CharterOak Products | > Model S600 Reviews & Testimonials

CharterOak S600 - June 2007 [download PDF]
Large-diaphragm Tube Microphones - Hugh Robjohns

"With good looks and a unique sonic character, there's plenty to commend these mics."

HTML text version coming soon.

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Prosound Magazine - Japan - April 2007
Reviews. CharterOak SA538, SA538B, E700 & S600

“CharterOak microphones reviews in PROSOUND April ’07 Edition”

CharterOak condenser microphones are manufactured in the factory located in
Connecticut, U.S.A. Only the parts with well selected and passing the very severe
quality criteria are assembled in the rigid body which is being machining from the brass.
And, furthermore, after 7 days aging for the tubes and testing in the studio
environment for more than 30 minutes, the microphones will be delivered to the
customers. In addition to this, such accessories as the flight case, the power supply, the
shock mount, the cables, etc. will be checked severely. By taking care of this
fundamental points in order to manufacture the products, the credibility will be
increased and the products will attract customers’ attention and the firm position of the
products will be established, which is a short cut to be successful for the products.

The products which I would now like to introduce you this time are 4 types of the
condenser microphones manufactured by CHARTEROAK ACOUSTIC DEVICES in
U.S.A. They are SA538, SA538B, S600 and E700.

First of all, from the external appearance of the microphones, the black shiny finish is a
feeling like having its very expensive products and the microphones have a feeling of
having its enough weight. Furthermore, except E700 which is solid state type, the
exclusive power supply will come with the microphones. About SA538 and SA538B, as
they equip the switch with 9 steps of which the directivity can be selected from
non-directivity to cardioid.

Let’s try to test them!

First, let’s start from SA538. This is a dual diaphragm tube type condenser
microphone(SA538B is the same.).

Checking it with vocal, it sounds like thinking of a vintage microphone and the
bandwidth ranging from mid-low sound to low sound is solid. Nevertheless, it is not
like a dull sound, but, it has apparently a feeling of existence against the sound source
in the back. Listening to only the vocal track carefully, it is understood well that the
room noise was not almost felt. Then, after recording while selecting the directivity
newly, with transferring gradually from non-directivity to cardioid(middle value), the
noise is becoming decreased and it is a feeling that I went to the country side where has
clean air, being away from the city. In doing like that, the high technique is necessary
in order to decrease only the noise, without spoiling a feeling of air. I feel that
CHARTEROAK ACOUSTIC DEVICES has very high technology research level.
SA538B is being the same, but, as this is a side termination type, the high frequency
sound is much extending with a feeling of hybrid.

Depending upon the vocalist is if it is a male or a female, it is fat or thin, utterance is
strong or not, what is the performance style of the back, etc., the choice will be changed.
In the studio, I would like to have both. In either way, the microphones can realize
sound image very well for which the vocalist is in the very front position of the stage,
and they are superb microphones, and they are also easy for mixing.

E700 is the low cost version for the above 2 microphones. This is a gold depositioned
myler diaphragm and pure class A solid state type microphone. The microphone equips
the switch which can be selected from 3 types of the directivity(cardioid/omni/figure 8)
and the attenuator of -10dB/-20dB(sensitivity switch).Though this microphone is in the
low priced range, the sound is fairly good and a feeling of clear air with less noise can be
realized well.

S600 is a front address type and the tube type, but, this microphone is different in
appearance from the above microphones. The top portion of the microphone is aimed at
the recording object and I think it is for the purpose of recording the musical
instruments. I recorded the Conga which is my favorite musical instrument. Although
it is a same feeling as sounding with a feeling of existence, this microphone is likely flat
in its frequency response. In its good aspect, it has a sound with non-peculiarity and
wide dynamic range.

For myself, in case of recording in stereo against the recording object(2 microphones),
especially to drams and percussion(also piano), not standing the microphone inside from
outside, reversely, I always request to stand it outside from inside. This means that I
consider it phase, but, with using this microphone, when I tried to make both settings
and to compare them, I realized that there are big difference in a feeling of existence
and a clearness of sound. In some sense, I am impressed with this microphone that it is
honest.

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