

Milab Microphones DC-196
Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone
The DC-196 is a small format multipattern FET condenser microphone with Milab’s unique rectangular capsule. It is intended as a multi-purpose mic, suitable for studio or live sound use.
A switch on the microphone body allows selection of Cardioid, Omni, or Figure-of-8 polar patterns. Sensitivity is 21.5 mV/Pa, with self-noise measured as 12dBA.
A second switch on the mic body provides a -12dB pad. The mic’s output circuit is transformerless.
This microphone is unique in that it sports a rectangular capsule, shockmounted within the headbasket. The diaphragm material is a polyester film covered by a thin layer of aluminum, thus having good electrical properties with light weight, giving the mic a fast transient response. The capsule is known at Milab as the 2900, which is a modernized version of their 2700 capsule. The 2900 has improved frequency response and lower self-noise than its predecessor.
Audio Technology, 2006
The hand-signed measurement graph supplied with the
review DC-196 shows a very smooth and level frequency
response from 50Hz to 4kHz where a gentle rise of no
more than 1dB peaks at around 5kHz, with a similar
peak at around 10kHz.
The mic is available in either a white or black finish, and comes packaged with a windscreen and either a stand holder or shockmount (depending on where you purchase).
Resolution, 2006
Used as a distant room microphone on a drum recording, the DC196 sounds fabulous … Not only does everything sound balanced and natural, but there seems to be less in the way of objectionable room modes, and a detail to the HF elements that you wouldn’t necessarily expect…
The Milab Microphones DC-196 is also known as: DC196.
The mic was released in 2006.
Specifications
Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare! |
---|
![]() |
Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare! |
![]() |
Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare! |
![]() |
Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
---|---|
Omnidirectional
(21.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (21.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (21.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
|
Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
---|---|---|
Diaphragm diameter: 19mm Capsule diameter: 36mm |
n/a | Max SPL: 132 dB Self-noise: 12.0 dB(A) |
Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
---|---|---|---|
230g (8.11oz) | 145mm (5.71'') | 27mm (1.06'') |
|
Power Specifications |
---|
|
Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!