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Placid Audio Carbonphone RU-80

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The Placid Audio Carbonphone RU-80 is the second carbon microphone made by Placid Audio. The main difference between the two Carbonphones is the RU-80’s Soviet military-grade capsule, as opposed to the US military capsule in the original Carbonphone.

The RU-80’s output is balanced with the use of a Hammond output transformer.

Recording Magazine
Sonically the RU-80 retains all of the above sonic anomalies of the original Carbonphone, yet it is noticeably darker, richer, and less bright and tizzy, with a 50 Hz - 10 kHz frequency response.

There are other differences between the two Carbonphones:

• The Carbonphone RU-80 is 40% shorter and about 20% wider than the original Carbonphone.


• The RU-80 is sold without the Carbonphone’s external Tone Box, though a Tone Box can be used with it, as with any microphone.


• The RU-80 requires phantom power (supplied via a mixer/preamp or from the Tone Box from original Carbonphone).


• The RU-80 is not bandwidth-limited like the original, which along with its different, Soviet element, gives it a darker, richer sound.


• The impedance in the RU-80 is 150Ω, as opposed to the Carbonphone/Tone Box’ 600Ω.

But despite their differences, the two mics share the same lo-fi character:

Mark Pirro, Placid Audio
Because of the carbon granule element, it will always impart a fuzzy lo-fi character on the signal… perfect for when you want to add an element of ‘danger’ to things.

The microphone requires phantom power for its carbon transducer. There no active circuitry in the mic; it is the transducer itself that requires an external power source to operate (much like a condenser capsule).

Like its sibling Carbonphone, the RU-80 is built into a durable, machined copper housing, and is fitted with an adjustable aluminum mounting bracket.

The Placid Audio Carbonphone RU-80 is also known as: RU80, Carbonphone RU-80, Carbonphone RU80.

The mic was released in 2018.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (50 - 10,000Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a	150 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 120 dB

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
453g (15.98oz)	76mm (2.99'')	57mm (2.24'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

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