Sontronics ZETA JFET Condenser Microphone

ZETA is a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser with a JFET front end and a Lundahl output transformer. The two together are the reason it sounds finished on the way in: the transformer adds a small, musical thickening through the mids while the JFET stage keeps the top end open. Sensitivity is high at 33 mV/Pa and self-noise is about 9 dBA, so a whispered voiceover reaches the converter with detail intact and nothing behind it.

Response covers 20 Hz to 20 kHz and the mic will take 125 dB before 0.5% distortion, which is plenty for vocals, acoustic guitar, piano and strings. Impedance stays under 200 Ohms into a 3-pin XLR on 48 V phantom. The shock mount is internal, so the mic goes straight onto the supplied stand mount without a spider cage. It ships in an ABS case with cut foam and is hand-built in England.