Item # 271357 | Customer Ratings: 
(Based on 4
reviews)
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The Sterling Audio ST66 is a tube condenser microphone that employs a large capsule with an ultra-thin 3-micron evaporated gold Mylar diaphragm. Optimized to capture the most definition and detail from all acoustic instruments like piano, drums, and guitars, the ST66 mic's low-noise GT6205M tube in a Class-A triode circuit provides warmth and detail, adding new dimension to vocal and especially instrument recording.
This is by FAR the best Mic investment I ever made. I have NOTHING to say about this mic in a negative way. It is the best sounding mic you can ask for. Do not let the price fool you, it more than worth it. A whisper or a yell produces the exact same effects and it will serve you 2X back in tone, quality and ambient satisfaction. I use it for recording only, never took it out of the studio, So live recordings may prove to be different. But for a studio, this is one of the best values I seen yet.
I am male baritone country singer and bought this microphone solely for recording vocals. I first recorded using the preamp on the mackie mixer or on the steinberg audio interface. I couldn't seem to get the sound I was after. I felt the sound was kind of muddy and missed the subtleties of my voice. I actually preferred my sm57 using those same preamps. I then purchased a GAP Pre73 preamp and I have to say what a difference! The ST66 is now much better sounding with my voice making it sound more warm than muddy. I can hear the details in my voice a whole lot more. The sound of the sm57 improved also but it wasn't such a startling difference as the st66. I guess the bottom line is if you're going to buy this mic make sure you use a high quality preamp with it or you might be disappointed.
In recent years, the onslaught of Chinese made condenser microphones has at least given the home/project studio the 'look' if not the 'sound' of pro studios. Many of these imports are excellent values for the money but still aren't quite up to the standards required for professional recording. The Sterling Audio line of microphones changes all that. I purchased the ST66 with the intent of using it primarily as a vocal mic, wanting the traditional 'warmer' sound found in tube microphones. However, the first application I got to use it on was recording an acoustic guitar. Normally I would have used a small diaphragm condenser to capture the transients and give the guitar more bite on the picking. I was awestruck at the results of the ST66! The clarity, transparency, and the dynamic response resulted in one of the best recordings of guitar I've had in 30 years. I immediately tried it on a squareneck Dobro, and the results were just as stunning. Male vocals recorded using the mic were warm and silky smooth.. the proximity effect that cardioid mics are known for sometimes means that the low end blows out the overall sound.. not so with ST66. By using the high-pass filter, the resulting warmth is enhanced and lets the true character of a voice shine. The 3 micron diaphragm obviously results in a superior dynamic response. Coupled with the class-A tube amplifier and very low self-noise, the ST66 compares (and in my opinion) exceeds the quality of some well-known German mics that one would pay 4 or 5 times the cost of the Sterling Audio. Additionally, the mic features an -10db pad and a switchable high-pass filter. The mic is incredibly solid and well-built. The included shock mount is far superior than that found with most Chinese imports and the power supply is rugged and appears to be built to last. Overall, I cannot find any faults in this microphone other than I now want several more. Take the next step up in recording and try out the ST66. You won't be disappointed.
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