Recording - June 2010 - 36

B Y PA U L V N U K J R .

Sontronics Orpheus
and Sigma microphones
A maker we’d like to know better,
and two mics we’re glad to have in our locker
visual style to mics on offer by companies such as Violet Design and a few others, Sontronics mics look more like a rare antique-store find. Unlike some less stellar Chinese mics, the Sontronics mics I was sent had an outstanding fit and finish; nothing was loose, thrown together or halfdone. They have a healthy weight to them and a very European quality. figure-8 patterns. It has a 1.07" dualdiaphragm capsule that is shock-mounted internally, inside of an abnormally large head basket that, according to Sontronics, helps add clarity by reducing internal reflections. This almost spherical silver grill measures about 3" x 3.5" and rests lollipop-style on top of a champagne-sparkle, rectangular Zinc alloy body (2.5" x 4.25" x 2"). The Zinc alloy helps reduce body resonances. This body rests in a vintage-style swing mount, reminiscent of a 1920s desktop mic, that attaches to your mic stand. Since the capsule is internally suspended, no shock mount is included (or available) with this design. On the front of the mic are two switches, one for pattern selection, the other a pad/boost switch. Unlike most mics with just a 10 dB pad, Orpheus also has the option of a 10 dB boost. The XLR input is located on the back of the mic, and while in some positions it may limit the throw of the swing mount, when used as a drum overhead, it actually reduces mic strain and aids in positioning. Orpheus is listed as having a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency response with a healthy 10 kHz presence peak and a low-end bump between 80 Hz down to about 40 Hz. It is listed as having a sensitivity of 20m V/Pa –34 dB ±2 dB (0 dB=1 V/Pa 1000 Hz), an impedance of ≤200 Ohms, a 16 dB (Aweighted) equivalent noise level and a max SPL of 125 dB. The song of Orpheus Sonically Orpheus falls into the modern/bright category, but rather than being piercing or harsh, it’s best described as open and wide, with the low bump as mentioned. I tried it on acoustic guitar, vocals, voiceover, trumpet, amplifier, drum overhead, and room mic applications. Orpheus was very well suited to acoustic guitar. It accommodates the low fullness of the body without being mushy or overbearing and does a great job of

We at Recording have been curious about Sontronics microphones for a few years now, but their distribution in the US was somewhat limited; luckily that all changed a few months ago with new distributorship and I was excited to finally get my hands on a couple of their designs. Launched in 2005 by Trevor Coley, Sontronics is a UK-based company that offers British-developed and -designed, Chinese-made microphones, and preamps made in Europe. The mic lineup includes the full range of styles and sizes from tube to FET to ribbon and more. Another “me too” line in an ocean of imports? A quick look around their website may change your mind. Distinct and solid This line of mics has a distinctive faux vintage look. I don’t mean microphones trying to look like famous vintage models; rather, an interesting “Art Deco meets 1920s RKO meets black and white sci-fi fantasy vibe”. While in a way similar in
36
RECORDING JUNE 2010

For this review I was sent the multi-pattern, solid-state Orpheus condenser and the phantom-powered Sigma active ribbon mic. These mics are on opposite sides of the sonic spectrum and could not be more different. Orpheus Orpheus is a FET-based multi-pattern condenser microphone with cardioid, omni and



Recording - June 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - June 2010

Recording - June 2010
Fade In
Contents
Talkback
Fast Forward
Cloud Microphones JRS-34-P, JRS-34, and Cloudlifter
Mics, Mechanisms, and Myths—A Meditation
DPA Microphones 4099 Series
Chandler Limited Little Devils
A Studio Miking Primer
Sontronics Orpheus and Sigma
Zoom Q3 Video Recorder
Superscope Elevation—A Walking Tour
Recording’s Guitar Column
Reviewed and Revisited: Ableton Live Intro
Recording’s Keyboard Column
Avid M-Audio Fast Track and Pro Tools M-Powered Essential
It’s Your Music—Know Your Rights. Chapter 3: Recording Issues
ART M-Three and M-Five Microphones
Shure SRH440 and SRH840 Headphones
Readers' Tapes
Advertiser Index
Fade Out
Recording - June 2010 - Recording - June 2010
Recording - June 2010 - Cover2
Recording - June 2010 - 1
Recording - June 2010 - Fade In
Recording - June 2010 - 3
Recording - June 2010 - Contents
Recording - June 2010 - 5
Recording - June 2010 - Talkback
Recording - June 2010 - 7
Recording - June 2010 - Fast Forward
Recording - June 2010 - 9
Recording - June 2010 - 10
Recording - June 2010 - 11
Recording - June 2010 - Cloud Microphones JRS-34-P, JRS-34, and Cloudlifter
Recording - June 2010 - 13
Recording - June 2010 - 14
Recording - June 2010 - 15
Recording - June 2010 - Mics, Mechanisms, and Myths—A Meditation
Recording - June 2010 - 17
Recording - June 2010 - 18
Recording - June 2010 - 19
Recording - June 2010 - 20
Recording - June 2010 - 21
Recording - June 2010 - 22
Recording - June 2010 - 23
Recording - June 2010 - DPA Microphones 4099 Series
Recording - June 2010 - 25
Recording - June 2010 - Chandler Limited Little Devils
Recording - June 2010 - 27
Recording - June 2010 - A Studio Miking Primer
Recording - June 2010 - 29
Recording - June 2010 - 30
Recording - June 2010 - 31
Recording - June 2010 - 32
Recording - June 2010 - 33
Recording - June 2010 - 34
Recording - June 2010 - 35
Recording - June 2010 - Sontronics Orpheus and Sigma
Recording - June 2010 - 37
Recording - June 2010 - Zoom Q3 Video Recorder
Recording - June 2010 - 39
Recording - June 2010 - Superscope Elevation—A Walking Tour
Recording - June 2010 - 41
Recording - June 2010 - Recording’s Guitar Column
Recording - June 2010 - 43
Recording - June 2010 - Reviewed and Revisited: Ableton Live Intro
Recording - June 2010 - 45
Recording - June 2010 - Recording’s Keyboard Column
Recording - June 2010 - 47
Recording - June 2010 - Avid M-Audio Fast Track and Pro Tools M-Powered Essential
Recording - June 2010 - 49
Recording - June 2010 - 50
Recording - June 2010 - 51
Recording - June 2010 - 52
Recording - June 2010 - 53
Recording - June 2010 - It’s Your Music—Know Your Rights. Chapter 3: Recording Issues
Recording - June 2010 - 55
Recording - June 2010 - 56
Recording - June 2010 - 57
Recording - June 2010 - 58
Recording - June 2010 - 59
Recording - June 2010 - ART M-Three and M-Five Microphones
Recording - June 2010 - 61
Recording - June 2010 - Shure SRH440 and SRH840 Headphones
Recording - June 2010 - 63
Recording - June 2010 - Readers' Tapes
Recording - June 2010 - Advertiser Index
Recording - June 2010 - 66
Recording - June 2010 - 67
Recording - June 2010 - 68
Recording - June 2010 - 69
Recording - June 2010 - 70
Recording - June 2010 - 71
Recording - June 2010 - Fade Out
Recording - June 2010 - Cover3
Recording - June 2010 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording-november-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_20205
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/musicmaker/musicmaker/recording_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_201001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_200912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_200911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/recording_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/musicmaker/nxtd
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com