Mic Archive
Sony C-800G
Photo: Sony, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Sony

Sony C-800G

Large-diaphragm tube condenser (6AU6A), cardioid or omni, with built-in thermoelectric cooling

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

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid / omni
Sensitivity
−32 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
18 dB(A)
Max SPL
131 dB SPL
Impedance
100 Ω
Rated range
20 – 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.

Independent measurement: also drawn, from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (Juan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey) (CC BY 4.0): one unit, measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.

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 some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 100 Hz, 10k Hz.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
Sensitivity−32 dBV/Pa, cardioid; 1 kHz; also −35 dBV/Pa, omni. Printed "-32.0dB/Pa"; page 1 says "-28dB/Pa", which the table does not support.p. 2
Self-noise18 dB(A), cardioid; less than; IEC 651, A-weighted; also 21 dB(A), omni
Max SPL131 dB SPL, cardioid; 1 kHz, 1% distortion; also 134 dB SPL, omni
Signal-to-noise ratio76 dB, cardioid; or more; 1 kHz, 1 Pa, A-weighted; also 73 dB, omni
Dynamic range113 dB, or more
Output impedance100 ohm, 1 kHz, ±20%, balanced
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 18 kHz. Printed "20 Hz to 18.000 kHz".
PoweringAC-MC800G power supply (120 V AC; about 65 W). The mic draws 35 W through the supply.
Connector7-pin JR16RK-7P on the mic; XLR-3 out of the power supply
Weight900 g, approx.
Dimensions57 × 191 × 237 mm. "57 dia. x 191 x 237 mm".
Supplied accessorieswind screen; cradle suspension; two stand screw adaptors; 8 m 7-pin mic cable; carrying case; frequency response chart (2)
Vacuum tube6AU6A
CoolingBuilt-in thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling with heat pipe and heat sink, for lower noisep. 1
BodyTwo-part aluminium body against acoustic vibration
Power supplyAC-MC800G: 214 x 105 x 306 mm, 5.4 kgp. 2

Documents

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

Recording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

Other mics