Sontronics STC Mics

92
Reviews | Sontronics STC Mics
S
ontronics, launched in 2005,
are no stranger to the pages
of FM. We’ve looked at some
of their mics before – notably
a large diaphragm condenser plus a
valve and a ribbon mic. What we have
here, though, are a couple of hand-held
vocal mics more at the affordable end
of the market. One, the STC-6,
following in the footsteps of previous
Sontronics models, is a condenser
while the other, the STC-80, is a
dynamic mic, the first, in fact, that
Sontronics have released.
Both mics come complete with a
mic clip and a stylish aluminium
carrying case that should provide more
than adequate protection. With the
same smart black body and grille, side
by side the two mics look like
almost-but-not-quite identical twins –
the visual differences being the model
number stencilled below the Sontronics
logo and a small square panel on the
other side of the mic which in the case
of the STC-6 is home to pad and
hi-pass switches and in the STC-80
simply has the word ‘dynamic’ letting
you know that you won’t be needing to
go near your phantom power switch.
Both mics have cardioid operation and
both feature internal shock-mounting to
help reduce handling noise.
Dyna-mic
Both of these are about 1.5” longer
than the industry standard onstage
vocal mic, the Shure SM58, and are
almost a third heavier, which some
singers using either as a hand-held
vocal mic might find a little too weighty,
although they do have an aid to
performance in radial grooves around
the centre of the body designed to
maintain grip. Not all singers want to
hold the mic, though, and both mics sit
comfortably on a stand in the supplied
clip. In terms of vocal sound, in a
side-by-side test the STC-80 dynamic
mic sounded a touch brighter than a
Shure SM58 and more similar to the
more expensive Beta model, with plenty
of presence that would help vocals cut
through onstage.
The STC-6, by contrast to its
dynamic sibling is the more sensitive
mic, as might be expected. It has a very
similar tonal character to the STC-80
but with more in the way of top end
clarity. The 75Hz high-pass filter helps
with both handling noise and any
rumble if mounted on a stand and full
marks to Sontronics for making that
and the 10dB pad switch recessed so
that they can not be accidentally
switched when in use.
Besides the hand-held vocal role
that both mics are admirably suited for,
both could be put to good use in the
studio for a number of applications.
The STC-80 worked brilliantly in
capturing the sound of a guitar cab in
our test. The STC-6 also worked fine in
that role, although with its extended
top-end response, it should be suitable
for recording instruments that occupy
higher frequency ranges than a typical
guitar speaker. In fact, we got great
results using it on a hi-hat.
Verdict
We seem to be spoilt for choice when it
comes to dynamic microphones these
days – there’s plenty of them out there
to suit plenty of different applications
and widely varying budgets – which is
no bad thing at all.
This Sontronics pair are two more
contenders among many but they have
the advantage of being suitable for both
stage and studio. If you’re looking for
mics you can use for both gigs and
studio recording, they might be just
what you need.
specs
Response: 30Hz – 20kHz
(STC-6), 50Hz – 15kHz
(STC-80)
Sensitivity: -42dB ±2dB
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Impedance: ≤200 Ohms
Equivalent noise level:
-24dB (A-weighted)
Max SPL (for 0.5% THD @
1,000Hz): 140dB
Power source: Phantom
power 48V ±4V (STC-6 only)
Connector: Three-pin XLR
Extras: Aluminium carrying
case, mic clip
Weight:
425g
WHAT is iT?
A pair of microphones
suitable for hand or stand
conTAcT
Who: Sonic 8
Tel: [phone]
Web: sontronics.com
HiGHLiGHTs
1 Crisp sound
2 Reasonably-priced
3 Handling noise kept
to a minimum
pricinG
STC-80
£70
STC-6
£106
Sontronics STC
Mics | from £70
They look like identical twins, but can Trevor Curwen
tell these dynamic newcomers apart?
VerDicT
BUILD
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VALUE
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EASE OF USE
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
VERSATILITY
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
RESULTS
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Affordable microphones for use
both onstage and in the home
studio. Great for the price.
FMU210.rev_stronics 92 7/1/09 2:35:34 pm