Sony
Sony C-38B
Large-diaphragm condenser (FET output stage), cardioid or omni, battery or phantom powered, with low-cut, high-cut and pad switches
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power 9 V battery (006P) or external DC 24-48 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −48 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 12%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 37%
- Self-noise
- 24 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 11%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 10%
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 62%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 30 – 18k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 3% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 1% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 60% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2.
"Frequency Response Characteristics", "Uni-Directional"; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated. The 0° line is labelled "M" (full range).
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2. Approximate
"Directivity Characteristics" beside the "Uni-Directional" response; 0° at the top, 5 dB per ring. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB; some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 400 Hz, 6k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −48 dBV/Pa1 kHz; ±2 dB. "-48.0dB ±2.0dB" (0 dB = 1 V/1 Pa, at 1 kHz). Same in the Japanese sheet. Not stated per pattern. | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 24 dB(A)or less; weighting not stated. "Inherent noise 24dB SPL or less". The weighting is not given, but 94 dB minus the A-weighted S/N of 70 dB gives the same figure. | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPLpad off; distortion criterion not stated. "Max.input sound pressure level 140dB SPL"; the Japanese sheet adds パッドOFF時 (pad off). | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 70 dBor more; A-weighted, 1 kHz, 1 Pa. "Signal-to-noise Ratio (a weighted,1 kHz,1 Pa.) 70dB or more". | |
| Dynamic range | 116 dBor more. "Dynamic range 116dB or more". | |
| Output impedance | 250 ohmat 1 kHz, balanced; ±20%. "250 Ω±20%". | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 18 kHz"30 Hz to 18 kHz"; no tolerance given. | |
| Powering | 9 V battery (006P) or external DC 24-48 V"9 V Battery or External Power"; "External Power: DC 24 to 48V". The Japanese sheet gives the external supply as DC 48 V. | |
| Current draw | 5 mAexternal power; or less; also 2 mA, battery; or less. "Current drain Battery: 2 mA or less, External Power: 5 mA or less". | |
| Low cut | M, M1, V1, V2"Tone control Low-cut: M, M1, V1, V2". The function select switch (p. 1) has five positions: "OFF; M (full range response); M1 (slight low frequency attenuation); V1 (low frequency attenuation); and V2 (severe low frequency attenuation)"; OFF switches the power off. No corner frequencies given; the response graph shows the curves. | |
| Pad | −8 dB"Mic attenuator -8dB". | |
| Switches | high-cut: off, on"Tone control ... High-cut: 1" (one high-cut position). Not graphed with a label. | |
| Connector | XLR-3-12C typealso XLR-3-11C type (female), Japanese sheet. US sheet: "Microphone connector XLR-3-12C type". The Japanese sheet gives 出力端子 XLR-3-11Cタイプ（凹） (female), and says a 6 m cable comes with it; the two disagree. | |
| Weight | 650 gapprox.; without battery. "Approx. 1 lb 7 oz (650 g)". The Japanese sheet: 約650g (without cable). | |
| Dimensions | 78 × 214 × 46 mm"3 1/8 dia. x 8 1/2 x 1 13/16 inches (78 dia. x 214 x 46 mm)": width (head diameter) x height x depth. The Japanese sheet: 約78×214×46mm (W×H×D, excluding projections). | |
| Supplied accessories | carrying case; stand adaptor (NS5/8); stand adaptor (W3/8); screwdriver; operation manual"Supplied Accessories". The Japanese sheet lists the screwdriver as for the pattern switch, and no stand adaptors. | |
| Effective output level | -47.8 dBm (0 dBm = 1 mW/1 Pa), at 1 kHz | |
| Induction noise from external magnetic field | 5 dB SPL or less (per 1×10⁻⁷ T) | |
| Wind noise | 44 dB SPL or less | |
| Battery life | approx. 200 h (9 V battery) | |
| Microphone cable | 6 m (19.7 ft); 5.8 mm, 2-core shielded | |
| From the spec sheet | ||
| Finish | Satin nickel plating and grey baked paint外装仕上げ処理：メッキ処理（サテンニッケル色）および焼付塗装（グレー）. | p. 1 |
| Stand thread | PF 1/2 | |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 60 °C (storage -20 to +60 °C) | |
Documents
- C-38B Condenser MicrophoneA-1163
- コンデンサーマイクロホン C-38B 仕様書specifications and outline drawing
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Sony, unchanged, with its original address.