Tascam TM-2X Stereo X-Y Microphone for DSLR Cameras Owner Manual

Tascam TM-2X Stereo X-Y Microphone for DSLR Cameras

About Tascam

Tascam is a well-known brand in the audio recording and production industry, particularly in the field of portable audio recorders, audio interfaces, and other audio equipment. The company’s name stands for “TEAC Audio Systems Corporation of America,” and it has a long history dating back to the 1970s.

Thank you for your purchase of the TASCAM TM-2X Stereo Plug-in Microphone. Before connecting and using the unit, please take time to read this manual thoroughly to ensure you understand how to properly set up and connect the unit, as well as the operation of its many useful and convenient functions. After you have finished reading this manual, please keep it in a safe place for future reference. You can also download the Owner’s Manual from the TASCAM

• website (http://tascam.com/ or http://tascam.eu/ for Europe).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install by the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for the replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/ apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
    • Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.
    • Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.
    • Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a bookcase or similar unit.
    • The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the AC outlet with its POWER or STANDBY/ON switch not in the ON position.
    • The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any time.
    • The mains plug is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
    • If the product uses batteries (including a battery pack or installed batteries), it should not be exposed to sunshine, fire, or excessive heat.
    • CAUTION for products that use replaceable lithium batteries: there is a danger of explosion if a battery is replaced with an incorrect type of battery. Replace only with the same or equivalent type.

Other cautions

• • Do not install in the following types of places. Doing so could cause malfunctions.
  • Places with significant vibrations or that are otherwise unstable
  • Near windows or other places exposed to direct sunlight
  • Near heaters or other extremely hot places
  • Extremely cold places
  • Places with bad ventilation or high humidity
  • Very dusty locations
• Avoid installing this unit on top of any heat-generating electrical device such as a power amplifier.
• Do not let the unit become wet.
• If the unit is moved from a cold to a warm place, or used after a sudden temperature change, there is a danger of condensation; vapor in the air could condense on the internal mechanism, making correct operation impossible. To prevent this, or if this occurs, let the unit sit for one or two hours at the new room temperature before using it.
• If you are experiencing problems with this product, contact TEAC for a service referral. Do not use the product until it has been repaired.

For European Customers

Disposal of electrical and electronic equipment

• (a) All electrical and electronic equipment should be disposed of separately from the municipal waste stream via collection facilities designated by the government or local authorities.
• (b) By disposing of electrical and electronic equipment correctly, you will help save valuable resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment.
• (c) Improper disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment can have serious effects on the environment and human health because of the presence of hazardous substances in the equipment.
• (d) The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) symbol, which shows a wheeled bin that has been crossed out, indicates that electrical and electronic equipment must be collected and disposed of separately from household waste.
• (e) Return and collection systems are available to end users. For more detailed information about the disposal of old electrical and electronic equipment, please contact your city office, waste disposal service, or the shop where you purchased the equipment.

Overview of features

• This unit is a stereo microphone that runs on plug-in power.
• Using a stereo microphone pair in an X-Y arrangement, which is the same as used by many TASCAM linear PCM recorders, you can make recordings with clear stereo definition and minimal phase differences.
• The high-sensitivity directional condenser microphone capsules, which can have their angles adjusted, enable high-quality audio recording.
• Functions that enable optimal recording include a low-cut filter that reduces the low-frequency noise of air-conditioning, wind, and other sounds that are easily captured during microphone input and a microphone sensitivity switch.
• A floating construction is used to reduce noise caused by contact. This also reduces mechanical noises such as those caused by the operation of autofocus and automatic image stabilization.
• In addition to being directly attachable to a digital camera accessory shoe (that meets ISO/JIS standards), a camera screw on the bottom of the attachment foot can also be used to fix the unit on a tripod or stand.

Included items

This product includes the following components. Open the package carefully to prevent damage to the main unit. Keep the box and other packing materials for ten storage during shipping peas detect TAse missing or appear to have

• TM-2x
• Furry windscreen
• Noise isolation arm
• Warranty card
• Owner’s manual (this manual)

Conventions used in this manual

In this manual, we use the following conventions:

• The camera, recorder, or other equipment to which this unit is connected is called the “connected device”.
• Buttons, jacks, and other parts of this unit and other equipment are indicated in a bold font like this: LOW CUT. 
• Additional information is provided as necessary as notes and cautions.

NOTE
These provide additional explanations and describe special cases.

CAUTION
Failure to follow these instructions could result in injury, damage to equipment, or lost recording data, for example.

Cleaning the unit

Use a soft dry cloth to wipe the unit clean. Do not use chemically-treated cleaning cloths, thinner, alcohol, or similar substances to wipe the unit. Doing so could damage the surface or cause discoloration.

Trademarks

• TASCAM is a trademark of TEAC Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
• Other company names, product names, and logos in this document are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

User Registration

Customers in the USA, please visit the TASCAM website (http://tascam.com/) to register as a user online.

Names and functions of parts

1. Stereo mic pair (L/R)
   This stereo pair of directional electret condenser microphones is arranged in an X-Y pattern. You can change the orientation of these built-in microphones.
2. SENS L/H (mic sensitivity) switch
3. Attachment foot locknut
4. Cable and stereo mini plug (Ф3.5mm)
5. ( Low-cut filter switch (FLAT/LOW CUT)
   By using the low-cut filter, you can reduce low-frequency noise from air conditioning, wind during outdoor recording, vibrations, and other sources.
6. Cord holder 
7. Attachment foot 
8. Tripod mounting threads (1/4-inch) 
9. Noise isolation arm
   By using the included Noise isolation arm to attach the mic, you can reduce the recording of camera motor noise from autofocus, automatic image stabilization, and other operations.

Attaching the unit

CAUTION

• Never lift the connected device by holding this unit or the noise isolation arm. The application of excessive load could damage this unit or the connected device.
• When not in use, disconnect this unit from the connected device and store it. Application of excessive load, while connected, could damage this unit or the connected device.
  1. After sliding the 7 Attachment foot of this unit into the camera accessory shoe to attach it, turn the nut to lock it in place. When using a tripod with a recorder or other device that does not have an accessory shoe, align the tripod mounting threads with the tripod screw and fix it in place.
  2. Connect the stereo mini plug of the mic cable built into this unit to the mic input jack of the connected device.

Using the unit

Make the following settings as necessary before using the unit.

• Adjusting the built-in mic angle
  You can adjust the angle of the built-in mics. Choose the optimal angle according to how this unit is installed and the position of the sound source. The range of mic angle adjustment is 180° as shown on the right.
• Set the mic sensitivity
  Ordinarily, set the (2 SENS L/H switch to H and adjust the input sensitivity of the connected device to the optimal level before using the unit. If the input sound distorts, set the sensitivity of this unit to L. If distortion continues even after doing this, move the unit further away from the sound source.

NOTE
Depending on the input specifications of the connected device, the maximum input sound pressure characteristics of this unit change. To maximize the use of the input characteristics of this unit, follow the procedures above to set the sensitivity. If the sound distorts when the 2 SENS L/H switch is set to H, changing the setting to L before adjusting the level on the connected device could cause the input level to become extremely low.

Using the low-cut filter
To use the low-cut filter, set the 5 Low-cut filter switches on the side of the unit to LOW CUT.

NOTE
Since the effect of the low-cut filter is dependent on the input specifications of the connected device, it will change if the input specifications change.

Using the furry windscreen
By covering the mic with the included furry windscreen, noise caused by wind, breath, and other direct air contact with the mic can be reduced.

CAUTION

• Touching this unit during recording could cause noise to be recorded.
• When recording video, the sounds of cameras and lenses moving and being operated, for example, could be recorded.
• This unit might not function properly near radio and television transmission towers and other equipment that generates strong electromagnetic waves or magnetism.
• Always hold this unit firmly in place when adjusting the low-cut filter switch, mic sensitivity switch, or mic angle. Failure to do so could result in excessive force being applied to the attachment foot and damaging the unit.

Specifications 

 

• TEAC CORPORATION
  • http://tascam.jp/
  • Phone: +81-42-356-9143
  • 1-47 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8530 Japan
• TEAC AMERICA, INC.
  • Phone: +1-323-726-0303
  • http://tascam.com/
  • 7733 Telegraph Road, Montebello, California 90640 USA
• TEAC MEXICO, S.A. de C.V.
  • Phone: +52-55-5010-6000
  • http://teacmexico.net/
  • Río Churubusco 364, Colonia Del Carmen, Delegación Coyoacán, CP 04100, México DF, México
• TEAC UK LIMITED
  • http://tascam.eu/
  • Phone: +44-8451-302511
  • Meridien House, Ground Floor,69 – 71, Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1DS, UK
• TEAC EUROPE GmbH
  • Phone: +49-611-71580
  • http://tascam.eu/
  • Bahnstrasse 12, 65205 Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Germany
• TEAC SALES & TRADING(SHENZHEN) CO., LTD
  • Phone: +86-755-88311561~2
  • Room 817, Block A, Hailrun Complex, 6021 Shennan Blvd., Futian District, Shenzhen 518040, China

FAQS About Tascam TM-2X Stereo X-Y Microphone for DSLR Cameras

For more manuals by TASCAM, Visit Manualsdock