recordinghacks

Electro-Voice Cardinal

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The EV Cardinal is a cardioid electret FET condenser microphone built with Blue’s unique visual style.

The case design is similar to the Raven, a dynamic mic from the same EV/Blue series. Though in the case of the Cardinal, the body of the case is made of cherry stained hardwood (The Raven is metal).

According to online reports from microphone builders, the capsule in the Cardinal is “visually identical” to the Transound TSB140.

This is not a flat-response microphone; there are numerous peaks between 1k and 15k, and a pronounced proximity effect — at 1cm, +15dB at 100Hz.

The mic has relatively high self-noise, at 24dBA. Its high SPL capability and exaggerated proximity effect suggests many applications around the drum kit.

The Cardinal was designed by Blue around the time that Telex Communications, parent of Electrovoice, signed a distribution deal with Blue. The original branding on this mic was “EV/Blue Cardinal.” Since Blue and Telex have parted ways, Electrovoice retained the rights to the Cardinal, and are updating the branding to reflect this (mid-2008). The new name is simply Cardinal.

Tape Op Magazine

It’s affordable, it looks really cool, it’s super sturdy, the mount is extremely functional, and it’s not too big. Home run. Perfect for drums.

The Electro-Voice Cardinal is also known as: EV Blue Cardinal, Blue Cardinal.

The mic was released in 2005.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (10.6 mV/Pa; 35 - 20,000 Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 14mm	50 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 150 dB Self-noise: 24.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
391g (13.79oz)	93mm (3.66'')	63mm (2.48'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 12 - 48v

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