Behringer C-3 Professional Large Dual-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone

Features

• Professional large dual-diaphragm condenser microphone for studio recording and live applications
• Ideal as main and support microphone for studio and live applications
• Selectable cardioid, omnidirectional or figure eight pickup pattern
• Pressure-gradient transducer with shock-mounted dual-diaphragm capsule
• Perfect for acoustic instruments, overhead, piano, etc.

Description

Dual-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone The C-3 is a home recording enthusiast's dream come true. This professional-quality condenser microphone is designed to capture your sounds with incredible realism, sensitivity and accuracy. Condenser microphones are the ideal choice for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments. They're the primary type of microphone used in recording studios and radio stations. They are capable of capturing much more detail than dynamic microphones because of their wider, flatter frequency response. Another difference between condenser and dynamic mics is they contain active circuitry that requires phantom power (+48 V DC) for operation. You can power them from any phantom power equipped BEHRINGER XENYX mixer, plus enjoy the benefits of our state-of-the-art XENYX mic preamps. The C-3 is an affordable, high-quality way to put this essential studio tool to work for you. It has three selectable pickup patterns: omnidirectional for capturing sound equally on all sides; cardioid for picking up your source signal while rejecting off-axis sounds; and figure-eight for capturing sound both behind and in front of the mic, but not all the way around. With its excellent transducer and gold-plated XLR output, the C-3 is very neutral-sounding and truly delivers on the promise of noise-free transmission. The C-3 is built to be your go-to condenser mic for years to come. Its tough, die-cast body can withstand all the rigors of bleary-eyed late-night recording marathons. And with its rugged foam-padded carrying case, it travels in safety and style. We also included a swivel stand mount so it can be affixed to your studio's mic stands. This condenser mic is an excellent choice for live and studio applications, and it's available at a price that will leave you with enough cash left over to secure other recording essentials. Check out the incredible C-3 at a BEHRINGER dealer near you. The C-3 is a home recording enthusiast's dream come true. This professional-quality condenser microphone is designed to capture your sounds with incredible realism, sensitivity and accuracy. This professional-quality condenser microphone is designed to capture your sounds with incredible realism, sensitivity and accuracy. Click to enlarge. View frequency response. Click to enlarge. View polar pattern. Click to enlarge. What is a Condenser Mic? Condenser microphones are the ideal choice for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments. They're the primary type of microphone used in recording studios and radio stations. They are capable of capturing much more detail than dynamic microphones because of their wider, flatter frequency response. Another difference between condenser and dynamic mics is they contain active circuitry that requires phantom power (+48 V DC) for operation. You can power them from any phantom power equipped BEHRINGER XENYX mixer, plus enjoy the benefits of our state-of-the-art XENYX mic preamps. Why the C-3? The C-3 is an affordable, high-quality way to put this essential studio tool to work for you. It has three selectable pickup patterns: omnidirectional for capturing sound equally on all sides; cardioid for picking up your source signal while rejecting off-axis sounds; and figure-eight for capturing sound both behind and in front of the mic, but not all the way around. With its excellent transducer and gold-plated XLR output, the C-3 is very neutral-sounding and truly delivers on the promise of noise-free transmission. Built To Last The C-3 is built to be your go-to condenser mic for years to come. Its tough, die-cast body can withstand all the rigors of bleary-eyed late-night recording marathons. And with its rugged foam-padded carrying case, it travels in safety and style. We also included a swivel stand mount so it can be affixed to your studio's mic stands. C-3 Specs What's in the Box Behringer C-3 Microphone, Swivel Stand Mount, Carrying Case, User's Manual

Item Weight 14.9 ounces

Product Dimensions 2.13 x 2.13 x 7.09 inches

ASIN B000KUA8EI

Item model number C3/B

Customer Reviews 4.3 out of 5 stars 196 ratings 4.3 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank #44,808 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #1,002 in Condenser Microphones

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No

Date First Available December 4, 2007

Color Name Silver

abunda_amazon_reviews I've been doing sound as a hobby for many years, working with various types of microphones and sound boards, but I am by no means an expert. I'm just someone who might know a little more than many others when it comes to the technical aspects. The Behringer C-3 condenser microphone is a solid condenser microphone. It's not mind blowing, for $30 more you could get what I consider to be the standard "budget" condenser in the Audio Technica AT202, but this offers some things that the AT2020 doesn't. First, I needed a condenser that provided multiple polar patterns. A polar pattern is simply where it's designed to pick up sound. A "Cardioid" polar pattern picks up sounds right in front of the microphone, while discarding sounds off to the side and behind. For most people that's all they need. A "Figure 8" polar pattern picks up sounds in front and behind, while discarding the sound that comes from the sides. An "Omni" pattern will pick up the sounds that surround the microphone. The AT2020 only has a cardioid pattern, and what I'm looking to do is start a podcast with my wife using just one microphone, so I needed something that could do a figure 8 pattern as well. The dual-diaphragm design of the C-3 allows for that, as well as an omni pattern as well. And in case you are wondering what a diaphragm is in a microphone, it's what converts sound into electrical impulses, which in turn are sent down a wire to a mixing board and amplifier, which then converts it back into sound which we recognize. This being a condenser microphone, the diaphragm is an electrical plate that requires a current of electricity. This means it needs "Phantom Power" in order to operate, unlike a dynamic microphone which is a simple magnet and coils that is pushed back and forth by sound, or a ribbon microphone which uses a thin ribbon to vibrate, converting sound energy into electrical. The C-3 has two of those diaphragms, which allow it to have multiple patterns. I also wanted to mention another great couple of features. It has a setting on it that brings the initial recording volume down by 10db. Why is that important? Well, sometimes condenser microphones are used on instruments that produce a lot of sonic force, such as a drum set, and too much sound can overload and damage the diaphragm. So by reducing the level of sound that the diaphragm is sensitive to, it will prolong the life of the mic if you're using it in such a way. It also has a high pass filter on it, which can help eliminate some lower frequency noises. Condenser microphones are quite sensitive to a wide range of noises, and the more unwanted noises you can filter out at the source, the better. So, for $70, this is worth a look. I like this a whole lot, but there is one drawback that I want to mention. I'm not entirely certain though if it's the mixer I'm using or the microphone itself, but there is some noise when I go to record. "Noise" is that "hissing" sound you hear on old records or tapes. It's not a huge amount of noise, and with editing software such as Audacity, it's easy enough to get rid of, so it's not a deal breaker, but it is there. And the noise could very well be coming from the mixer itself (a Behringer XENYX 302 USB). The bottom line for me is, while the AT2020 might be a better vocal condenser microphone all around, considering what I want to do the Behringer C-3 is more than adequate. In my ears there's not enough of a difference in initial quality of vocals for me to spend an extra $30, particularly if it doesn't give me the polar patterns I'm looking for. You're simply not going to find a better condenser microphone at this price point with these features than you'll get with the C-3. It isn't perfect, it is a $70 microphone, but for my budget it was worth every bit of that $70 and more. Keep in mind though also that if you're looking to buy this, you will need to power it. As I mentioned I'm using this with a Behringer XENYX 302 USB which has phantom power and pre-amps built into the XLR connection. Plus it acts as a USB interface, so if you're looking to do podcasting or video chatting with the C-3, having that little mixer on hand will allow you to do it. Otherwise you may need to buy a separate Phantom Power supply (anywhere between $25 and $200) and USB interface.;;Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2018;;4.0 out of 5 stars;;You're not going to find better, with more features, for $70 than this.;;Christopher R. Cole;;;First I will say that I am not a professional musician or sound engineer. I have never owned a really nice microphone before but I wanted to be able to record some interviews on a digital recorder. I was amazed at the frequency response and the low level of noise generated by this microphone. It has a switch that you can set to three different pickup patterns. For interviewing I used it in the bidirectional (figure 8) pattern. The two sides aren't exactly the same but for what I was doing, it worked great. Both my voice and that of the interviewee were crystal clear and the noise floor was far below anything I've used before. This mic does require phantom power to operate. I was using it with the Behringer MIC800 Modeling Preamp, which provided the phantom power and preamp interface to the digital recorder. I have some older microphones that I thought were OK until I used this one. One of the dynamic microphones I have doesn't have much noise but the frequency response leaves a lot to be desired. I have a short shotgun condenser mic that has good frequency response but the noise level on it is horrible.;;Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2014;;5.0 out of 5 stars;;Great mic for the price;;Steve Reischel;;;This is a multi-pattern condenser mic. Think: Yeti Blue, but no USB. I have some special use cases that require the mic be put in the middle of a group circled around the mic: works great for that and that's my specific use case. It's an good mic with good sound (nothing stellar though). I give a solid B.;;Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2018;;4.0 out of 5 stars;;A semi-unique product that does the job;;Scott;;;I have had a Behringer B-1 since 2003 and it has served me very well. It has seen better days. I needed a reasonable priced mic that I could use in my tiny studio. This C-3 solved a lot of issues. It is not an extremely hot mic but is perfect for a room where fan and computer noise is always a fight. The C-3 picked up my guitar very clearly with good balance of tone and cut so far down on the room noise that my tracks sound great. The C-3 will pick up the room if the pre-amp is cranked but it works great at around 10 inches to three feet or so for good low noise recordings. Good mic, low cost, clean reproduction of sound. I can't complain.;;Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2018;;5.0 out of 5 stars;;perfect for a room where fan and computer noise is always a fight.;;Teresa Lynn Beck