M-Audio Pulsar II Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

No longer available at zZounds
Capture acoustic instruments with clarity and accuracy with this small-diaphragm condenser, complete with -10 dB pad and 80 Hz high-pass filter switches.

The redesigned Pulsar II small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone takes M-Audio's pencil condenser technology to an even higher level. Designed in the U.S.A. by veteran engineers and hand-assembled to exacting standards, this precision microphone exhibits quality comparable to that of vintage classics. Features like -10dB pad and 80Hz high-pass filter switches, higher SPL than the original and a redesigned solid-brass backplate deliver smooth, accurate sound in the studio and on stage. The Pulsar II has many applications, including drum overheads, acoustic guitar, piano, close-miking strings and woodwinds, room miking and more.

M-Audio -- Professional Choice

M-Audio microphones deliver the same commitment to excellence that recording pros around the world have come to trust with our Studiophile reference monitors, Pro Tools-compatible audio interfaces and more. M-Audio microphones bring tonal options to the sonic palette of even the most sophisticated mic lockers. Models like the M-Audio Sputnik are turning the heads of top audio engineers and press--including winning Pro Audio Review's Reviewer's Pick and Electronic Musician's prestigious Editors' Choice Award. If you're serious about your sound right from the beginning of your recording chain, then you owe it to yourself to give M-Audio microphones a listen.

Singles or Matched Sets

The Pulsar II is available individually or as a matched set with only +/-1dB tolerance from the excellent published frequency read more response curves--which extend from 20Hz to 20kHz. This makes the Pulsar II mics ideal for stereo room miking, stereo overheads and similar applications where balance and imaging is key.

Pulsar II -- The Classic

Designed in the U.S.A. by veteran engineers and hand-assembled to exacting standards, these precision instruments exhibit quality that is regularly compared to that of vintage classics. In fact, many top Los Angeles session engineers have likened the Pulsar II to the Neumann KM84--and its replacement KM184--only with more open top end similar to Schoeps.

Flexible Features

The Pulsar II can adapt to many recording and live situations. The 12dB/octave high-pass filter reduces low-frequency rumble and the potential for overloading mic preamps with low-frequency signals. The Pulsar II also handles higher SPLs -- an overall 2dB boost thanks to a thermal diaphragm treatment, plus a 10dB switchable attenuation pad.

Features:

- Professional small-capsule condenser microphone
- 3/4-inch diameter, 6-micron Mylar evaporated gold diaphragm
- Thermal diaphragm treatment yields 2dB SPL boost over original model
- Solid brass backplate
- Solid brass body
- Class-A FET electronics
- Switchable -10dB pad
- Switchable 80Hz high-pass filter (12dB/octave)
- Wooden storage box houses microphone, windscreen and clip
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- Diaphragm: 3/4 in. diameter, 6-micron Mylar
- Backplate: Solid brass
- Electronics: Class-A FET (transformerless)
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Sensitivity: -37dB @ 1kHz, 0dB=1V/Pa (13.8 mV/Pa)
- Max SPL: 134dB at 0.5% THD, 144dB with 10dB pad
- Equivalent noise: 16dBA
- Pattern: Cardioid

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 401-658-5765

Submitted January 10, 2009

"Get em"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Im having an amazing experience with these mics
Sound
the sound of these mics is great. High quality. have used for micing guitar amps and drum overheads for recording. I used them in XY and ORTF overhead mic setups and they sounded terrific. for guitar amps they also were great but the best sound is when micing overheads for drums. They pick up the cymbals excellently and the toms as well. they can even pick up the whole set very nicely if you use a bass drum mic and these two as overheads in XY setup. My friend heard the drum recordings without any EQ and thought it was pro.
Features
The boom stand bar thingy is a really nice tool. Makes setting up XY and other overhead configurations fast and no hassle. The clips on the mics are sleek though so be careful.
Ease of Use
Not hard to use if you know how what configurations to use. The manual gives a nice manual thing on a few of the configurations so its good for beginners.
Quality
its nice quality. seem like sturdy mics but i wouldnt test them too much. They have a nice carrying case so thatll help with quality control.
Value
great deal
Manufacturer Support
havnt had to use but i hear M-audio is good
The Wow Factor
they look sleek...and nice....im not sure if mics bring sex appeal for most people though...

Musical Background:

active musician, aspiring recording engineer

Musical Style:

rock, progressive rock, chill
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