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Sontronics Mercury

Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone

The Sontronics Mercury is multipattern tube condenser microphone. It is the new flagship microphone of Sontronics.

The Mercury is based on a 12AT7/ECC81 tube circuit, and the mic comes with a JJ 12AT7 tube installed. The mic has continuously variable pattern selection at the power supply.

The capsule appears to be a large-diaphragm K67 type. It is suspended in a non-removable lollipop-style headbasket.

A -10db pad and low cut filter (75Hz) are switchable at the power supply. There is also a “tube ready” light that illuminates when the tube has gone through its warmup cycle.

Designer and Sontronics owner Trevor Coley says the microphone was built using electronic tolerances of less than 1% per component, specifically mentioning the polystyrene capacitors and the two silver mica capacitors, all made in the UK, though manufacturers are not mentioned by name. Further details are unknown but Sontronics stresses that the mic was made using the best available electronic components of their respective types.

For a cost savings, some of the mic’s metalwork was made in China, but the electronics were made and assembled by hand in the UK. The capsule manufacturer is unknown.

The Mercury ships with an aluminum case, elastic shockmount, power supply, and the necessary 8-pin cable. It has a lifetime warranty.

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The mic was released in 2016.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
CHART Omnidirectional (18 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) CHART Cardioid (18 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) CHART Bidirectional (18 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -10db (Via Switch) Filter: 75Hz low cut (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a	200 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 125 dB Self-noise: 12.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
2317g (81.73oz)	80mm (3.15'')	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Includes tube power supply

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