• affordable large diaphragm cardioid condenser
• 1.1” solid brass capsule w/ evaporated gold diaphragm
• Class A solid state electronics
• all Solaris microphones exhibit no more than +/- 1dB variation from each other
• cardioid, figure-8, and omni polar patterns

The Solaris is a large-capsule condenser microphone that sounds as good as it looks. Beneath the stylish exterior lies the best-sounding solid-state electronics available at any price. Vintage design principles merge with incredibly tight manufacturing standards to yield no more than +/-1dB of deviation across the entire 20Hz-20kHz frequency range. The industry-thinnest evaporated gold diaphragm also delivers incredible sensitivity. Multi-pattern architecture provides flexibility that makes it ideal for just about any miking situation—included capturing vocals, guitar, piano, drums and live events. It’s like having three mics in one.

Features

• 1.1-inch evaporated gold diaphragm
• ultra-sensitive 3-micron diaphragm
• large all-brass capsule
• cardioid, omni and figure-8 polar patterns
• 20Hz-20kHz frequency response
• +/- 1dB tolerance across entire frequency range
• Class A FET electronics w/ output transformer
• -10dB attenuation pad
• low frequency rolloff switch (6dB per octave @ 125Hz)
• includes shock mount and aluminum case

Specification

• frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
• sensitivity: 16 mV/Pa (-36dBV)
• max. SPL for 0.5% THD: 130dB
• equivalent noise level: 14dB (A-weighted)
• output impedance: 200 ohms
• recommended load impedance: > 1,000 ohms
• power requirement: 48V phantom power
• connector: 3-pin male XLR
• size/weight: 8-1/4″ (h) x 3″ (w) x 2″ (d); 1.4 lbs.
• polar patterns: cardioid , omni, figure-8

Reviews

• “the Solaris is not only a great buy but also a proud addition to anyone’s recording arsenal”
• “as one of M-Audio’s first ventures into the world of microphones, the Solaris speaks to a bright future”
• “this is a tremendous mic for the money, and recordists on a budget could track almost any acoustic sound they’d ever desire simply by owning a dynamic mic and a Solaris”
• “the Solaris mics were perfect for our guitars on the acoustic tour. It’s amazing to me that M-Audio have somehow managed to incorporate a $5,000-microphone sound (comparable to any Neumann or Sony) in an affordable and accessible product! Well done”

• DSP-controlled digital crossover and EQ > incredible tonal accuracy
• 6.5” anodized-aluminum cone LF driver > exceptionally low distortion
• broad range of onboard digital EQ controls > customizable for your listening environment
• 1” Teteron soft fabric Neodymium HF driver with built-in heat sink > accurate extension up to 27kHz with minimized power compression
• 180W Class D bi-amplification > low distortion, high efficiency
• analog and digital inputs > up to 24-bit/192kHz
• high-density cabinet > good damping and reduced acoustic interference
• custom bass-reflex dual-sided flared ports > controlled extended bass response with reduced turbulence.

The Studiophile® DSM1 reference monitor is engineered to provide superior monitoring to discerning audio professionals. The DSM1 monitor features DSP-based crossover management, an assortment of onboard digital EQ controls, proprietary high-grade driver designs, and analog and digital inputs for high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. With stunning accuracy, clarity and dynamic range, the Studiophile DSM1 monitor makes world-class reference technology accessible to a broad array of creative and professional environments.

Features

• 1” (25.4 mm) Teteron soft fabric, high-frequency dome with Neodymium magnet and ferrofluid cooling—accurate to 27kHz
• 6.5” (165.1 mm) custom low-frequency driver with anodized aluminum cone provides exceptionally low distortion
• onboard DSP manages the complex digital crossover for pristine imaging
• DSP-based EQ and Acoustic Space Controls optimize frequency response for any production environment
• bass-reflex port delivers controlled extended bass response
• high-density cabinet yields good damping and reduced acoustic interference
• professional digital inputs (up to 24-bit/192kHz): S/PDIF and AES
• balanced analog inputs: XLR and 1/4”
• bi-amplified with Class D power amps: 100 watts (low frequency) and 80 watts (high-frequency)

Specifications

• frequency response: 49Hz-27kHz
• peak SPL at 1 meter: 110dB
• low-frequency driver: 6.5” (165.1 mm) domeless anodized aluminum cone
• high-frequency driver: 1” (25.4 mm) soft Teteron dome with Neodymium magnet and ferrofluid cooling
• crossover frequency: 2.7kHz @ 24dB/octave
• HF shelf: +1.5dB, -1.5dB, -3.0dB
• mid EQ: +1.5dB, -1.5dB, -3.0dB
• high-pass filter: 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz @ 12dB/octave
• Acoustic Space Control filter: -1.5dB, -3.0dB, -4.5dB
• Desk EQ Filter 1: -1.0dB, -2.0dB, -3.0dB @ 220Hz
• Desk EQ Filter 2: -1.0dB, -2.0dB, -3.0dB @ 175Hz
• Desk EQ Filter 3: -1.0dB, -2.0dB, -3.0dB @ 200Hz
• analog inputs: XLR balanced and ¼” balanced
• digital inputs: S/PDIF and AES/EBU
• input impedance: 20k ohm
• input sensitivity: +4dBu yields 90dB @ 1 meter (trim level set to 0)
• gain trim: volume trim from -22dB to +10dB

A Great Active Monitor for Pros and Desktop Producers Alike!

The M-Audio Studiophile DSM1 active reference monitor gives you accuracy, rich, natural sound, and onboard DSP for great results – even from your desktop! The Studiophile DSM1 includes both analog and digital inputs (24-bit/192kHz), allowing you to optimize it for practically any studio environment, from pro console to “in-the-box” DAW. Its 6.5″ LF driver and 1″ HF driver receive a total of 180 watts of power from integrated Class D amplifiers. Onboard DSP not only controls the crossover, but provides extensive phase-correction and EQ functions inside the Studiophile DSM1.

Which Voice Over Microphone is Right For You?

By Dan Friedman

As a voice over artist, it is critical that you choose the right microphone for your voice, your room and your budget. When it comes to determining which microphone is right for you, there is only one good way to go about making this very important decision.

Before buying anything, YOU MUST LISTEN AND COMPARE FOR YOURSELF.

Typically, when voice talent begin their career or begin to invest in a home studio they choose a microphone based on one or more of the following: advice from friends or associates, familiarity with something they’ve used previously (perhaps an Electro-Voice RE20 from a radio station), what the sales person at the music store sells to them, or what they can afford. Although all of these factors should be taken into consideration, they serve as merely a starting point.

The advice of others is helpful, but how good something sounds to one person (or on one person’s voice) may not be as good for someone else. The best way to use the advice of others is to list all of the microphones they mention as possible options. For those who have had experience in broadcast, it is important to note that although those RE20’s and Shure SM7’s are great in radio stations for their sound and their durability, they are not necessarily the best choice for voice overs.

Of course the advice of a salesperson should always be “taken with a grain of salt”. They may be very knowledgeable, but they may also be getting incentives to sell you Continue Reading...