Josephson Engineering
Josephson C42
Small-diaphragm cardioid condenser, transformerless discrete class-A output; stainless steel body
Power Phantom 48 V (works from 24 V).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −41.4 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 21 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 19%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 19%
- Max SPL
- 135 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 40%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 36%
- Rated range
- 40 – 20k Hz
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 15% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 38% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 1.
Untitled graph on the data sheet, relative dB, 2 dB per division, 40 Hz to 20 kHz labelled; the specs give the response "at 60 cm" as "40-20,000 Hz ±2 dB from curve", so this is taken as the curve at 60 cm. Room, smoothing and whether it is typical are not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −41.4 dBV/Pa (8.5 mV/Pa)Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as "Output Level, mV/Pa 8.5"; converted: 20·log10(0.0085) = -41.4. | p. 1 |
| Self-noise | 21 dB(A)at most. "Equivalent Noise Level, A-weighted ≤21 dB". | |
| Max SPL | 135 dB SPLwith P48 power. "Maximum SPL (with P48 power) 135 dB"; it works from 24 V phantom "with some limitation in maximum SPL". | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohm"50Ω (recommended load ≥1KΩ)". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrecommended minimum. "recommended load ≥1KΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHz±2 dB from curve, at 60 cm. "Frequency Response (at 60 cm) 40-20,000 Hz ±2 dB from curve". | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V (works from 24 V)"P48 phantom power, 4.5 mA"; "it will function with phantom power as low as 24 volts". | |
| Current draw | 4.5 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male (pin 2 hot)"3 pin XLR type, pin 2 positive polarity". | |
| Weight | 80 g"80 grams (< 3 ounces)". | |
| Dimensions | 98 × 21 mmLength x diameter: "21mm diameter, 98mm long". | |
| Finish | satin machined stainless steel (the C42MP pair: matte black chrome) | |
| Electronics | A selected discrete FET driving a fully balanced symmetrical transformerless discrete class-A output stage; low enough output impedance for very long cable runs | |
| Temperature range | -10 to +50 °C | |
| Stereo kit | C42MP: a matched pair of C42s in matte black chrome with a hard shell case | |
| ApplicationsJosephson | Spot miking acoustic and amplified instruments, drums and drum overheads, ensemble and choir, concert recording, sound effects and vocals | |
Documents
- Series Four Studio & Stage Microphones: C42data sheet
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Josephson Engineering, unchanged, with its original address.