Behringer C-3 Condenser Microphone

The Behringer C-3 is a versatile, large-diaphragm studio condenser microphone designed for those who need professional features like selectable pickup patterns at an entry-level price. It is widely used in home studios for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and ensemble groups.

Its primary advantage over the simpler C-1 model is its dual-diaphragm design, which allows you to change how the microphone captures sound based on your environment.

🌟 Key Features

• Switchable Polar Patterns: The C-3 features a dedicated switch on the back to toggle between three pickup patterns:

  • Cardioid: Captures sound from the front, rejecting noise from the back. Ideal for solo vocals and instruments.

  • Omnidirectional: Picks up sound equally from all sides. Perfect for capturing natural room ambiance or group recordings.

  • Figure-8: Picks up sound from the front and back while rejecting the sides. Useful for face-to-face interviews or duets.

• Built-in LED Indicator: A small LED on the front of the microphone lights up when it is successfully receiving 48V phantom power, making troubleshooting easy.

• Internal Shock Mounting: The dual-diaphragm capsule is internally shock-mounted to reduce noise caused by vibrations or accidental bumps to the microphone stand.

• Rugged Construction: Features a heavy-duty, die-cast metal body and a gold-plated XLR connector for maximum durability and signal integrity.

Performance & Controls

The microphone includes professional-grade switches on the body to tailor your sound:

1. -10 dB Pad: A switchable attenuator that allows the microphone to handle very loud sound sources (up to 142 dB without distorting the signal.

2. Low-Cut Filter: A switch that rolls off low-end frequencies to eliminate unwanted rumble (like HVAC hum) or to reduce the “proximity effect” (excessive bass buildup when a singer is very close to the mic).

3. FET Input: Uses an ultra-low-noise, transformerless Field-Effect Transistor (FET) input circuit to provide clear, transparent audio.

 Ideal Applications

Studio Vocals: Provides a warm, detailed capture with the ability to switch patterns for different vocal styles.

• Acoustic Piano & Guitars: The omni-directional pattern is particularly good for capturing the full resonance of a piano or acoustic guitar in a nice-sounding room.

   

• Overhead Drum Miking: Its high SPL handling makes it a capable choice for capturing cymbals and the overall drum kit.

• Interviews: The Figure-8 pattern allows you to place the mic between two people for a natural podcast or interview setup.