General Description

Shure MX396 Dual-Element and Tri-Element microphones provide full coverage of large tables with fewer microphones, and feature a low profile design. This makes them ideal for use in boardrooms and other installations where aesthetics are important.

Features

  • Low profile, aesthetic design
  • Wide dynamic range and smooth frequency response
  • Configurable mute switch with logic output
  • Logic input for external LED control
  • RF filtering with CommShield® technology

Placement

Important: Align the Shure logo as shown for proper coverage.

Reconfiguring the MX396-TRI for 360° Coverage

To configure the MX396 for 360° "omnidirectional" coverage, open the grille and reposition the internal mic elements as shown.

Permanent Installation

Cable

The MX396 comes with a 20 ft. attached, unterminated cable.

Wire Color Function Mic Element
White Mic 1 Audio + A
Green Mic 1 Audio −
Orange Mic 2 Audio + B
Blue Mic 2 Audio −
Yellow Mic 3 Audio + C (TRI models)
Gray Mic 3 Audio −
Red SWITCH OUT All
Black LED IN
Silver (non-insulated) Logic Ground
Shield Mic Common Ground

Phantom Power

Each element in the microphone requires 12 to 48 V phantom power. The LED also uses phantom power, and dims slightly when phantom power voltage drops below 48 V DC.

The Tri-element model draws 22 mA at 48 V. The Dual-element model draws 19 mA at 48 Vdc. (Each element draws 3 mA and the LED draws 13 mA, distributed equally among each element.)

NOTE: Do not connect multiple elements in parallel to a single mic input. The phantom power current draw could exceed the maximum allowable for one mic input.

Accessing the DIP Switches

Caution: Failure to reinstall the setscrew will reduce RF immunity.

DIP Switch Settings

DOWN (Default) UP
Momentary Toggle
Push-to-Mute Push-to-Talk
Mute button enabled, LED illuminates when mic is active Disable mute button (microphone always on), logic controls LED
Full Frequency Range 6dB/octave Low Cut Filter

Low Cut Filter

Set DIP Switch 4 up to activate the low cut filter. Attenuates 6 dB per octave below 150 Hz.

Local Mute Control

The mircophone ships configured for local (manual) mute control (DIP Switch 3 down). In this mode, the PUSH button on the microphone mutes the audio signal at the microphone. Audio is not sent to the audio outputs.

In this configuration, the LED color reflects the microphone state, as controlled by the user with the PUSH button.

Green: microphone active

Red: microphone muted

Button Configuration

For local mute control operation, use DIP Switches 1 and 2 to configure the button behavior.

Button Behavior SWITCH OUT Logic Signal DIP Switch Setting
Momentary: push-to-mute (as shipped). When pushed, SWITCH OUT (red wire) falls to 0 V. When released, SWITCH OUT returns to +5 V.
Momentary: push-to-talk
Toggle: Push and release to toggle the microphone on or off. Mic is active when powered on. Push and release sets SWITCH OUT to 0 V. Push again to toggle back to +5 V.
Toggle: Push and release to toggle the microphone on or off. Mic is mute when powered on

Logic Mute Control (Automatic Mixing)

Set DIP Switch 3 up to configure the microphone for logic control applications where audio from the microphone is muted by an external device, such as an automatic mixer. In this mode, the local mute function of the PUSH button is bypassed (the microphone always sends audio) and the LED does not respond directly from pushing the button.

As required by the installation specifications, wire the SWITCH OUT conductor in the microphone cable to the automatic mixer or other TTL logic device. When the talker presses the button on the microphone, it changes the voltage level at the SWITCH OUT conductor, which signals the device to mute audio for that channel or perform some other function.

To control the LED on the microphone, wire the LED IN conductor to the gate output on the automatic mixer (or any TTL logic device).

Button Configuration

For logic control operation, DIP Switch 1 determines the button behavior (DIP Switch 2 has no effect).

Button Behavior DIP Switch Setting
Momentary: When pushed, SWITCH OUT (red wire) falls to 0 V. When released, SWITCH OUT returns to +5 V.
Toggle: Push and release sets SWITCH OUT to 0 V. Push again to toggle back to +5 V.

Controlling the LED Using Logic LED IN

When configured for logic mute control, connect the LED IN conductors to an external switch, relay, or a TTL gate (gate out) on an automatic mixer.

  • The LED illuminates green when the MX396 LED IN is grounded (black wire connected to the bare silver wire).
  • The LED illuminates red when LED IN is lifted (black wire is NOT connected to the bare silver wire).

Replacement Parts

Fastening Wing Nut [65A2190]

Mounting Tube [31A2165]

Rubber Isolation Rings (2) [66A405]

Mic Cartidge (Cardioid) [R185B]

Specifications 

All measurements taken with microphone mounted on a wooden surface (76 x 76 cm)

Type

Electret Condenser

Frequency Response

5017000 Hz

Polar Pattern

MX396/C-DUAL Cardioid (x2)
MX396/C-TRI Cardioid (x3)

Output Impedance

170 Ω

Output Configuration

Active Balanced

Sensitivity

@ 1 kHz, open circuit voltage

−35 dBV/Pa (18 mV)

1 Pa=94 dB SPL

Maximum SPL

1 kHz at 1% THD, 1 kΩ load

122 dB

Self Noise

A-weighted

30 dB SPL

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Ref. 94 dB SPL at 1 kHz

64 dB

Dynamic Range

1 kΩ load, @ 1 kHz

92 dB

Common Mode Rejection

10 to 100,000 kHz

45 dB, minimum

Clipping Level

at 1% THD

–7 dBV (0.5 V)

Mute Switch

−50 dB minimum

Logic Connections

LED IN Active low (≤1.0V), TTL compatible. Absolute maximum voltage: -0.7V to 50V.
LOGIC-OUT Active low (≤0.5V), sinks up to 20mA, TTL compatible. Absolute maximum voltage: -0.7V to 24V (up to 50V through 3kΩ).

Cable

6.1 m (20 ft), attached, unterminated, three shielded audio pairs and three shielded conductors for logic control

Weight

594 g (1.3 lbs)

Environmental Conditions

Operating Temperature –1857°C (0135°F)
Storage Temperature –2974°C (–20165°F)
Relative Humidity 095%

Power Requirements

MX396/C-DUAL 4852  V DC, 19.0 mA
MX396/C-TRI 4852  V DC, 22.0 mA

Certifications

Meets essential requirements of all applicable European Directives.

Eligible for CE marking.

The CE Declaration of Conformity can be obtained from Shure Incorporated or any of its European representatives. For contact information please visit www.shure.com

The CE Declaration of Conformity can be obtained from: www.shure.com/europe/compliance

Authorized European representative:

Shure Europe GmbH

Headquarters Europe, Middle East & Africa

Department: EMEA Approval

Jakob-Dieffenbacher-Str. 12

75031 Eppingen, Germany

Phone: +49-7262-92 49 0

Fax: +49-7262-92 49 11 4

Email: info@shure.de