Sony
Sony C-800G
Large-diaphragm tube condenser (6AU6A), cardioid or omni, with built-in thermoelectric cooling
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power AC-MC800G power supply (120 V AC; about 65 W).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −32 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 83%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 88%
- Self-noise
- 18 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 33%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 32%
- Max SPL
- 131 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 24%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 22%
- Rated range
- 20 – 18k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 77% 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 13% 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 29% 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.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
2 of 3; all under Recommended for.
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.
That unit is from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (CC BY 4.0), measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.
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: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 100 Hz, 10k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −32 dBV/Pacardioid; 1 kHz; also −35 dBV/Pa, omni. Printed "-32.0dB/Pa"; page 1 says "-28dB/Pa", which the table does not support. | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A)cardioid; less than; IEC 651, A-weighted; also 21 dB(A), omni | |
| Max SPL | 131 dB SPLcardioid; 1 kHz, 1% distortion; also 134 dB SPL, omni | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 76 dBcardioid; or more; 1 kHz, 1 Pa, A-weighted; also 73 dB, omni | |
| Dynamic range | 113 dBor more | |
| Output impedance | 100 ohm1 kHz, ±20%, balanced | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 18 kHzPrinted "20 Hz to 18.000 kHz". | |
| Powering | AC-MC800G power supply (120 V AC; about 65 W)The mic draws 35 W through the supply. | |
| Connector | 7-pin JR16RK-7P on the mic; XLR-3 out of the power supply | |
| Weight | 900 gapprox. | |
| Dimensions | 57 × 191 × 237 mm"57 dia. x 191 x 237 mm". | |
| Supplied accessories | wind screen; cradle suspension; two stand screw adaptors; 8 m 7-pin mic cable; carrying case; frequency response chart (2) | |
| Vacuum tube | 6AU6A | |
| Cooling | Built-in thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling with heat pipe and heat sink, for lower noise | p. 1 |
| Body | Two-part aluminium body against acoustic vibration | |
| Power supply | AC-MC800G: 214 x 105 x 306 mm, 5.4 kg | p. 2 |
Documents
- C-800G Vacuum Tube Condenser MicrophoneA-1164
- Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response DatasetJuan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Sony, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.