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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.

Both 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).

Both mics use custom-wound, nickel-core output transformers, built into nickel-plated brass bodies 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
CHART Cardioid (32 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -10dB (Via Switch) Filter: HPF: -12dB/octave @ 75Hz (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
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)
544g (19.19oz)	190mm (7.48'')	46mm (1.81'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

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