Rode TF-5 Matched Pair Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

The TF-5 is a small-diaphragm cardioid condenser designed with recording engineer Tony Faulkner, and the MP version is a factory-matched stereo pair. The externally biased capsule and a JFET impedance converter with a bipolar output buffer give a flat response and a tightly controlled cardioid pattern, which is what a Decca tree or an ORTF pair needs to stay coherent.

Self-noise is 14dB A-weighted with an 80dB signal-to-noise ratio and 112.6dB of dynamic range, so quiet ensembles sit well above the noise floor. Each microphone is 98.7mm long and 20mm in diameter, weighs 114g, and draws 7mA at 48V phantom power. Supplied as a matched pair.

Acoustic Principle	Externally biased condenser
Active Electronics	JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer
Polar Pattern	Cardioid
Frequency Range	20Hz - 20kHz
Output Impedance	63 ohms
Signal-to-noise Ratio	80 dB
Equivalent Noise	14 dB SPL (A-weighted, as per IEC651)
Sensitivity	-29 dB re.1 Volt/Pascal or better (35 mV @ 94dB SPL @ 1kHz)