recordinghacks

Sontronics Orpheus

Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

The Orpheus is a multipattern condenser microphone from Sontronics.

The Orpheus is a FET version of Sontronics’s Helios microphone, and features the same unique body design and proprietary swiveling stand mount. Though the swivel mount itself provides minimal shock absorption, the capsule is suspended within the mic’s headbasket, which reduces handling noise.

The front panel of the Orpheus features a three-way switch for selecting the mic’s polar pattern, with bi-directional, cardioid, and omni as options. Also on the front panel is a switch for engaging a 10 dB pad or boost. Sontronics claims that engaging the boost adds no extra noise to the microphone’s output.

The Orpheus capsule is a 35mm dual-diaphragm design, and is center-terminated. We believe the same capsule is found in the Helios.

Reviewers enjoyed the Orpheus on vocalists, though a presence bump in the mic’s frequency response might preclude its use for particularly bright voices. This pronounced high frequency response is actually intended, and Sontronics markets the Orpheus as being especially well-suited to recording room ambience.

The Orpheus ships in a padded aluminum case and comes with its own dedicated wooden storage box.

Pro Audio Review, 2010-02

Orpheus’ presence bumps are quite flattering to lead vocals, both male and female. It offers a comparably full, rich, airy, and “slightly forward” quality to vocals tracked in cardioid pattern.

Permalink: Sontronics Orpheus

The mic was released in 2005.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (20 mV/Pa; 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (20 mV/Pa; 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (20 mV/Pa; 20 Hz - 20,000)	Pad: -10 dB (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 27mm Capsule diameter: 35mm	200 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 125 dB Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
900g (31.75oz)	204mm (8.03'')	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!