sE Electronics sE8 is a small-diaphragm pencil condenser with a handcrafted cardioid capsule, available as a single microphone or as a factory-matched stereo pair. The sE8 body accepts interchangeable capsules — cardioid as standard, omnidirectional available separately as the sE8 Omni Capsule Pair — turning one body into two acoustically distinct microphone configurations.
Capsule, electronics and tonal character
The sE8 capsule is a true condenser (not back-electret) with a 3-micron gold-sputtered diaphragm, handbuilt and individually tuned by technicians in sE's own factory. The precision backplate design with an optimized electrode geometry produces a consistently smooth off-axis response — sources recorded from the side or at an angle do not harden or smear tonally. A gentle presence lift around 5–8 kHz adds clarity to instruments without the aggressiveness of cheaper small-diaphragm designs. The body circuit is transformerless discrete Class-A with no integrated circuits — this translates to excellent transient response and zero electronic noise floor contribution. Two recessed switches on the body (operated with a miniature screwdriver) provide four working settings: high-pass filter at 80 Hz or 160 Hz (6 dB/oct) for eliminating floor rumble and proximity effect in close-mic situations, and a –10 dB or –20 dB attenuation pad for loud sources. Max SPL of 159 dBSPL with the –20 dB pad engaged and a dynamic range of 146 dB cover everything from quiet string instruments in a studio to close-miked cymbals and guitar amps.Application and stereo pair contents
A single sE8 covers acoustic guitar, piano, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. The stereo pair opens up XY, ORTF, and NOS techniques — when purchased as a pair, both bodies and capsules are selected from hundreds of units for virtually identical electrical and acoustic parameters. The stereo set includes: two sE8 microphones, two foam windscreens, two mic clips with thread adapters, a 30 cm solid aluminium stereo bar, and an aluminium carrying case — a complete kit for location and session recording without additional accessories.KEY FEATURES
- True condenser (not back-electret) with 3-micron gold-sputtered diaphragm — handbuilt and individually tuned
- Cardioid polar pattern with balanced, consistent off-axis response
- Transformerless discrete Class-A circuit with no integrated circuits — excellent transient response
- Self-noise 13 dB(A), dynamic range up to 146 dB (with –20 dB pad)
- Max SPL: 139 / 149 / 159 dBSPL (0 / –10 / –20 dB pad)
- Two switchable high-pass filters: 80 Hz and 160 Hz (6 dB/oct), recessed switches
- Two switchable attenuation pads: –10 dB and –20 dB, recessed switches
- Interchangeable capsule — cardioid standard, omnidirectional available separately
- All-metal housing, gold-plated XLR connector
- Diamond-cut capsule edge — distinctive precision finish
- Stereo pair contents: 2x microphone, 2x foam windscreen, 2x clip with adapter, 30 cm stereo bar, aluminium case
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Capsule type: small-diaphragm true condenser, handcrafted
- Polar pattern: cardioid
- Diaphragm: 3 µm gold-sputtered
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 25 mV/Pa (-32 dBV)
- Max SPL: 139 / 149 / 159 dBSPL (0 / –10 / –20 dB pad, 0.5% THD @ 1 kHz)
- Self-noise: 13 dB(A)
- Dynamic range: 126 / 136 / 146 dB (0 / –10 / –20 dB pad)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 81 dB
- High-pass filter: 80 / 160 Hz, 6 dB/oct, switchable
- Attenuation pad: –10 / –20 dB, switchable
- Output impedance: 110 Ω
- Recommended load impedance: greater than 1 kΩ
- Power: 48V phantom (IEC 61938), current draw 2.7 mA
- Connector: 3-pin XLR (male), gold-plated contacts
- Diameter: 23 mm (0.91 in)
- Length: 120 mm (4.72 in)
- Weight: 141 g (4.97 oz)
