SONY ECM-957PRO
March 2008—Field recordists will love Sony’s (www.sony.com/proaudio ECM-957PRO ($449.95) battery-powered stereo mic. It features M/S recording via two elements, one of which can be rotated to make the mic either front- or side-address and change the directivity from 90 to 120 degrees. The built-in M/S decoder and single AA battery operation ensures that this will be a popular item for recording on the go. Other features include a 50-18k Hz frequency response, max 115dB SPL handling, dynamic range exceeding 90 dB and an integrated 5-pin stereo XLR output connector.
SONY ECM-680S
June 2007—Sony (www.sony.com/proaudio) unveiled the feather-light ECM-680S, which can function as a shotgun, stereo or mono mic. If one side of the stereo feed goes out, the mic adjusts and sends the output as dual mono for worry-free field recording.
SONY F780/9X
July 2005—The F780/9X ($400) from Sony Pro Audio is an enhanced version of its top-of-the-line F780 dynamic vocal microphone. Intended for critical vocal reproduction, the F780/9X features a hypercardioid capsule with a rigid structure, high sensitivity and low mechanical noise. A urethane coating on the F780/9X’s body yields extremely low handling noise. Frequency response is 50 to 18k Hz and impedance is 400 ohms.
SONY C-38B
January 2004—The Sony C-38B mic is now available in the U.S. When
it was first introduced in 1965, the original C-38 was the world’s
first Field Effects Transistor (FET) microphone. The mic was then
updated in 1969 to the model C-38A with a change in the windscreen
design, and again in 1971 to the C-38B by adding phantom power (9-volt
battery or external DC 24V to 48V). The C-38B features 30-18k Hz
frequency response, selectable pattern (cardioid or omni) and a dynamic
range of 116 dB. Price: $2,200.
SONY C-38B REISSUE
November 2003—The 1965 Sony C-38 was the world’s first FET mic,
which after a few minor changes sold more than 65,000 units worldwide.
Now, the famed dual-pattern (cardioid/omni) condenser C-38B is back at
AES NYC as a faithful $2,200 reissue.
SONY ECM-88 LAVALIER
October 2002—Sony Electronics introduces a comprehensive range of
new mic products. Sony’s new ECM-88 lavalier electret condenser
microphone integrates unique technology in its miniature microphone
capsule by incorporating a dual-diaphragm structure. The ECM-88 offers
extremely low handling noise and unparalleled high sound quality.
SONY F-780/9X
June 2001—Sony’s F-780/9X ($375) handheld dynamic mic is an improved version of the company’s F-780, its previous top-of-the-line dynamic vocal mic. An improved capsule design, tightened unidirectional polar pattern and a new urethane coating for lower handling noise further enhance this mic’s performance.
