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CardioidRoswell Pro Audio Colares

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The Roswell Colares is a large-diaphragm studio condenser designed to provide a “big vocal” sound. It has a fixed Cardioid pattern, which is the most common choice for vocal recording, and multiple switchable options for fine-tuning the mic’s sound.

The capsule is a 34mm edge-terminated design, voiced to recreate the sound of the Telefunken ElaM 251. This is a more neutral, less bright voicing than that is found on many CK-12 style capsules.

The circuit is a single-stage JFET/transformer topology that is based on, but enhanced from its origins in Germany in the mid-1960’s. Only three components sit in the audio signal path between the capsule and the XLR jack. The JFET was selected for its specific harmonic characteristics by Roswell staff after auditioning numerous modern and NOS components. The output capacitor is a US-made film and foil unit. The transformer is custom-wound by Cinemag.

A switch below the grille enables a 10dB pad, and also reduces even-order harmonics by about 15dB. This gives the mic a cleaner, less rich, more “modern” voicing.

A second switch controls the mic’s low-frequency response:

  • The top switch position provides unfiltered lows (-3dB @ 25Hz).
  • The lowest position provides a “rumble” filter (-3dB @ 60Hz).
  • The middle position provides audible filtering (-3dB @ 150Hz).

Each Colares is hand-soldered, assembled, and tuned in California. Like all Roswell microphones, the Colares spends 24 hours on the company’s proprietary conditioning rack prior to final QC. The QC process involves 7 discrete steps, including an audio sweep test (using a purpose-built, calibrated speaker), listening test, and checks for polarity/phase, noise, sensitivity, etc. Each microphone is compared to a “golden master” unit to ensure consistent performance.

The Colares ships with a Rycote universal shockmount in an ATA style flight case. The mic’s 1-year warranty can be doubled to 2 years once the mic is registered.

Permalink: Roswell Pro Audio Colares

The mic was released in 2018.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (35 mV/Pa; 20 - 16,000)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: 0dB (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 26mm
Capsule diameter: 34mm
n/a
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
n/a n/a 60mm (2.36'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48 ± 4v

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