The Sontronics MERCURY Vintage Edition Mic & Vintage Mullard Vacuum Tube is a premium-quality valve/tube condenser microphone that offers variable polar patterns extremely low self-noise enabling you to produce rich smooth and incredibly detailed recordings. The Sontronics MERCURY is designed to sound great on everything from vocals guitars pianos drums strings orchestral work and room miking. The MERCURY microphone employs the highest-grade components and a hand-selected vacuum tube that delivers professional results. The MERCURY also comes with a large aluminium flight case shock mount bamboo box for the microphone and a mic cable. Variable Pattern Selector One of the main features of the Sontronics MERCURY is that it gives you an infinite choice of polar patterns from omnidirectional cardioid to figure-of-eight and everything in between. By using the sweepable control knob on the included power supply you can switch seamlessly between each polar pattern with impeccable precision. When you switch through the polar patterns you can hear the room opening and moving. Each polar pattern is precise providing you with a truly accurate pattern. Highest-Grade Components The MERCURY is hand-built in the UK and utilises the highest-grade components most of which have less than 1 percent tolerance. It also features a hand-selected and tested European-made ECC81/12AT7 vacuum tube which delivers superb results. The combination of quality components with Sontronics engineering and passion combine together to create one of the highest-quality valve microphones ever made. The MERCURY mic also features extremely low self-noise providing you with clear recordings. Sounds Stunning On Anything The MERCURY is designed to sound stunning on whatever youre working on. It offers a huge amount of depth and richness with plenty of character warmth and detail. The Sontronics MERCURY is versatile and can be used on anything including vocals pianos strings brass woodwinds guitars drums orchestral ensembles and room miking. Whatever youre working with the MERCURY will deliver those much needed results. The MERCURY provides you with a thick full sound as well as top-end shine. The microphone also features a -10dB pad switch for high-output instruments and a low-cut filter switch to remove any unwanted low-end rumble that may be present in the recording space. Included Accessories The microphone also comes with a range of accessories. Included is a bamboo box that accommodates the microphone allowing you to store it away and protect it from any dust when not in use. A shock mount is also included. This features a clever locking lever that provides a much tighter grip to keep the microphone steady when recording. The included XLR mic cable ensures you can get set up and ready straight out the box. Additionally an aluminium flightcase allows you to store all the accessories and the microphone together. The flightcase provides maximum protection for all your equipment when on the move. Reviews “The Mercury is a classic microphone in the making. The level of detail and warmth in the sound reproduction make this an inspiring tool to use for recording.” 10/10 MusicTech Read the full review here. “This is a truly great sounding and versatile valve mic bringing plenty of that character that warmth and detail that many others simply cannot achieve at the same time.” Audio Media International Read the full review here. Features Premium-quality valve/tube microphone Variable polar patterns – controlled via the sweepable control knob on power supply Designed to sound stunning on anything Ideal for vocals pianos strings brass guitars drums room miking and more Extremely low self-noise -10dB pad switch low-cut filter switch Employs highest-grade components Huge amount of depth richness warmth with plenty of character and detail Includes bamboo box for mic power supply shock mount XLR mic cable and aluminium flightcaseSpecifications Polar Pattern: Sweepable from omni to figure-of-eight & everything in between Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz Pad: 0 -10dB Filter: Linear 75Hz Sensitivity: 18mV/Pa -33dB ±1.5dB (0dB = 1V/Pa @ 1000Hz) Impedance: ≤200 Ohms Equivalent Noise Level: <12dB (A-weighted) Max SPL (for 0.5 THD @ 1kHz): 125dB Power: 115/230V *phantom power NOT required* Connector: 8-pin connector (mic) 3-pin XLR-M (power supply) Dimensions: 250 x 90 x 80mm Weight: 2.3g (mic only)