recordinghacks

Sontronics Omega

Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone

The Omega is a cardioid tube condenser microphone from British manufacturer Sontronics.

The Omega houses a 12AX7/ECC83 tube, and is powered by the SPS-2 power supply, which features a 10 dB pad and a high-pass filter at 75 Hz.

Sontronics and reviewers describe the microphone as having a warm sound, with a smooth high end. The lack of accentuation in the upper frequency range distinguishes the Omega from the Helios, another tube offering from Sontronics, as well as many other Chinese-made microphones.

One of the Omega’s characteristics may be a result of low cost Chinese construction, or perhaps the microphone’s unique shape; tapping the body of the mic or shifting the attached cable results in a distinct ringing sound.

The Omega performed well in tests on cello, piano, and male vocals. Multiple reviewers found the Omega’s proximity effect to be noticeable, yet pleasant and smooth.

Future Music, May 2006

We all know large capsule condensers each have their own flavour, so firing up a new one is always an interesting moment. My initial impression of the Omega was its proximity effect. As you get up close this is very pleasing, making the mic sound good and solid.

The Omega ships in a padded aluminum case with an additional padded wooden box for the mic itself, the SPS-2 power supply, a cable for connection to the power supply, and a traditional “spider” shockmount.

Permalink: Sontronics omega

The mic was released in 2005.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -10 dB (Via Switch) Filter: Low cut @ 75 Hz (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 27mm Capsule diameter: 35mm	200 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 125 dB Self-noise: 18.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
n/a	n/a	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Includes tube power supply

Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!