ST6050
Guitar Center Professional, the outside sales division of Guitar Center that focuses on the needs of professional users, previews the result of a new Sterling Audio and Ocean Way Recording partnership, a specially designed signature-edition condenser microphone that is ideal for modern artists, producers and engineers. Voiced by engineer/producer and multiple Grammy recipient Allen Sides, the ST6050 was inspired by Ocean Way’s expansive collection of microphones. By combining classic capsule and FET design with modern manufacturing techniques, the ST6050 yields stunning clarity with a rich, warm, open sound and a silky top end that exquisitely captures vocals and acoustic instruments.
The capsule on the ST6050 is one inch in diameter, 8-microns thick and gold-sputtered, built with traditional machining and exceptionally tight manufacturing tolerances. Each is hand-assembled and tested. Select modernization of traditional FET design results in exceptional consistency and extremely tight component tolerances. Optimized PCB ground planes increase RFI/EMI rejection. The ST6050 has a robust transformer design with side-by-side windings that yield an even low-frequency response while maintaining openness and top-end air. The chassis comprises a chrome-plated, woven-brass grille with a steel head frame, plus a heavy brass body with chrome-plated closing ring.
The ST6050 microphone package includes a SM-7 shockmount, attractive wood storage case and windscreen. The Sterling ST6050 has an MSRP of $1,699.99 and will be available for pre-orders through GC Pro for shipment in January.
Ocean Way HR-3
Ocean Way also debuts the HR-3 high-resolution reference monitor system. Intended as a high-definition reference point to sonically judge and discern intricate musical balances for final mixes, the Ocean Way HR-3 monitors were designed by Allen Sides, the Grammy Award-–winning engineer, producer and mixer who founded Ocean Way Recording.
The two sides from 1k to 20k typically fall within 1 dB of each other, creating absolute symmetry in regard to stereo imaging. The HR-3’s uniform dispersion, coupled with very smooth off-axis response from its 15-inch mid-bass driver, allows for a very wide listening window, helping to eliminate the narrow “sweet spot” effect. The HR-3’s twin 12-inch subwoofers also produce extended and detailed low end to 20 Hz. The unit’s power handling is 800 watts continuous for the twin sub-bass woofers, 400W continuous for the mid-bass woofers and 100W continuous (650 Hz and up) for the high-frequency driver. The HR-3 is capable of producing a maximum SPL of more than 110 dB at 6 feet, 20-20k Hz.
AES Booth #839.
