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sE7 sideFire

90° Straight Out of the Box

The sE7 sideFire is a variant of our sE7 high-quality back-electret small-diaphragm condenser microphone intended for a wide range of studio and live sound applications, from acoustic guitars to pianos to drums and beyond, with a rotated capsule to allow for close miking

Buy now

sE7 sideFire

90° Straight Out of the Box

The sE7 sideFire is a variant of our sE7 high-quality back-electret small-diaphragm condenser microphone intended for a wide range of studio and live sound applications, from acoustic guitars to pianos to drums and beyond, with a rotated capsule to allow for close miking

Recommended Use

Acoustic guitar, choir, orchestral + strings, piano, woodwinds, drums, percussion, cymbals / OH

Highlights
Side address capsule to allow for miking of tight spaces
Optimized acoustic design, discrete class-A circuitry and a transformerless output
Clear, natural sound quality at all frequencies
Switchable -20dB attenuation pad
High sound pressure level (SPL) handling capability
Switchable low-cut 80 Hz filter
Ultra low-noise components





















Inside the sE7 sideFire

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    HIGH-QUALITY CONDENSER CAPSULE

    The sE7 sideFire specialized capsule is designed for natural, balanced sound quality, with an ultra-thin diaphragm for excellent transient response. Its cardioid polar pattern also makes it ideal for most studio and stage applications, delivering great sound for almost any source. the sE7 sideFire has a 90° side address capsule for even more versatility and ability to get into small spaces

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    SWITCHABLE PRE-ATTENUATION PAD

    The switchable -20dB attenuation pad prevents overloading your preamp or mixer and provides extended dynamic range, enabling close-mic techniques for even the loudest sources like brass instruments and snare drums.

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    SWITCHABLE LOW-CUT FILTER

    The integrated 80Hz low-cut filter helps to eliminate low-frequency rumble or footfall noise, or to compensate for excessive bass (proximity effect) with close-mic techniques.

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    BUILT LIKE A TANK

    The sE7 sideFire’s all-metal chassis provides efficient rejection of any electrical interference and noise, and its high-quality finish ensures a great look for years to come, and the gold-plated XLR connector ensures a loss-free, reliable signal for years of demanding use.

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    TRANSFORMERLESS STATE-OF-THE-ART DESIGN

    With a very short signal path and state-of-the-art electronics, the sE7 sideFire’s transformerless design ensures pristine sound quality, reproducing instruments with excellent clarity and depth.

sE7 sideFire Matched Pair

  • se7-sidefire-matching-pair

    sE7 sideFire Matched Pair

    Convincing stereo recordings require microphones with high consistency and accurate localization from the pair of microphones. Therefore, at sE every pair is selected from hundreds of individual microphones to provide identical performance. The result is the highest possible correlation over the whole frequency range, and virtually identical sensitivity for stunning three-dimensional recordings.





















Specs

Components
Capsule 1 / 2" Back-electret condenser capsule
Power
Electrical impedance <200 Ohms
Recommended load impedance >1k Ohms
Connectivity 3-pin male XLR connector
Powering 48V Phantom Power (P48 according to IEC 61938)
Sound
Polar patterns Cardioid
Frequency range 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity 19 mV / Pa (-34.5 dBV)
Max SPL 136 / 156 dB (0 / 20 dB attenuation pad)
Equivalent noise level 16 dB
Dynamic range 120 / 140 dB (0 / 20 dB attenuation pad)
Signal to noise ratio 78 dB
Low-cut filter 80 Hz, 6 dB / Oct, switchable
Attenuation pad 20 dB, switchable
Current consumption 3.0 mA
Dimensions
Mic Diameter 23 mm (0.91 in.)
Mic length 130 mm (5.12 in.)
Mic weight 163 g (5.75 oz.)
What's in the box
sE7 sideFire microphone
mic clip (with thread adapter)
wind screen

Downloads

User Manual
  • "There are not many microphones around that can make a hihat sound great without any bleed and the sE7 sideFire is definitely one of them. Super focused sound!"

    — Jurgen Vandewalle, Alien Weaponry
  • “The SE7 sideFire delivers tight, punchy tone with minimal bleed and maximum durability. Whether in a club, arena, or festival stage, the snare cuts through the mix with precision and power”

    — Charlie Bybee - MON, Slipknot
  • "The new SE7 sideFire microphone is a step up to this new style of sE condenser Microphones. First, the look and design is such an eye catching design. Second, being able to position the microphone now in spots that normally you could not with ease, makes it very handy. Third, and most of all, the sound is incredible. The tightness and sharpness of the audio pattern sounds amazing. I have been using them now on cymbals, drums and percussion, and even piano. I am looking forward to find new applications to use this wonderful microphone on. Thank you sE, for always making such incredible products. Keep up the great work."

    — Greg Barkulis, MON Earth, Wind & Fire All Stars Band/Al McKay
How should I store my microphone?

We generally recommend keeping your microphone in its case or original packaging when it is not in use for more than a few hours. If your studio is very clean and safe, it could be OK to leave the mic out on its stand when not in use, but if a mic is out of its case, it could potentially be exposed to dust, smoke, moisture, or humidity – which can damage the sensitive parts of the mic – so we recommend avoiding those things at all cost.

What are the differences between your microphones’ polar patterns? How do I choose the most suitable type of polar pattern for my recording environment?

There are no real “right” or “wrong” answers to this question, as different patterns will just provide different types of sounds, and whatever best suits your particular song is usually the right answer! With that being said:

  • Cardioid – Generally best for recording vocals or other single sources, when you don’t want to hear much of the room sound around the source.
  • Omni – This is good when you want a less focused, more “roomy” sound. Think distant drum mics in a great-sounding room.
  • Figure-8 – Since this pattern lets the mic “hear” on both sides – front and back – and reject the sounds on either side, it’s handy if you want to record two sources at once from a point in between them, without hearing what’s off to the sides.
  • Hypercardioid / Supercardioid – More directional than Cardioid, this is good for spot mics, when you want the sound to be very focused.
My guitar amplifier / drum / horn is VERY loud, and I am concerned about the risk of damage due to loud noise.

For the most part, sE mics can tolerate very high SPLs (typically over 135dB) and will be fine in front of even the loudest sources – yes, even our ribbon mics. If in doubt, you can check the specifications on the individual product page.

Which sE mic is best for recording vocals / drums / guitars / etc.?

Check out our Find Your Mic page to find the perfect mic for your application.

How do I clean the microphone from spillage and dirt?

If your microphone has come in contact with dirt or another removable substance, we recommend cleaning it with a very soft, slightly damp cotton cloth. Do not open the microphone up to clean the inside, and make sure you NEVER touch the capsule itself. Cleaning a capsule should only be done by highly trained professionals in a “clean room” environment. If you suspect your capsule needs to be cleaned, please contact [email protected] so we can recommend an authorized local technician.