recordinghacks

Milab Microphones DC-196

Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

The DC-196 is a small format multipattern FET condenser microphone with Milab’s unique rectangular capsule. It is intended as a multi-purpose mic, suitable for studio or live sound use.

A switch on the microphone body allows selection of Cardioid, Omni, or Figure-of-8 polar patterns. Sensitivity is 21.5 mV/Pa, with self-noise measured as 12dBA.

A second switch on the mic body provides a -12dB pad. The mic’s output circuit is transformerless.

This microphone is unique in that it sports a rectangular capsule, shockmounted within the headbasket. The diaphragm material is a polyester film covered by a thin layer of aluminum, thus having good electrical properties with light weight, giving the mic a fast transient response. The capsule is known at Milab as the 2900, which is a modernized version of their 2700 capsule. The 2900 has improved frequency response and lower self-noise than its predecessor.

Audio Technology, 2006

The hand-signed measurement graph supplied with the
review DC-196 shows a very smooth and level frequency
response from 50Hz to 4kHz where a gentle rise of no
more than 1dB peaks at around 5kHz, with a similar
peak at around 10kHz.

The mic is available in either a white or black finish, and comes packaged with a windscreen and either a stand holder or shockmount (depending on where you purchase).

Resolution, 2006

Used as a distant room microphone on a drum recording, the DC196 sounds fabulous … Not only does everything sound balanced and natural, but there seems to be less in the way of objectionable room modes, and a detail to the HF elements that you wouldn’t necessarily expect…

The Milab Microphones DC-196 is also known as: DC196.

The mic was released in 2006.

Specifications

Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (21.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (21.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (21.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -12dB (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 19mm Capsule diameter: 36mm	n/a	Max SPL: 132 dB Self-noise: 12.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
230g (8.11oz)	145mm (5.71'')	27mm (1.06'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

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

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