Series Seven microphones provide unprecedented flexibility, as the directional pattern of the mic can be adjusted in use, during or after recording. The Josephson C700A microphones include omni/pressure and figure-8/gradient capsules, each with adiscrete output. The signals can be recorded on separate tracks, so the pattern can be selected in mixdown. Pattern control is only one advantage of this technique. applying different equalization or dynamic control to the capsule signals makes entirely different mic characteristics – for instance the warmth of a gradient mic used close up for vocals might be combined with the transparency of a pressure mic in the highs, by rolling off the high frequencies in the gradient signal and the lows in the pressure signal before they are combined. The C700A (shown) includes two capsules in one housing, a 16mm omni element similar to the KA11 capsule in the Series Six, and a 26mm figure-8 capsule. Completely neutral electronics, using the same cascode FET input, class-A active balanced output circuit found in the Series Six, are provided for each signal. Any directional pattern from omni to figure-8 may be selected by controlling the ratio of pressure to gradient signals.
The capsule assembly in the Series Seven is internally shock mounted, so that the mic may be attached directly to a stand through its yoke mount without any external accessories.
Josephson Engineering C700A's specifications
Specifications common to C700 series
Pressure and pressure gradient condenser microphone transducers
Variable directional pattern achieved by mixing output signals
Frequency range 20-20,000 Hz ±2 dB from reference curve
Sensitivity –41 dB ref 1 V/Pa (9 mV/Pa) for each signal
Overload sound pressure 142 dB SPL at 1kΩ load for <1% THD
Equivalent noise level 15 dB SPL, A-weighted
Power supply P48 phantom, 4 mA per output
Diameter 63mm (100 mm wide at yoke), length 328 mm (C700A), 365 mm (C700S)
Output connector 5-pin XLR type (C700A), 7-pin XLR type (C700S)
Pattern selection C700A
Omni: all W
Subcardioid/hypocardioid: W with X mixed in about –6 dB
Cardioid: equal amounts of W and X
Supercardioid/hypercardioid: X with W mixed in about –6 dB
Figure 8: all X
To reverse direction (unidirectional patterns favoring the rear of the mic) invert phase of the X signal
Studio Economik New 500 series preamp from Geoffrey Daking featuring vintage Trident A Range tone, Jensen input transformer and Class A circuitry. The variable high pass filter is indispensable for tracking sessions!
