Market Focus

MICROPHONE CAPSULES

A comprehensive look at some of the leading microphone manufacturers latest products.

SENNHEISER

Part of the e 900 series, Sennheiser’s e 935 microphone is among the audio specialist’s most popular vocal microphones. Its capsule, the MMD 935, can be paired with wireless systems from the Digital 9000 Series through to evolution wireless. It is designed for demanding, uncompromising professional use by musicians and singers alike.

This dynamic cardioid vocal microphone offers a smooth, natural sound with a fast-transient response, ensuring no details are missed. It also benefits from a shock-resistant capsule mounting and hum compensating coil, which result in low handling noise, and its 100% metal casing makes it perfect for tough on-stage use.

The balanced frequency range makes the e 935 ideal for every genre of music. It gives the voice more space and positions it cleanly in front of loud instruments. With a transparent high-end and warm but well defined lower mids, it lends even gentle voices an impressive intensity and size, allowing the vocal track in the band mix to be emphasised much more easily.

The e 935 also increases speech intelligibility. It remains extremely resistant to feedback, as well as to the hard conditions of live gigs.

The e 935 is used by bands such as Swedish power metal band Sabaton and UK progressive rock band, Black Peaks. Specifications: Dimensions 47 x 151 mm Connector XLR-3 Frequency response (Microphone) 40 - 18000 Hz Transducer principle (Microphone) dynamic Weight 355 g Pick-up pattern cardioid Sensitivity in free field, no load (1kHz) 2,8mV/Pa = -51dB (0 dB = 1V/Pa) = -71 dB (0 dB = 1V/ubar) Nominal impedance 350 Ω Min. terminating impedance 1000 Ω www.sennheiser.com

SHURE

With two ultra-thin diaphragms and ground-breaking reverse airflow technology, the KSM8 Dualdyne is the result of Shure’s 90 plus years in developing world-class microphones.

In 1939, the company developed the Unidyne cartridge, which became the world’s first single-element unidirectional microphone. In 1966, Shure took the Unidyne principle even further in the Unidyne III to create the SM58, which featured our unique pneumatic shock-mount system.

And that’s not where the story ends. Continuous evolution and innovation is at the very heart of our company culture at Shure. Technology continues to evolve, and manufacturing techniques improve, making old products more efficient, and new designs possible. Enter the Dualdyne microphone capsule, first introduced in our KSM8 dynamic microphone. The KSM8 Dualdyne is the world’s first dual diaphragm dynamic

handheld microphone – a ground-breaking feat of engineering that represents a major leap in microphone technology, just like Unidyne was in 1939.

Not to be confused with dual-element microphone technology, KSM8 Dualdyne features two ultra-thin diaphragms in a single element that receives the entire frequency range. The second diaphragm sits in the microphone resistance network to help control proximity effect. To achieve this, Shure undertook a massive engineering project spanning seven years to reverse the airflow of a dynamic mic. The result is a new dynamic microphone design that produces virtually no proximity effect, has a huge sweet spot, and boasts a textbook cardioid polar pattern. For the artists and engineer, this feature-set translates into minimal requirement for EQ and processing, more natural sounding off-axis stage bleed, and greater performance freedom.

This advancement in technology marks a significant milestone in both microphone history and Shure’s continuous journey in the pursuit of perfection.

Current users include the likes of X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, Biffy Clyro, Blossoms, Lewis Capaldi and the Mamma Mia Theatre Show. www.shure.com

AUDIO-TECHNICA

The Audio-Technica ATW-C5400 is an interchangeable cardioid condenser mic capsule for use with the company’s latest 5000 and 3000 Series handheld transmitters (the T5202 and T3202). It’s the wireless version of the popular AE5400 wired mic from Audio-Technica’s Artist Elite range. The C5400’s condenser element is designed to deliver studio-like sound quality with a very natural, accurate response, providing the same sound characteristics as the renowned AT4050 studio condenser on which it’s based. While the sound might resemble that of a studio model, the C5400’s cardioid polar pattern ensures good isolation of the desired sound source on crowded stages, reducing pickup from the sides and rear, while the

multi-stage grille design offers excellent protection against plosives and sibilance without compromising high-frequency clarity.

Employing an industry standard thread mount, the C5400 capsule allows use with other compatible wireless systems, allowing users access to the distinctive performance of Audio-Technica’s flagship condenser capsule with an existing wireless inventory.

Among the artists currently using the Audio-Technica C5400 capsule for vocals include James Bay, Barbra Streisand and rising star Saara Aalto. www.audio-technica.com

DPA MICROPHONES

The ability to deliver studio quality sound on a live stage is a key reason why so many top artists are switching to DPA’s d:facto Vocal Microphone. In addition, this versatile microphone is adept at dealing with the high SPLs that come with close mouth placement, making it ideal for artists who like to ‘cup’ their mic when they sing or rap.

Designed to give artists unlimited possibilities for their performance and equally at home in sound reinforcement or recording applications, DPA’s d:facto offers an extraordinarily natural sound, superior gain before feedback and extreme sound level handling of 160 dB. As with all DPA microphones, the d:facto is superbly linear in frequency and phase, both on- and off-axis, while its impressive definition and accuracy reproduces a singer’s voice effortlessly. It also has a robust three-stage pop protection grid that ensures the removal of unwanted noise. d:facto’s ability to handle the high SPLs that come with close mouth placement have made it extremely popular with artists such as US hip-hop star Post Malone. It is also ideal for Beatboxers who need a microphone that can accurately pick up and reproduce transients, be easily cleaned to remove spit and has the durability to withstand harsh treatment on stage.

For these reasons Swissbeatbox, the world’s largest Beatbox platform with over 2.1 million YouTube subscribers, recently chose DPA as its official partner and is now using d:facto Vocal Microphones at all of its events, including its annual Grand Beatbox Battle.

The d:facto Vocal Microphone is a firm favourite with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Sting, Céline Dion, Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith, MØ, Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol), Leo Sayer and many more.

”Artists enjoy hearing themselves naurally because d:facto doesn’t add any of the artifacts you typially find with a vocal mic,” said DPA’s Product

Manager René Moerch. “The microphone delivers the sound they expect to hear in their monitors or in-ears, thus freeing them to use their voice as naturally as they would if they were singing without a microphone. d:facto allows them use their talents to the full, without compromise, because it unveils their full potential by cutting right through the mix and delivering clean, undistorted vocals.” d:facto’s modular nature means the same microphone head can be employed for both wired and wireless use, leaving performers free to choose the configuration that best suits their needs. They can also choose their preferred wireless system because DPA’s state of the art adapters allow d:facto to integrate seamlessly with brands such as Sony, Lectrosonics, Shure, Wisycom and Sennheiser. www.dpamicrophones.com

AKG

The Harman Professional Solutions AKG C636 Microphone is an innovated updated model of the legendary C535 model which has been built for today’s high demands on stage. The AKG C636 Master Reference condenser microphone has already received an award for best Sound Reinforcement Microphone at the 33rd TEC Awards at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show. This model offers pure studio sound that AKG are renowned for, in a worry-free durable casing. This product has been designed to focus purely on the vocal performance.

The AKG C636’s proprietary double shock suspension system offers unparalleled rejection of handling noise even during the most energetic on-stage performances, and doubles-down on keeping the performance flawless by incorporating a state-of-the-art, multi-layer pop noise rejection system to eliminate plosives and a consistent, cardioid polar pattern that eliminates feedback. Additionally, its capsule sits on a highly absorbent rubber bearing, eliminating any structure-based noise, while an adjustable

balancing network cancels vibrations over a wide frequency range. It is also important to note there is a C636 WL1 microphone head designed to work with the HT4500 and DHT800hand-held transmitters, letting the on stage studio sound go cable free, add this to the hand-¬selected components that are manually tuned, the results are a pure transparent tone. www.uk.akg.com

SE ELECTRONICS

The V7 MC1 brings the powerful sound and performance of SE’s V7 handheld wired dynamic microphone to compatible Shure wireless transmitters. The DMC7 dynamic capsule in the V7 MC1 has been customdeveloped for a crisp, open sound that perfectly captures the human voice in a supremely natural way on stage, thanks to its specialised aluminium voice coil - and its sophisticated supercardioid capsule design helps isolate the voice from other instruments, ensuring vast amounts of gain before feedback. Proven Neodymium magnets, tight production tolerances and high-end workmanship ensure excellent sensitivity, superior sound quality and superb consistency.

The V7 MC1’s innovative, patented shockmount also efficiently decouples the capsule from mechanical vibration, providing exceptionally

low handling noise as compared to other capsules in its class. This means the artist can feel free to move around on stage without fear of rumbles, pops, or anything other than their voice coming through.

The V7 MC1 BLACK is also available if a more subtle on-stage appearance is desired.

Introduced less than 2 years ago, the V7 MC1 and its wired counterpart have already found their way into use with many of the world’s biggest touring artists including Justin Timberlake, Big Sean, Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, Cardi B, Chris Stapleton, Common, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Evanescence, and many more. Their FOH engineers choose the V7 MC1 for its outstanding resistance to feedback, stunningly natural sound quality, and superior off-axis rejection.

“It rejected better, it sounded more like Justin’s voice when we handed it over to him...it just makes our job a lot easier. We really love the capsule, it’s been great,” said Andy Meyer, FOH Engineer for Justin Timberlake. Billie Eilish’s FOH Engineer Drew Thornton said, “It’s a breath of fresh air to have a mic that is not only a dynamic capsule with great rejection, but to also have a very smooth high mid response with a nice airy top end makes it a force to be reckoned with. It also responds very well to cupping, which is helpful in keeping a more consistent vocal tone. I am a huge fan of the V7!”

All in all, the V7 MC1 makes an engineer’s job that much easier by preventing feedback, significantly reducing handling noise, and letting the audience hear the artist’s voice the way it’s meant to be heard natural and crystal-clear. www.seelectronics.com

AUDIX MICROPHONES

The VX5 is a professional vocal condenser microphone designed for a wide variety of live, studio and broadcast applications. With an ability to duplicate studio quality sound on stage, the VX5 is known for its smooth and accurate frequency response, resistance to feedback, and ability to handle very high sound pressure levels without distortion. With a wide frequency range of 40 Hz - 16.5 kHz, the VX5 has a very clean and natural sound with exceptional transient response. The VX5 is durable, well

balanced, comfortable to hold, and its extended onaxis reach perfect for performers who like to work the microphone.

The VX5 features a tight, uniformly controlled supercardioid polar pattern which helps to isolate the vocals from the rest of the instruments on stage. Other features include a 14mm gold vapor diaphragm, an acoustically ported steel mesh grill with multi-stage pop filter and a -10dB pad and bass roll-off filter. The VX5 will handle sound pressure levels in excess of 140dB (with pad and roll-off engaged) and will provide over 20dB of ambient noise rejection on live stages.

In addition to vocal applications, the VX5 is ideally suited to capture acoustic instruments such as guitar, woodwinds, brass, percussion toys, drum overheads, hi-hat and piano. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for studio recording.

Designed with very high standards and tight tolerances, the VX5 is manufactured with a precision die-cast zinc alloy body, durable black E-coat finish and gold plated XLR connector. The VX5 is also available in wireless. www.audixusa.com