recordinghacks

Pearl Microphone Laboratory CC 22

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Pearl’s CC 22 is one of a trio of single-pattern FET condenser mics, each with the company’s Model 2800 rectangular-diaphragm capsule. All three mics provide “accurate”/neutral rather than colored voicing. All three use a similar transformerless amplifier circuit. The CC22 is a fixed-cardioid microphone.

The capsule diaphragm measures 14x29mm, and consists of a thin polyester film metallized with aluminum. The same capsule can be found in most of Pearl’s condenser microphones. Read more about the characteristics and performance of rectangular condenser capsules.

Although the mic’s advertised frequency response is 20Hz–25kHz, the -3dB points are closer to 35Hz and 20kHz.

The microphone body is brass, finished with a gloss black lacquer. The company name and model name are engraved into the microphone body.

The CC 22 can be paired with the CB 22 (figure-of-8) for Mid-Side stereo recording.

The mic ships in a padded aluminum flight case (p/n AC01). Two models of shockmount are available separately:

• Model 1927 - essentially a rubber-lined mic clip
• Model 1928 - a traditional elastic shockmount

SoundOnSound, 2004

The CC22 is an honest-sounding microphone, tending towards neutral rather than colored. In my comparisons it sounded closer to the AKG C414B-ULS than any of the other mics [on] hand. The Microtech [M 930] and Neumann [TLM 103] models were noticeably more colored and heavier sounding. In terms of resolution and the ability to capture complex detail the CC22 performed very well, capturing the complex harmonics of a 12-string acoustic guitar quite creditably.

It delivers a smooth, extended, and neutral sound quality, seeming to combine the resolution and precision of a small-diaphragm mic with a hint of the ‘larger than life’ character and body of a large-diaphragm mic. It is particularly well suited to classical or folk-music recording, where accuracy and detail are key attributes.

The Pearl Microphone Laboratory CC 22 is also known as: CC22.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (18 mV/Pa; 35 - 20,000 Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 14mm Capsule diameter: 29mm	100 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 126 dB Self-noise: 12.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
270g (9.52oz)	150mm (5.91'')	28mm (1.10'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

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