Sterling Audio ST55 FET
Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The Sterling Audio ST55 FET appears to be a reincarnation of the Groove Tubes GT55.
Both are fixed-cardioid solid-state condenser microphones with the 32mm “disk resonator” capsule pioneered by GT founder Aspen Pittman. The capsule in both mics uses a 3-micron diaphragm.
In our sample microphone, the capsule polarization voltage was 38VDC.
Both models have very high sensitivity of 32mV/Pa, and high self-noise of 22dBA. Most modern FET condenser have much lower self-noise (4dBA being extraordinary, 12–16dBA being common).
The circuit of the ST55 is nearly identical to the circuit of the GT55. The same circuit shows up (albeit without switched features) in the M-Audio Luna.
The ST-55’s transformer has an approximate turns ratio of 4.8:1 (as measured here in a sample microphone).
The ST-55 has a nickel-plated brass body with a painted black finish and chrome trim.
Two switches below the headbasket independently enable the pad (-10dB) and high-pass filter (-12dB/octave @ 75Hz).
The mic includes a hardmount (Sterling p/n HM2) and zippered storage case. A shockmount (p/n SM4) is available separately.
Permalink: Sterling Audio ST55
The mic was released in 2007.
Specifications
Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
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Cardioid
(32 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
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Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
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Diaphragm diameter: 26mm Capsule diameter: 32mm Diaphragm gauge: 3 microns |
200 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 144 dB Self-noise: 22.0 dB(A) |
Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
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544g (19.19oz) | 190mm (7.48'') | 46mm (1.81'') |
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Power Specifications |
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