Audix ADX40HC - Hypercardioid Hanging Condenser Microphone for Installation
The Audix ADX40HC is the ultimate solution for capturing professional sound in spaces where visual discretion is as important as audio quality. Designed as a miniature condenser microphone for suspended applications , this device redefines ambient and choir miking. While its capsule shares the compact technology of the best lavalier microphones, its engineering is specifically optimized for overhead operation, providing pristine audio pickup without compromising the aesthetics of the stage or room.
What sets the ADX40HC apart is its hypercardioid polar pattern. Unlike standard ambient microphones, this pattern offers a much tighter and more controlled focus. This translates into superior isolation of the desired sound source, effectively rejecting unwanted ambient noise, room reverberation, and, most importantly, minimizing the risk of feedback in demanding live environments. Made from precision-machined brass, it's a robust tool designed to last.
Installation is simple and clean thanks to its integrated 30-foot (approximately 9-meter) cable and phantom power adapter. Whether miking a string section in an orchestra, capturing the voices of a church choir, or reinforcing the audio in a school or professional theater production, the ADX40HC delivers a natural and transparent response, keeping the stage free of visible mic stands and cables.
Main features
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Hypercardioid Polar Pattern: Provides "tight" pickup control, ideal for isolating specific vocal groups or instruments in noisy settings.
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Invisible Design: Its miniature size and non-reflective finish allow the microphone to visually disappear from the audience's view.
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High Precision Capsule: Pre-polarized capacitor that offers a fast and detailed transient response.
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RF Immunity: Shielded circuitry that protects the signal against radio frequency interference and mobile devices.
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Complete Suspension System: Includes a long shielded cable and wire positioner to adjust the exact angle of the pod from the ceiling.
Benefits for the user
For sound engineers and installers, the Audix ADX40HC solves the age-old problem of "how to mic up without the microphone being visible." Its ability to capture sound from a distance with crystal clarity eliminates the need for individual microphones, reducing mixing complexity. Furthermore, its high feedback resistance allows the PA system to be run at higher volumes than with conventional microphones, ensuring that every word or note reaches the back row of the auditorium with clarity.
Recommended use cases
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Choirs and Vocal Groups: Strategically placed over the voices for a balanced and natural mix.
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Theatre and Performing Arts: General capture of the stage without obstructing the view of the actors or sets.
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Symphony Orchestras: Overhead microphones for string, wind or percussion sections.
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Conference Rooms and Auditoriums: Ambient recording and sound reinforcement for audience questions or round tables.
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Room Miking: For studio recordings that require capturing the natural acoustics of the space.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between this model (HC) and the regular ADX40?
The standard model is cardioid (wider pickup), while the ADX40HC is hypercardioid , which means it picks up a narrower area and rejects side sound better, making it better for noisy situations or nearby monitors.
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Does it need phantom power?
Yes, the ADX40HC requires phantom power (9-52V) to operate, as it is a condenser microphone.
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Can the cable be disconnected from the microphone?
The 30-foot cable is permanently attached to the capsule to ensure signal integrity and suspension safety, terminating in a mini-XLR connector that plugs into the included power module.
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Can it be used as a lavalier microphone?
Technically, the capsule is similar, but it's designed with wiring and accessories for hanging. For clothing, Audix offers other specific models (such as the ADX10 series).
Project description
Supply and installation of a pre-polarized miniature condenser microphone for ceiling (pendant) applications. The microphone must have a hypercardioid polar pattern for high off-axis noise and feedback rejection. The frequency response must be 40 Hz to 20 kHz with an impedance of 250 ohms and a sensitivity of 5 mV/Pascal. It must include an integrated 30-foot (9-meter) shielded cable terminated with a TA3F connector, a cylindrical XLR phantom power adapter, and a wire positioner. The finish must be non-reflective black, and the body must be machined brass.
