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Sanken Microphone Company, Ltd. CMS-2

Pricing & Availability

  • MSRP: $3,435

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CMS-2 Documentation

Mid-Side StereoSanken Microphone Company, Ltd. CMS-2

Mid-Side Stereo Condenser Microphone

The CMS-2 is a mid-side stereo microphone designed for orchestral and ensemble recording applications.

It uses two condenser capsules, diameter unknown, with 1-micron titanium diaphragms. The use of titanium gives the microphone the ability to withstand high-humidity environments, and higher SPL handling abilities (145dB @ 1% THD).

The capsule design is named “push-pull,” about which more details are forthcoming. According to Sanken, the capsule design “gives [the mic] a 6dB higher sensitivity than similar sized conventional microphones.”

Nonetheless, the CMS-2’s sensitivity is relatively low at 2.8 mV/Pa, with self-noise rated at “below 16dBA.”

We assume the mic has two capsules, one of which faces forward, to capture the “mid” channel. The second capsule has a figure-8 pattern and is mounted at 90° to the first, to capture the “side” channel. The output of each capsule is provided separately, via XLR5M; the user would be required to decode the MS information into stereo L/R via outboard gear or a mixing console.

The CMS-2 ships with a hard mount (p/n H-21D) and a vinyl storage case.

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The mic was released in 1975.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Mid-Side Stereo (2.8 mV/Pa; 20 - 18,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a
Diaphragm gauge: 1 microns
250 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 145 dB
Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
180g (6.35oz) 173mm (6.81'') n/a
  • 5-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48±4v

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