Mic Archive
Sony C-38B
Photo: Sony, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Sony

Sony C-38B

Large-diaphragm condenser (FET output stage), cardioid or omni, battery or phantom powered, with low-cut, high-cut and pad switches

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid / omni
Sensitivity
−48 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
24 dB(A)
Max SPL
140 dB SPL
Impedance
250 Ω
Rated range
30 – 18k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2. "Frequency Response Characteristics", "Uni-Directional"; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated. The 0° line is labelled "M" (full range).

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2. "Directivity Characteristics" beside the "Uni-Directional" response; 0° at the top, 5 dB per ring. Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB; some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 400 Hz, 6k Hz.

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All specs

From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
Sensitivity−48 dBV/Pa, 1 kHz; ±2 dB. "-48.0dB ±2.0dB" (0 dB = 1 V/1 Pa, at 1 kHz). Same in the Japanese sheet. Not stated per pattern.p. 2
Self-noise24 dB(A), or less; weighting not stated. "Inherent noise 24dB SPL or less". The weighting is not given, but 94 dB minus the A-weighted S/N of 70 dB gives the same figure.
Max SPL140 dB SPL, pad off; distortion criterion not stated. "Max.input sound pressure level 140dB SPL"; the Japanese sheet adds パッドOFF時 (pad off).
Signal-to-noise ratio70 dB, or more; A-weighted, 1 kHz, 1 Pa. "Signal-to-noise Ratio (a weighted,1 kHz,1 Pa.) 70dB or more".
Dynamic range116 dB, or more. "Dynamic range 116dB or more".
Output impedance250 ohm, at 1 kHz, balanced; ±20%. "250 Ω±20%".
Rated frequency range30 Hz to 18 kHz. "30 Hz to 18 kHz"; no tolerance given.
Powering9 V battery (006P) or external DC 24-48 V. "9 V Battery or External Power"; "External Power: DC 24 to 48V". The Japanese sheet gives the external supply as DC 48 V.
Current draw5 mA, external power; or less; also 2 mA, battery; or less. "Current drain Battery: 2 mA or less, External Power: 5 mA or less".
Low cutM, M1, V1, V2. "Tone control Low-cut: M, M1, V1, V2". The function select switch (p. 1) has five positions: "OFF; M (full range response); M1 (slight low frequency attenuation); V1 (low frequency attenuation); and V2 (severe low frequency attenuation)"; OFF switches the power off. No corner frequencies given; the response graph shows the curves.
Pad−8 dB. "Mic attenuator -8dB".
Switcheshigh-cut: off, on. "Tone control ... High-cut: 1" (one high-cut position). Not graphed with a label.
ConnectorXLR-3-12C type; also XLR-3-11C type (female), Japanese sheet. US sheet: "Microphone connector XLR-3-12C type". The Japanese sheet gives 出力端子 XLR-3-11Cタイプ（凹） (female), and says a 6 m cable comes with it; the two disagree.
Weight650 g, approx.; without battery. "Approx. 1 lb 7 oz (650 g)". The Japanese sheet: 約650g (without cable).
Dimensions78 × 214 × 46 mm. "3 1/8 dia. x 8 1/2 x 1 13/16 inches (78 dia. x 214 x 46 mm)": width (head diameter) x height x depth. The Japanese sheet: 約78×214×46mm (W×H×D, excluding projections).
Supplied accessoriescarrying case; stand adaptor (NS5/8); stand adaptor (W3/8); screwdriver; operation manual. "Supplied Accessories". The Japanese sheet lists the screwdriver as for the pattern switch, and no stand adaptors.
Effective output level-47.8 dBm (0 dBm = 1 mW/1 Pa), at 1 kHz
Induction noise from external magnetic field5 dB SPL or less (per 1×10⁻⁷ T)
Wind noise44 dB SPL or less
Battery lifeapprox. 200 h (9 V battery)
Microphone cable6 m (19.7 ft); 5.8 mm, 2-core shielded
From the spec sheet
FinishSatin nickel plating and grey baked paint. 外装仕上げ処理：メッキ処理（サテンニッケル色）および焼付塗装（グレー）.p. 1
Stand threadPF 1/2
Operating temperature0 to 60 °C (storage -20 to +60 °C)

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Sony, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on sony.jpRecording Hacks

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