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Milab DC-196

Milab DC-196 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

A highly compact and versatile microphone offering three different polar patterns, low self-noise and excellent SPL handling.

Milab DC-196 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

A highly compact and versatile microphone offering three different polar patterns, low self-noise and excellent SPL handling.

Very versatile and refined.” – Sound on Sound

“[The DC-196] shines as a vocal mic, capturing a smooth, detailed and full-bodied sound that belies its small stature.”AudioTechnology

The DC-196 is a versatile power tool built around the latest version of Milab’s rectangular capsule (the 2900). It offers low noise, selectable patterns (cardioid, omni, bidirectional), excellent SPL handling and an extremely smooth off-axis response – all in a very compact format. In fact, the DC-196 is one of the smallest large-diaphragm microphones ever produced.

The DC-196 shines on transient-rich sources like acoustic instruments and, thanks to the unique properties of the rectangular capsule, it excels in recording situations where a smooth off-axis response is crucial, such as string ensembles and choirs, but also stereo setups like X/Y and Blumlein where large-diaphragm microphones are usually avoided.

A matched pair of DC-196’s will fulfil the needs of even the most demanding recording engineers.

Package includes: 3227 shockmount, 3403 windscreen and an individual frequency graph.

The DC-196 is also available with a red Nextel coating, the DC-196 Anniversary Edition.

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Specifications

  • Product name

    Milab DC-196
  • Type

    Condenser
  • Article number

    1133
  • Frequency response

    20 to 20,000 Hz
  • Polar pattern

    Cardioid, Omni, Bidirectional
  • Pre-attenuation pad

    -12 dB (switchable)
  • Max SPL (1 % THD at 1 kHz)

    132 dB
  • Max SPL with 12 dB pad

    144 dB
  • Sensitivity at 1 kHz

    21,5 mV/Pa (± 1 dB)
  • A-weighted noise level (IEC 179-A)

    11 dB (typical); 12 dB (max)
  • Power supply

    48 ± 4 V Phantom (DIN/IEC)
  • Current consumption

    4.2 mA
  • Output impedance

    <200 Ω
  • Minimum load impedance

    1 kΩ
  • Connection

    3-pin XLR
  • Length

    145 mm
  • Diameter

    27 mm
  • Net weight

    230 g

Videos

Countertenor Andreas Scholl and multiple Grammy-winner Philip Siney discuss the Milab DC-196.

DC-196 vocal session with Swedish singer Elin Bemark.

Ben Howard live at BBC Maida Vale. Milab DC-196's for lead and backing vocals.

Avi Avita and Ksenija Sidorova recorded by 2 x Milab DC-196's and 1 x Milab SRND 360.

Countertenor Andreas Scholl recording with a matched pair of Milab DC-196's for vocals.

The DC-196 is a great all-rounder that manages to avoid adding an obvious character to the sound but also manages to avoid sounding bland. Very versatile and refined.
Sound on Sound