For your recording sessions, it is important to have the right microphone , whether in the studio or in your home. Among the best microphones is the condenser microphone . Find out everything about it in this article.
Product overview T.Bone SC 400
The T.Bone SC 400 microphone is a condenser microphone or condenser microphone , designed especially for beginners in sound recording. The T.Bone SC 400 is composed of a capsule which contains a very thin gold-plated diaphragm . picture very good quality sound , like more expensive and more professional microphones like the Blue Yeti or that of a Canon microphone .
The T.Bone SC 400 microphone also includes a low-cut filter electrical circuit connections can be moved or modified . As condenser microphones are very sensitive, this one has a shock mount to protect it from handling noise .
This microphone is also known for being a very versatile condenser microphone . Indeed, the T.Bone SC 400 has a linear frequency curve which makes it the perfect device for vocal recording and musical instrument recording. accompanying low cut at around 100 Hz reduces shock and breathing noise during recordings.
It also comes with microphone shockmounts so that mechanical vibrations do not disturb recordings.
If you are taking your first steps into the world of sound reinforcement and recording, the T.Bone SC 400 microphone is an ideal tool. If you have problems with your professional microphone. You can use this as a spare wheel. It can also be used with another microphone like the T.Bone SC 400 in a stereo configuration to record drums or pianos.
Please note that the T.Bone SC 400 microphone is not a USB microphone. It is therefore not ideal for recording at home if you are not equipped with the right equipment.
Zoom on the sound quality of T.Bone SC 400
The large diaphragm of the T.Bone SC 400 microphone allows it to be very sensitive and precise in the rendering of sounds . Its proximity effect is felt well when listening, that is to say that the more you are in front of the T.Bone SC 400 microphones, the warmer your voice is.
This proximity effect always applies regardless of the sound source: guitar, piano, drums, etc. Thanks to this diaphragm, the T.Bone SC 400 microphone has great versatility . Which makes it an essential microphone for every studio. It is also very popular among podcasters thanks to its radio .
The T.Bone SC 400 microphone has a slight deviation in its frequency response. Which adds a light touch of shine that you may recognize in professional recordings.
With its supercardioid polar pattern , the T.Bone SC 400 microphone limits unwanted background noise that does not come from the main sound source.
What is a supercardioid polar pattern?
A polar pattern is a kind of directivity of a microphone. A directivity is the space that surrounds the microphone and where its sensitivity is highest. There are three main polar patterns: omnidirectional, figure eight, and cardioid.
The supercardioid polar pattern is similar to a cardioid polar pattern , but its sensitivity area is narrower or even non-existent at the rear. A cardioid polar pattern (like the Sontronics STC-20 Pack microphone ) has a large area of sensitivity on the front , very little on the sides and insensitive at the back.
Be careful, you should not confuse a supercardioid microphone with an omnidirectional microphone . The latter results from a mixture of two cardioid signals.
Since this microphone is very sensitive, it requires little to no use of a preamp. However, quality sound requires all the equipment a studio needs. It is then better to use a microphone preamplifier .
T.Bone SC 400 Microphone Diaphragm
Being a condenser microphone, the diaphragm of this mic is a circular plate , also called a capsule . This capsule can be of different sizes: small, medium or large. For the SC 400, it is very wide for very precise sound reproduction . This large size of the circular plate also allows a very good signal-to-noise ratio .
When the sound source passes through the diaphragm, vibrations occur in such a way as to create an electric current in the capsule.
These types of circular plate mic require an external power supply. This is usually 48 Volt phantom power. This is the case here with the T.Bone SC 400 microphone.
The technical characteristics of T.Bone SC 400
The technical characteristics of a microphone make this tool an asset for your recording sessions. Here are the technical details of the T.Bone SC 400 microphone:
- Polar pattern: supercardioid
- Frequency response between 20 and 20,000 Hz ,
- Sensitivity: 23.3 mV/Pascal
- Microphone volume: 18 dB
- Output impedance: 200 Ohms
- Sound pressure or sound pressure limited to 132 dB
- Internal low-cut filter switch: 100 Hz 6 dB slope ,
- Phantom power supply greater than 48 Volts
- Spider-type suspension
What is phantom power?
Phantom power is a DC power supply system driven by microphone cables. It is usually required for condenser mics, but ribbon mics and some dynamic microphones also use it as a power source .
When to use the T.Bone SC 400 microphone?
The advantage of condenser microphones like the T.Bone SC 400 is that they only pick up sound in the direction you point it. It is therefore obvious that it is mainly used for sound recording . However, it can also be used for several events:
- To amplify a battery
A drum kit is made up of several elements so close together that it is very difficult, almost impossible, to isolate each sound. But with supercardioid microphones like the T.Bone SC 400, positioned in the right places, every sound is perfectly perceptible .
- To add sound to concerts
The T.Bone SC 400 makes a very good external microphone . In those events where it is very difficult to isolate a specific sound from other external noise, a supercardioid microphone like this can be a solution.
- To reduce sound reflections
If you are planning to use a room as your recording room, it is very important that this room undergoes acoustic treatments . Place the T.Bone SC 400 microphones close to each other to help you with this treatment. You can then use your pro microphone for future recording sessions.
Small note : Also discover our test guide for the Sennheiser MKH 416 microphone . It is a condenser microphone with a supercardioid/lobe polar pattern. Discover in this guide the complete presentation, quality and technical characteristics of this microphone.
How does a condenser microphone work?
To understand how a condenser microphone works, it is essential to start with how a microphone works in general.
A microphone is a device that converts sound (or acoustic source) into an electrical signal . There are two main types of microphone: the dynamic microphone and the condenser microphone or condenser microphone. Later, other varieties of microphones emerged, such as the condenser microphone , ribbon microphone , USB mic , boom mic , and gooseneck.
A dynamic microphone receives sound on a membrane or diaphragm . Thanks to the vibrations, a moving coil to which the membrane is attached moves around a magnet to produce the electric current.
The condenser microphone works in a bit the same way since it also captures sound through a membrane. But instead of moving a coil , this membrane or diaphragm moves towards a metal-backed plate to form a capacitor.
And what about other condenser microphones?
A static or condenser microphone is specifically designed for a dynamic instrument . But it can be used very well for acoustic instruments . The T.Bone SC 400 microphone is one of the least expensive microphones in its category, yet it is not one of the best. Here are other condenser microphones to help you choose the best one for your needs:
SE Electronics X1S
This microphone from SE Electronics also has a large diaphragm which is very practical for sound reception and bandwidth. Its specificity is to have a cleanable anti-pop filter .
Its directivity is cardioid, like the majority of condenser microphones. This microphone is especially appreciated for the neutral sound it produces and its light weight for easy transport.
Rode NT1-A
The NT1-A from Rode is a microphone with an impedance of only 100 Ohms and a sound pressure of 137 dB . When you purchase this microphone from Rode NT, you also get a spider mount with an included pop filter.
This is a very versatile microphone . It eliminates hiss during recordings and offers excellent bass reproduction. However, this microphone is weaker for high-pitched vocal performances. Also, it is not very stable in power supply over time.
Neumann TLM 103
The Neumann brand is very renowned in the world of sound systems and audio interfaces. This brand offers several ranges of microphones, of which the Neumann TLM 102 condenser microphone is one of these great works.
The sensitivity of this microphone is what differentiates it the most from the others since it is 11 mV/Pascal . It also has a fairly low nominal impedance , of only 50 Ohms .
Other products from T.Bone
The T.Bone brand also designs other ranges of microphones in addition to the T.Bone SC 400. Here are some examples:
T.Bone DC 1,500
The T.Bone DC 1 500 is a box of four body microphones. Every microphone is designed to last. They are therefore solid and very elegant . The microphone set produces smooth and clear sounds that meet all your recording requirements. The set also includes a carrying case to store the four microphones between uses.
T.Bone DC 4000
This range of microphones is also a microphone set, but they are drum-based. The microphone cabinet includes: a supercardioid dynamic microphone (like the Shure Super 55 Deluxe mic ) for the kick drum, four dynamic snare and tom microphones, and two overhead microphones. This is a drum microphone .
T.Bone GM 55
The T.Bone GM 55 microphone is a dynamic microphone of the Elvis model . It is specially a microphone for vocals with a head joint. During your concerts with retro or glamorous themes, the T.Bone GM 55 microphone makes a very good accessory.
Although it is above all appreciated for its vintage appearance, the T.Bone GM 55 microphone also has characteristics that should not be taken lightly. It has a maximum SPL of 155 dB with a sensitivity of 2.4 mV/Pascal .
When you purchase this microphone, it comes with a plastic storage case, a metal tabletop tripod, and a 5/8'' tripod connector.
Our Overall Opinion
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Our opinion on the T.Bone SC 400 microphone
For a product made in China, this T.Bone SC 400 condenser microphone does not live up to its reputation for low quality at all. Indeed, it is a very robust microphone which offers very clear and precise sounds. It works very well for a very wide frequency, both in high frequencies and in low frequencies.
The T.Bone SC 400 microphone reproduces sound very well. It is therefore a preferred microphone for high-pitched sounds, but it also works very well in low-pitched voices.
Plus, it doesn't come on its own. With your T.Bone SC 400 microphone comes a protective case and a shock mount.
However, this microphone does not only have advantages. Due to its high sensitivity, it can record any background noise. You should therefore not move too much during recording to avoid unpleasant noises in your production. It is also better to use a windshield or wind filter to protect the diaphragm.
T.Bone SC 400 Demo
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