1) How do I determine what power amplifier I should use with my Nady speaker?
Divide the peak power rating (Watts) of the speaker in half, which will give you the root-means-square (RMS) rating. Also note the speaker’s listed Ohm load rating. The specs for your power amp list the RMS output power (in watts) for different speaker loads (8 Ohm, 4 Ohm, sometimes 2 Ohm). The general rule in selecting which amp to use with your speaker is to make sure that the amp’s RMS power rating at your speaker’s Ohm rating doesn’t exceed the RMS power rating of the speaker. This will ensure that you don‘t blow the speaker with signals that exceed its rating. Higher power amps can also be used, but extra care must be taken to prevent loud signals that can damage your speakers. Such damage caused by overpowering your speakers is not covered by the speaker’s warranty.

2) I’m not getting any audio from my studio condenser mic—what should I do?
Studio condenser mics require powering of the internal electronics to output a signal. Some condenser mics require internal batteries and others draw their power directly from the mixing console or our optional SMPS-1 phantom power supply. Be sure to read your Manual to ensure use of the correct power source for your mic. Tube Condensers require use of the power supply provided, and must have the selectable AC voltage switch to be set to that of your AC source (115 or 230 VAC).

3) What is Phantom power and does my mic require it?
Phantom Power is a method of supplying power to a condenser microphone (without internal batteries) through the microphone cable itself. It is DC voltage (usually 12-48 volts) and is provided by either the mixer itself or external power supplies connected between the condenser mic and the mixer. (See also differences between dynamic and condenser mics, below).

4) What are polar patterns?
Polar patterns are the way a microphone picks up sound. Common patterns are omnidirectional (which picks up sound equally from all directions), and unidirectional, which includes cardioid, super-cardioid and hyper-cardioid, as well as figure-8 (bi-directional). The spec sheets for these mics display the sound pick-up pattern for each of them as a 360* plot.

5) What is the difference between dynamic and condenser mics?
A dynamic microphone transmits sound by the use of a voice coil/magnet assembly. Condenser microphones feature an electrically-charged diaphragm design and some built-in electronics which require powering, either from internal batteries or external phantom powering through the cable. Generally condenser mics provide a louder output for the same signal and have more high-end transient detail than dynamic mics, which often have a mid-range peak that adds presence and punch to vocals and many instruments. Both types of microphones are commonly recommended for many overlapping miking applications, the type selected is usually based on subjective decisions from experimentation or prior experience.

6) What’s the difference between an active and passive speaker?
An active speaker has its own built-in power amplifier and mic/line input jacks and controls. A passive speaker needs an external amplifier to produce audio.

7) How do I know which Nady ribbon microphone to choose for my application?
The Nady RSM Series is extremely versatile, and all models are appropriate for most recording and even some live sound applications. There are variations in tone between the RSM Series ribbon mics that can be heard upon careful A/B listening. Ultimately the decision as to which mic to use for a particular application is a purely subjective one depending on the exact sound you’re after. However, we recommend using either the RSM-4 or RSM-5 when recording amp cabinets since their respective shapes and tonal characteristics make them ideal for this application.