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OmnidirectionalCardioidHypercardioid3 Zigma Audio CHI HA/FX

Detachable-Capsule Pencil Condenser Microphone

The CHI HA/FX is the transformer-coupled version of 3 Zigma’s original CHI modular microphone. It matches the performance of the original CHI, and adds both a 3-position pad and a 3-position high-pass filter.

Both CHI designs are detachable-capsule microphone systems using a pencil-mic form factor. Both accept the full range of 3 Zigma’s interchangeable capsules, including both large- and small-diaphragm designs. (A full list can be seen below.)

The HA/FX, like the original HA/TL, is intended as a neutral/transparent amplifier, so that the color of the capsules defines the sonic profile of the microphone. Both the transformer-coupled and transformerless amp circuits were designed by JP Gerard, the lead designer for ADK.

“HA/FX” stands for “Head amp / FET / Transformer-coupled.”

The amplifier circuitry is closely related to the original; the primary changes ae the adaption of the amplifier to a transformer-balanced output, and the inclusion of the pads and filters.

The transformer was designed to be as transparent as possible, rather than impart coloration to the audio signal. It is manufactured to 3 Zigma’s spec, with a 1:1 ratio.

The FX amplifier matches the sensitivity and noise specs of the TL. Self-noise varies by capsule, from a low of 7dBA (C-LOL-12 LDC head) to a high of 15dBA (SD-H hypercardioid SDC head).

The 3-way pad switch offers 0dB, 8dB, or 16dB attenuation. A second switch enables a high-pass filter at 100Hz or 150Hz (-6dB/octave).

Larry Villella

The new head amp has the same electronics as the original transformerless one, [except that its] output is balanced with a transformer. This is not a total redesign… We also added a pad and a HPF to make the system more flexible and useful in Live setting, which was the environment we had in mind when designing this new head amp. An output transformer offers better balancing than a transformerless circuit. And the switches help engineers get the best out of any mic/console combination.

Permalink: 3 Zigma Audio HA-FX

The mic was released in 2010.

Specifications

Compatible Capsules
3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-12Cardioid 3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-12
27.5mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: 22 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $595 | Still In Production
3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-251Cardioid 3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-251
27.5mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $695 | Still In Production
3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-47Cardioid 3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-47
27.5mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: 18 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $595 | Still In Production
3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-67Cardioid 3 Zigma Audio C-LOL-67
27.5mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: 22 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $595 | Still In Production
3 Zigma Audio SD-C CardioidCardioid 3 Zigma Audio SD-C Cardioid
17mm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: 16 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $495 | Still In Production
3 Zigma Audio SD-H HypercardioidHypercardioid 3 Zigma Audio SD-H Hypercardioid
17mm Hypercardioid capsule
Sensitivity: 12.6 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $495 | Still In Production
3 Zigma Audio SD-O-D Diffuse-field OmniOmnidirectional 3 Zigma Audio SD-O-D Diffuse-field Omni
17mm Omnidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: 18 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $495 | Still In Production
3 Zigma Audio SD-O-F Free-field OmniOmnidirectional 3 Zigma Audio SD-O-F Free-field Omni
17mm Omnidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: 18 mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $549 | Still In Production
Pads & Filters Impedance SPL/Noise
  • Pad: -8dB (Via Switch)
  • Pad: -16dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: -6dB/octave @ 150Hz (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: -6dB/octave @ 100Hz (Via Switch)
n/a
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
n/a n/a 22mm (0.87'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

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