Place your microphone stand four to six inches away from the sound source. Screw the shock mount, which is included with the AKG Perception 220, onto the microphone stand in the location where you would normally attach a microphone clip. The shock mount features a small protruding arm that contains a threaded adapter, which screws onto the stand. Use the shock mount during live and studio performances to reduce the amount of vibration that is transmitted from the ground to the microphone.
Screw the AKG Perception 220 into the shock mount with the front of the microphone facing the sound source. The front of the microphone features the AKG logo and the microphone's switches.
Connect an XLR cable to the XLR output on the bottom of the microphone. Connect the other end of the XLR cable to your mixer or audio interface. Use an input channel that provides phantom power. Phantom power is required to operate this microphone. Turn on the phantom power on your mixer or audio interface.
Switch the preattenuation pad to "-20 dB" if you are recording a loud sound source, such as a kick drum or brass instrument. The preattenuation pad switch is located on the front right side of the microphone and is used to lower the audio's volume. Switch the preattenutation pad to "0 dB" for all other sound sources.
Switch the high pass filter on if you need to suppress low frequency noise, such as traffic outside or an electrical hum. The high pass filter switch is located on the front left side of the microphone. The "on" position features an image of a line with an upwards slope, while the "off" position features an image of a horizontal line.