Z5600a II
Thick, rich tube mic that will flatter any sourceThe Z5600a II large-diaphragm condenser is one of the most versatile tube mics in today's market. With 9 graded steps through omni, cardioid and figure-eight patterns, -10dB pad and bass-cut, the Z5600a II finds uses in a huge number of applications, from miking a live drum kit to overheads on a choir. Above all, though, this excellent mic has won its praise on delivering superb vocal recordings with natural warmth and incredible detail.
Z5600a II
Thick, rich tube mic that will flatter any sourceThe Z5600a II large-diaphragm condenser is one of the most versatile tube mics in today's market. With 9 graded steps through omni, cardioid and figure-eight patterns, -10dB pad and bass-cut, the Z5600a II finds uses in a huge number of applications, from miking a live drum kit to overheads on a choir. Above all, though, this excellent mic has won its praise on delivering superb vocal recordings with natural warmth and incredible detail.
Vocals, drum kit, OH, room, acoustic guitar, electric guitar cab, orchestral + strings, piano, woodwinds, brass
Inside the Z5600a II
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1″ TRUE CONDENSER CAPSULE
The Z5600a II has a 1” capsule handcrafted and individually tuned in our very own factory. Thanks to a larger-than-life capsule, true condenser technology and ultra-precision parts, the Z5600a II delivers thick and rich sound that is true to the source.
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HUGE TUBE SOUND WITH NINE SELECTABLE POLAR PATTERNS
The warmth and drive from a 12AX7 tube combined with precisely tuned capsule design, the Z5600 allows you to choose the perfect setting for every application while minimizing unwanted signal bleed with ease.
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SWITCHABLE BASS-CUT AND PAD
Not just for vocals, the 50 Hz bass-cut filter and -10dB pad make the Z5600a II useful for loud and heavy sources like drum kits, room mics, guitar/bass cabs and more.
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HAND-MADE ALL-METAL HOUSING
The Z5600a II’s hand-made metal housing and gold-sputtered diaphragms ensure maximum reliability on vocals, instruments and a range of unique use cases in studios and on-stage.
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GOLD-PLATED XLR CONNECTOR
Ensures loss-free, reliable signal connection for years and years and years and…
INSIDE THE FLOOR BOX
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9 GRADED POLAR PATTERNS & TRANSPARENT AUDIO TRANSFORMER
With 9 graded steps through omni, cardioid and figure-eight patterns for a wide range of applications suitable for everything from delicate ambience recordings to close-miking of extremely loud instruments.
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DISCRETE CLASS-A AMPLIFICATION
Delivers the sonic character and performance expected from sE’s legendary microphones with enormous headroom, ultra-wide bandwidth, and a transparent audio transformer designed for rich, musical performance and superb isolation in any environment.
Specs
Downloads
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 out on its mic 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 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 extremely 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.
I have one of your tube microphones, and it comes with a separate box that I plug the mic into. Do I need a separate mic preamp for this setup, and do I need to turn on phantom power on the preamp?
You do need a mic preamp or audio interface, as the power supply box only outputs mic-level signal (not line-level). However, you do not need to turn on the phantom power on your mic preamp or interface, as power is provided by the mic’s power supply itself.
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.