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JZ Microphones BT201

Detachable-Capsule Pencil Condenser Microphone

The BT201 is JZ’s entry into the pencil-condenser market. In keeping with the company’s sense of visual design, the BT201 head amp features a tapered neck; the resulting baseball-bat shape inspired the letters in the name, “BT.”

Detachable capsules connect to the head amp via an innovative magnetic mechanism. There are no screw threads; the capsules simply clip on magnetically (and are hot-swappable).

The capsule diaphragm is 4-microns thick, and is sputtered with aluminum alloy rather than the more traditional gold. Note that the BT-201 capsules, unlike the rest of the JZ mics, do not use JZ’s Golden Drop variable-sputtering technique to metallize the capsule diaphragms.

The amplifier circuit is transformerless.

The mic was announced in December, 2008 and first displayed at the 2009 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA.

Several pricing and packaging options have been announced:

• The $635/€499 BT-201 kit includes a single head amp and three detachable capsules — cardioid, omni, wide-cardioid.
• A single BT-201 head amp with cardioid capsule will cost $515/€405.
• Wide-cardioid and omni capsules will cost $105/€80.
• The wide-cardioid capsule with built-in -20dB pad will cost $130/€99.
• A stereo kit (two head amps and six capsules) will sell for €1059/$1349 and will ship in a foam-lined wood box with a magnetic clasp.

Resolution, 2009

First impressions are that the BT-201 is somewhat noisier than the DPA [4006], and that its tonality is a good deal sharper, with quite an obvious lift in the high frequencies. On acoustic guitar this isn’t entirely unpleasant, but [on] cello things start to sound scratchy rather than bright.

Moving on to a drum kit… the JZ offering fared much better. There’s a good sense of detail and transient response here, and the slight increase in working distance seems to suit these microphones better.

ProAudioReview, 2009

On drums using cardioid capsules (overheads in ORTF or spaced pair), the BT-201s exhibited a slightly emphasized top end that didn’t get harsh or strident and never required any subtractive EQ.

The JZ Microphones BT201 is also known as: BT-201.

The mic was released in 2008.

Specifications

Compatible Capsules

JZ Microphones 08-0032 Cardioid 13mm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa CHARTFreq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $89 | Still In Production JZ Microphones 08-0032 Omni 13mm Omnidirectional capsule Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa CHARTFreq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $89 | Still In Production JZ Microphones Open Cardioid 13mm Wide Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa CHARTFreq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $89 | Still In Production JZ Microphones Open Cardioid -20dB 13mm Wide Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa CHARTFreq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $109 | Still In Production

Pads & Filters	Impedance	SPL/Noise
n/a	50 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 140 dB Self-noise: 12.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
140g (4.94oz)	161mm (6.34'')	24mm (0.94'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48 ± 4v

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