S3-47 Microphone Kit

The S3-47 is our flagship transformerless K47-style microphone. Key features include:

• Our best-selling RK-47 capsule
• Our finest transformerless circuit (based on Schoeps)
• 3-way pattern switch (Cardioid / Omni / Figure-8)
• -10dB pad switch

The S3-47 is a 3-pattern version of our popular S-47 microphone kit.

Applications

The S3-47 excels at adding weight to thin or sibilant sources. Its forward mids and neutral top end provide a welcome sonic contrast to the hyped profile of most commercial mics under $1000. The S3-47 excels at:

• Vocals (male and female)
• Acoustic guitar
• Electric guitar cab
• Bass cabinet
• Strings

See also the "S-47" column of the application guide.

Circuit Description and Options

The S3-47 uses the latest version of our premium transformerless circuit. It is made entirely with superior parts and practices. For example, every JFET is individually selected and manually biased in our shop to ensure maximum gain and minimal distortion. The primary signal caps are polypropylene types, because they sound better. Resistors are 1% tolerance, audio quality, low-noise parts. All the "mods" and upgrades that people like to do to the Schoeps transformerless circuit have already been done.

The S3's circuit is unique for not using internal wiring. The switches are soldered directly to the main circuit board, rather than mounted to a small standalone board that would need to be wired to the audio board, introducing complexity and possible signal loss. We've kept audio traces as short as possible, and as we always do, isolated the high-impedance circuit above the circuit board. We do not compromise the sound or performance of the mic for convenience!

What's in the box?

The S3-47 kit includes:

• The S3 microphone body, with tapered grille (satin nickel plated finish) and XLR3 insert. The front of the mic is marked with a brass "MP" diamond logo badge.
  
• Our TL3 circuit kit.
• The RK-47 capsule
• Comprehensive, full-color, step-by-step installation instructions.
• A rigid plastic, foam-line storage case.
• Elastic shockmount.

Not ready for DIY?

We sell the S3-47 as a finished microphone also; see our MP-47 microphone (which is also available in a Platinum edition).