S3-67 Microphone

Features

• 34mm (large diaphragm) dual-sided, dual-backplate, K67-style condenser capsule
• 3 way pattern switch: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
• Switchable 10dB pad
• Tapered, 2-layer brass mesh grille
• 60mm elastic shockmount
• Plastic storage case

Description

The S3-67 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone built by hand in the US (using the best components we can find from all around the world). It uses our exclusive K67D capsule, which is unique among all K67 capsules in the world because it does not need corrective EQ. The mic's circuit is electronically balanced (transformerless). 

The microphone has high sensitivity, very low distortion, and low self-noise. It has a neutral, unhyped, uncolored tone that works well on a wide variety of sources -- from voiceover to foley to drums and guitars.

The mic's frequency response is essentially flat from 60 Hz to 12kHz, which is also true of the S3-87. These two models differ in frequency response in subtle but audible ways:

• The S3-67 is slightly leaner in the bass frequencies (below 100 Hz).
• The S3-67 has a broad, shallow dip (-2dB) centered at 6kHz. The S3-87 is flatter in this region.
• The S3-67 has a more gradual rolloff above 10kHz than the S3-87, because the circuit is linear to beyond 20kHz. 

Neither of these mics is "bright" or "hyped" or harsh in any way. Both are flatter than most K67 based LDCs. 

The S3-67 ships with a an elastic shockmount and a hard plastic storage case.

Specifications

Origins and Components

The circuit is our highly optimized version of the transformerless design pioneered by Schoeps. We manufacture and populate the circuit boards in the US, using the finest components in the world. Resistors are very low noise; resistors in the balanced audio path are matched to 1% or better. Output transistors are NOS devices selected for fidelity and matched. Signal path capacitors are high-grade film types. Electrolytic capacitors are our own OEM components, based on the Black Gate recipe.

The headbasket is a tapered design that we modeled after the Neumann M49/M50 grille. We make it with 2 layers of mesh, as that gives the best compromise between sonic transparency and blast/EMI/RFI protection.

All these great parts come together to create a slick-looking, very sensitive (~30mV/Pa), very low-noise (~10dBA) studio microphone with wide bandwidth and neutral tonality.

In the Box

The S3-67 ships with a metal-frame elastic shockmount and a padded plastic suitcase. The mic is warrantied against defects for 90 days.

Availability

These microphones are built to order in our US headquarters. Allow 3-5 business days for assembly, testing, burn-in, and final QC. Click here for the latest news about custom mic ordering times.