Technology

How does the M600 work?

The Enhanced Audio M600s unique design and the fact that it is not a suspension mount, its weight and method of rigidly clamping the microphone body within six minimum points of contact contributes to:

The reduced movement of the microphone in the X,Y and Z axis,

Reduction of resonance within the microphone body itself,

Plus

The reduction of infrasonic vibrations below 20Hz which negativly dominate and mask Lo , Mid and Hi frequencies allowing the microphone to capture the soundwave clearly producing a more detailed recording.

Analogy

The best analogy to describe how the Enhanced Audio M600 works is to compare when a camera is mounted on a tripod, movement is reduced enabling the camera to record a sharper image.

With the camera held by hand, similar to when a microphone is mounted in a suspension mount movement is induced which in turn causes a distortion of the image.

It has been pointed out that the M600 when mounted on a conventional stand completely negates its design intention due to the fact that if the stand moves so will the M600 and the microphone.

Yes of course this is true but they will all move in the same direction at the same time, with the microphone held in a suspension mount the microphone is free to move in any axis causing it to buck and yaw and possibly move in an opposite direction to that of the stand, causing the microphone to loose focus when capturing the sound wave.

Why reduce infrasonic vibrations if we can't hear them?

When a microphone is held in a suspension mount, their high levels of vibration negatively dominate and mask Low, Mid and Hi frequencies which we can hear.

Sound Analysis tests clearly show the M600 providing a significant reduction in the transmission of infrasonic vibrations, allowing the microphone to capture the soundwave clearly.

See Sound Analysis Graphs and Polytec Laser Vibrometery Report

What are the audible benefits?

Owners of the M600 have found their microphones exhibit an audibly tighter and extended bass response, cleaner treble and improved detail and less of the previously mentioned attributes when used with a suspension “shock mount” or clip mount.

They have also found that some of their microphones exhibit a slight increase in gain when used with the M600 as if the gain control on their mic pre amp has been increased.

The reason for this is that some microphones are more sensitive than others and with the reduction of the vibrations below 20Hz there is an increase in level of the frequencies above 20Hz.

See 1/3 Octave Sound Analysis Graph

What are the practical benefits?

The M600 can accommodate microphones from pencil size to large condensers up to 65mm diameter (2.56 inches). Holding not only your favourite microphone but also most of the microphones in your prized collection.

It’s built to last; it’s quick and easy to swap between mics Offering increased security and stability

It fits standard 5/8-27 American Unified Threaded microphone stands, With the use of an insert will fit 3/8-16 B.S.W. threaded stands.

See also the M600-XL and the M600-XXL for those extra large Microphones.

What's the difference between using a Suspension mount and the M600?

The Suspension

The Suspension method although reducing vibrations within the audible frequency range, providing varing degrees of attenuation between roughly 50hz and 300hz, also resonates and accentuates vibrations below 20Hz, allowing movement in the X, Y and Z axis.

A microphone when held in a suspension mount moves quite a lot in the X (Sidways), Y ( Up+Down) and Z (Back + Forth) axis, especially below 20Hz.

This is due to the flexibility built into the design of a suspension mount and that most suspension mounts have a resonant frequency below 20Hz.

This movement hinders the microphone from capturing the soundwave clearly, producing a less detailed recording.

A suspension mount due to its design accentuates infrasonic vibrations, as can be clearly seen in the Sound Analysis graphs and Polytec Laser Vibrometery report.

The M600

The M600 although reducing less vibrations within the audible frequency range restricts movement of the microphone in the X,Y and Z axis and reduces vibrations below 20Hz.

This restricted movement and reduction of infrasonic vibrations enables the microphone to capture the soundwave clearly, producing a more detailed recording.

The M600 due to its design reduces infrasonic vibrations, as can be clearly seen in the Sound Analysis graphs and Polytec Laser Vibrometery report.

Why design the M600?

The first idea was to design a single universal microphone mount using a patent pending minimum contact method of mounting the microphone within six points of contact.

Enhanced Audio were the first to introduce this method of mounting in 2005.

The second idea for designing the M600 was to find out what would the reproduced sound coming from the microphone sound like if it were held in a different manner to that of a suspension mount.

Most microphone mounts are designed to work only with a specific model or type of microphone.

The M600 has been designed as a universal microphone mount.

What are the benefits for the Recording Engineer, Recording Musician and Voice Over Artist?

The Recording Engineer

Tracks recorded using the M600 are easier to place within a mix. This is especially evident when double tracking, tracking backing vocals or laying multiple guitar parts. Due to the tighter and extended bass response provided by the M600, the accumulation of unwanted low end when multi tracking is no longer an issue, giving the Engineer the option to avoid the use of high pass filters.

The Recording Musician

Whether singing or playing an instrument the M600 will enable the microphone to capture a more detailed representation of your performance. Drum kits, bass guitar and especially kick drums benefit greatly with a well-defined low end. Acoustic instruments gain by having improved definition and clarity.

The Voice Over Artist

The Voice Over Artist can utilise the proximity effect to a greater extent due to the tighter and extended bass response provided by the M600. Providing a rich warm tone to the voice plus with the additional cleaner treble and improved detail, a more pleasing presentation to the listener.