet and relaxed instruments position the mic directly above andinfrontofthe keys between the middle of the horn and the lowest pads Try rotating the capsule or moving the mic up or down along the length of the body to adjust the balance of airy highs toward the mouthpiece and cutting midrange toward the bell For other members of the saxophone family start by placing the capsule two to six inches in front of the lip of the bell Turn the capsule up toward the mouthpiece or raise the microphone above the bell to capture more air brightness and high notes For a mellower sound rotating the capsule toward the floor emphasizes the low range of the sax and tames the biting upper mids that project straight out of the bell particularly on alto saxophone Y PERCUSSION On tambourine shaker bells clave and orchestral percussion the small diaphragm B1 large diaphragm BO B6 and B7 or omnidirectional B4 and B5 capsules offers astounding clarity and realism and can be positioned quite close to a percussive source without distortion or undue proximity effect Start by placing the Bottle about a foot from percussive instruments Selecting a cardioid capsule or moving the mic closer to the source will emphasize detail and tone as well as decreasing the proportion of ambient room sound on a track More distant placement or the use of an omni
21. t high end detail extremely lifelike transient response and an open uncompressed sound that seems to add extra depth and dimension to any source This capsule offers punchy bass pickup without extended or muddy lows neutral off axis response and a lack of harshness that is extraordinary for a small diaphragm transducer Compared to other Blue cardioid capsules the Bl is prone to ambient pickup of low and end noise air conditioning rumble etc but it does perform well in distant miking situations and is striking in its accuracy and pleasant timbre RECOMMENDED FOR Nylon or steel string acoustic guitar piano vibraphone accordion drum overheads metal percussion hi hat small pitched percussion such as toy piano or mbira voice overs special vocal effects room or ambient miking Foley and sound effect recording B2 FIGURE OF EIGHT LARGE DIAPHRAGM The Vintage Capsule The B2 offers a thick and compressed tonality with an aggressive upper midrange and big low end response on par with the BO and B4 capsules It has a distinctively mellow high end compared to other Blue capsules and does a remarkable job of capturing the gentle Blue capsules and does a remarkable job of capturing the gentle timbre and roomy pickup of a ribbon microphone without the fragility or low output problems of a classic specimen The proximity effect of this pattern is pronounced and can be used to great effect on vocals and soloists whether one is pursui
22. tio of 13 1 With this ratio the microphone achieves a low output impedance typically 110 ohms The primary transformer windings are connected in series The transformer s secondary windings are connected in parallel and connect directly to the XLR output pins The transformer lamination has a high relative permeability which is one of the factors contribut ing to low distortion and higher dynamic range A permalloy circular housing covers the transformer thus providing additional isolation from external magnetic fields The Bottle microphone employs an EF86 pentode vacuum tube connected in a triode mode The third grid of the EF86 is connected with a cathode and is grounded The plate voltage is at 65 0 VDC and the plate is 0 6 mA The heater voltage is kept at an optimum 6V to ensure the longevity of the tube Each EF86 is tested by Blue engineers for self noise level AC amplification factor and THD distortion Measurements are taken twice on each tube first after a 24 hour burn in period The tube is mounted on custom made dampers to minimize microphonics A custom rubber string is applied for dampening and holding the tube firmly in its socket A Wilson current mirror the most accurate solution for a current source circuit uses four thermo coupled solid state devices These discrete devices are separate from the signal path A precise servo system is used to maintain the DC plate voltage at a constant level This keeps the tube in pea
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