EV PolarChoice™ 12
Condenser Podium Microphone

By Mark Farmer
     Microphones all have a specific application. Each one made slightly different than the other. They are also grouped into three different categories, recording microphones, general use and application specific. One type of application specific microphone is the ‘podium’ microphone. EVI sent out the newest of their microphones to be tested.
Features
     This newly designed mic by EV allows organizations to purchase just one ‘podium’ type mic for multi-faceted use because of multiple pattern choices. The PolarChoice™ mics come in two different models referring to their length, 12" and 18". The models are measured from end to end and depending on which length better suits needs. A small circular pot labeled 0-3 on the base of the mic gives the user choice of patterns available. A flat blade screwdriver easily takes care of any adjustment to the, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Supercardioid and Hypercardioid patterns. The microphone is an all black unit except for a small area around the tip that is metal chrome mesh. The silver area though, can be covered with the supplied black windscreen allowing it not to show up on camera. As with most microphones of this type it is meant to be phantom-powered with +48 volts DC. Between the male XLR housing and microphone element are two sections of bendable ‘gooseneck’ type areas. This allows the mic to be bent where needed. A solid hard tube section splits the ‘gooseneck’ areas keeping the entire unit from turning. The outer diameter of the XLR housing has been made small enough to fit into a standard, panel-mount, female XLR connector. Frequency response has been measured from 75 Hz to 15 kHz by Electro-Voice. With a dynamic range greater than 102 dB and a max input level greater than 130 dB, this mic should handle any event.
In Use
     During the seventeen days of the, Ohio State Fair in August I auditioned the EV Polar Choice™ microphone. The All Ohio Fair Queen's Pageant was held on the last day and required this style of microphone by the show announcer. Before use on stage, the mic was used at FOH to make between show announcements. The various patterns were all tested and monitored through the sound system as well as Sony MDR-V600 Headphones. With each switch of the pattern no noise was detected in the rotary pot mechanism and each pattern operated as named by EV. The microphone was clipped to the non-supplied microphone clip that was attached to a threaded podium mount. The mic element was bent towards the announcer's neck, just below his mouth, keeping his face in full view. As usual the HPF (high pass filter) was utilized at 80 Hz to rid the unneeded frequencies in the sound system. The Cardioid pattern was chosen which allowed the highest level before feedback. During sound check with the mic, about 6 dB of 250 Hz on the console was pulled as well as 2 dB of 10 kHz to naturalize the announcer’s vocal. As the announcer stepped in and out of the pre-set cardioid pattern, the mic sounded more natural at a distance of 6 to 8 inches. To gain some volume in the flown sound system additional frequencies were pulled in the main graph at, 1.25 kHz, 1.6 kHz and 2.5 kHz.
     By using the application specific EV Polar microphone this year, there was a drastic improvement of the enunciation and clarity compared to year’s prior. Lower frequencies of the human voice were accurate and sonically correct. In addition, when listening in headphones, the voice was tight and nearby and did not sound like an open mic in the outdoor venue.
Summary
     Having any microphone in your arsenal that allows switching of patterns is a valuable one. Purchasing mics like this will serve several purposes in different environments and save money.

Mark Farmer is the head audio engineer at Live Technologies Inc. in Columbus, Ohio and a regular contributor to PAR. He can be
reached at: mixthat@columbus.rr.com

              Product Points
                          Plus
                          +Genuine sound
                          +Flexibility of four mic patterns
                          Minus
                          -Silver mic grill shows up on camera without windscreen
                          The Score
                           With the possibility of three microphones in one, this is a great addition to schools, churches, live sound and AV companies.

www.eviaudio.com