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OmnidirectionalCardioidBidirectionalCAD Audio e3002

  Street: $270 / MSRP: $699 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

CAD Audio e300<sup>2</sup>

Description

The e3002 is a dual-diaphragm multipattern condenser microphone with CAD’s unique Equitek amplifier circuit.

The current shipping version, the e3002, is a second-generation design manufactured to CAD’s specs overseas. The original e300 was manufactured in the US and had slightly different specifications, such as the HPF (which moved from 80Hz to 135Hz). There are likely other changes we have not identified.

The mic can be powered by either phantom power or by two 9V batteries. Unusually, phantom power is not used to drive the microphone’s amplifier circuit directly; rather, it charges two built-in rechargeable batteries, which are capable of driving the high current needs of the output circuit’s opamps during high-SPL transients.

CAD

Equitek microphones … do not use any discrete FETs. Instead, [they] use advanced high speed OpAmps (Operational Amplifiers). These OpAmps are individually laser trimmed for optimum performance and have very high gain. This allows a large amount of negative feedback to be used to significantly reduce any non-linearity. During transients, these OpAmps may require more current than typical phantom power supplies can deliver. The extra current demands are accommodated by our unique power supply design. Instead of using phantom power to operate the microphone, we use it to charge a pair of rechargeable batteries. This system creates a huge current reserve for the microphone’s electronics, yet there is no maintenance involved because the microphone automatically keeps the batteries charged during use.

Switches on the front of the microphone body provide power cutoff (for optional 9V batteries), a high-pass filter (135Hz), a -20dB pad, and pattern selection: cardioid, figure-of-8, or omnidirectional.

Permalink: CAD Audio e300

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (20 mV/Pa; 10 Hz - 20 kHz)
Cardioid (20 mV/Pa; 10 Hz - 20 kHz)
Bidirectional (20 mV/Pa; 10 Hz - 20 kHz)
  • Pad: -20 dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: -6dB/octave @ 135Hz (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 28mm
 200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 145 dB
Self-noise: 12.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
510g (17.99oz) 190mm (7.48'') 77mm (3.03'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 24-52v

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