sE Electronics BL8 is a half-cardioid condenser boundary microphone built on the same hand-crafted half-inch sE8 capsule as the small-diaphragm sE8, with a three-micron gold-sputtered diaphragm. The circuitry is transformerless Class A.
A kick drum from one microphone instead of a pair
The classic approach is a dynamic in the port and a second mic outside the head — two paths, two preamp channels and a permanent question about phase between them. The BL8 reproduces low frequencies accurately enough to work on its own, and its character switch offers two ready-made options: Classic and Modern cut and shape the low mids for transient and attack, while the centre position leaves the capsule's neutral response intact for everything else. The microphone is compatible with the Kelly Shu Flatz isolation system, so it mounts inside a bass drum shell without improvisation.
Headroom to 163 dB SPL and a quiet path for room work
The two-stage 10 and 20 dB pad raises maximum level to 163 dB SPL, which covers kick, cajon and a piano lid at close range. In the other direction, an equivalent noise level of 14 dB(A) and a transformerless Class-A path let the same microphone work as an ambience mic lying on a hall floor, with the switchable 80 or 160 Hz low-cut filter taking out stage rumble.
KEY FEATURES
- Half-cardioid condenser boundary microphone
- Hand-crafted sE8 capsule with a 3 µm gold-sputtered diaphragm
- Transformerless Class-A circuitry
- Character switch: Classic, Modern and a neutral centre position
- Switchable 80 or 160 Hz low-cut filter
- Switchable 10 or 20 dB pad
- Compatible with the Kelly Shu Flatz isolation system
- Accepts the sE8 omni capsule (available separately)
- All-metal construction, dent-proof grille, gold-plated XLR connector
- Mounting points for fixing the mic to any flat surface
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Capsule: hand-crafted small-diaphragm true condenser
- Polar pattern: half-cardioid
- Frequency range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 25 mV/Pa (-32 dBV)
- Maximum SPL (0.5% THD): 143 / 153 / 163 dB (0 / 10 / 20 dB pad)
- Equivalent noise level: 14 dB(A), signal-to-noise ratio 80 dB
- Dynamic range: 129 / 139 / 149 dB (0 / 10 / 20 dB pad)
- Low-cut filter: 80 / 160 Hz, 6 dB/oct, switchable
- Electrical impedance: 60 Ohms, recommended load above 1 kOhm
- Power: 48 V phantom according to IEC 61938, 5.0 mA current draw
- Connector: 3-pin male XLR
- Dimensions: 139 × 95 × 28.5 mm, weight 538 g
- In the box: BL8 microphone, pouch
