Mike's Mics: Sterling Audio ST55

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Sterling Audio ST55

This is a Sterling Audio ST55 condenser microphone. It features a low-cut filter to mitigate proximity effect and low frequency vibration from external sources, as well as a -10 db pad to compensate for louder sound sources. Its pickup pattern is cardioid-only and is identical to the now-discontinued Groove Tubes GT55.

The capsule of this microphone sports a very thin 3-micron Mylar diaphragm, as well as a resonator disk mounted in front of the diaphragm to improve high frequency response and clarity on transients. My tests confirm the effectiveness of this system. Although it gives the microphone a “brighter” sound than one would expect, it is in no way objectionable or “edgy.” I do not consider this brighter character to be a shortcoming of the microphone.

The ST55 exhibits a very clear sound with an average degree of proximity effect (along the lines of what one would expect of a LDC condenser microphone). The enhanced high frequency clarity of the ST55 might make it a good choice for a vocalist or speaker with a bass-heavy voice. I would not hesitate to use this microphone for voice-over work.

I tested this microphone on my own voice, my own instrument (trombone) and also on my 1898-vintage Sohmer upright piano. In all cases, the ST55 demonstrated a very smooth response across the audio spectrum. With that being said, I did notice a slightly subdued bottom end response as compared with the MXL 960 tube condenser microphone, the MXL 992 and the TCN Audio ACM-1 ribbon microphone. This issue is more a matter of personal taste, rather than an undesirable characteristic of the ST55.

Overall, the Sterling Audio ST55 is a quality, budget-priced microphone with a very smooth frequency response and good transient response in the upper partials. I would personally choose a pair of these to field-record a small string ensemble, harp, classical guitar or an acoustic bluegrass band.

2 comments:

domJune 13, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Guitar Center Seems to be working to not let it out that they actually own Sterling Audio. However, if you check the privacy page on the Sterling Audio website you will see that the Sterling Audio name is a trademark of Guitar Center. Perhaps some folks will buy that Guitar Center might actually make a quality product, but in my books that is yet to be seen.
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UnknownJanuary 26, 2013 at 11:26 PM
Guitar Center more than likely gets its products made by the same people who manufacture products for all the other brands...so I doubt quality and craftsmanship differs very much.
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Mike's Mics

Here, you'll find reviews of inexpensive condenser and ribbon microphones with the emphasis on acoustic instruments. If you’re a pianist, percussionist, clarinetist, harpist, violinist, trombonist, etc., this blog may give you enough helpful information to make a more informed decision regarding which budget-priced studio microphone will work best for you.

Most online user reviews of inexpensive studio microphones seem to relate only to how these mics sound on drums, electric guitar cabs and vocals. There is relatively little information about how these microphones work on acoustic instruments and ensembles.

There are currently only a few companies in China that build most of the inexpensive condenser and ribbon microphones available here in the United States. They are almost always “rebadged” and sold under various company monikers (MXL, Nady, Behringer, Apex – to name a few).

There’s an unfortunate tendency to sneer and bad-mouth any equipment that comes from China, particularly microphones. Some of this is justified as quality control is frequently inconsistent and noticeable variations in the sonic character of these Chinese microphones can be very noticeable between samples of the same make and model.

Inexpensive Chinese microphones certainly don’t compare to the high-dollar “boutique” microphones by Neumann and Telefunken. Nonetheless, the overall quality of these inexpensive microphones is surprisingly good for their price range and many of them prove quite adequate for acoustic instrument/ensemble recording projects.

The question then becomes,” Should I spend $5,000.00 on a microphone when a $500.00 microphone will work almost as well?” Yes, the $5,000.00 Neumann U87 will sound better, but does it sound $4,500.00 better? For many musicians on a tight budget (like me), the answer is almost always no.

If you play an acoustic instrument, this blog will hopefully give you enough helpful information so you can make a more informed decision regarding which budget-priced studio microphone will work best for you.

Enjoy.