sE Electronics
sE8
Small-diaphragm cardioid condenser ("pencil")
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom, 48 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −32 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 83%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 88%
- Self-noise
- 13 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 67%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 68%
- Max SPL
- 139 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 58%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 53%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 86% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 79% 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 59% 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.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 4.
Titled "Frequency response"; distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and typical-vs-individual not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 4. Approximate
Two halves: 125 Hz to 1 kHz on the left, 2 to 16 kHz on the right; 0° at the top, 5 dB per ring labelled +5 to -25 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1.5 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Small-diaphragm true condenserDiaphragm size not stated. | p. 3 |
| Sensitivity | −32 dBV/Pa (25 mV/Pa)"25 mV/Pa (-32 dBV)". Frequency and load not stated. | |
| Self-noise | 13 dB(A)"Equivalent noise level 13 dB(A)". | |
| Max SPL | 139 dB SPL0.5% THD, no pad; also 149 dB SPL, 10 dB pad; also 159 dB SPL, 20 dB pad | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 81 dBReference not stated (94 dB SPL - 13 dB(A) = 81 dB). | |
| Output impedance | 110 ohm"Electrical impedance". | p. 4 |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmmore than. "Recommended load impedance >1k Ohms". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency range"; tolerance not stated. | p. 3 |
| Powering | phantom, 48 V (IEC 61938) | p. 4 |
| Current draw | 2.7 mA | |
| Low cut | off, 80 Hz, 160 Hz; 6 dB/octave"80 / 160 Hz, 6 dB/Oct, switchable"; switch on the front right: 80 Hz top, off centre, 160 Hz bottom. | p. 3 |
| Pad | −10 dBalso −20 dB, second position. "10 / 20 dB, switchable". | p. 4 |
| Connector | XLR-3 male | |
| Weight | 141 g4.97 oz. | |
| Dimensions | 120 × 23 mmLength × diameter. | |
| Supplied accessories | Mic clip (with thread adapter); Wind screenThe matched pair adds a stereo bar and a metal case. | p. 2 |
| Dynamic range | 126 / 136 / 146 dB (0 / 10 / 20 dB pad) | p. 3 |
| Output | Transformerless | p. 2 |
| Versions | Single, and matched pair (with stereo bar and metal case) | |
Documents
- sE8 user manual
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © sE Electronics, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.