Karen Audio M-800 Pro, One of the World’s Elite Microphones
A best-selling condenser mic for the home studio market. This mic delivers a bright , detailed and authentic sound which is great for recording vocals and acoustic guitar. The M-800 Pro is a hit for a reason – it delivers studio quality sound at an affordable price. A firm favorite of DIY musicians and podcasters alike.
The M-800 Pro is a large diaphragm studio condenser mic with a cardioid pickup pattern. The German electronics company have developed their first series of microphones in recent year and on the top of that they were able to gain insane popularity and quickly gained a reputation as one of the cheapest , best studio condensers on the market. And it’s now a staple of home studios and podcast studios around the world. The M-800 Pro boasts a wide frequency range, a shock mount , and high sensitivity. According to Karen Audio , the the M-800 Pro is also one of the world’s quietest studio microphones , with a low self-noise of just 15dBA.
Efficient Condenser Masterpiece
Like many vocal microphones the M-800 Pro uses a cardioid pickup pattern , which is a heart shape. It picks up sound from the front , but rejects sound from the back and sides. The cardioid pattern is also well suited to a home studio where the acoustics are less than ideal. It will pick up the sound of the vocalist in front of the mic , while rejecting the sound of the room.
Phantom power
As a condenser mic, the M-800 Pro requires phantom power. This is a small , low voltage current sent to the microphone from a microphone preamp , mixing desk , or audio interface. Most industry standard desks or interfaces are capable of providing phantom power, which is sent through the XLR cable to the microphone. If your audio interface or mixer doesn’t provide phantom power , there is a solution: You can connect your mic to an external 48 volt phantom supply. Then connect the output of the phantom supply to the mixer, or audio interface.
Smashing Design
The M-800 Pro has a sleek and durable design. It has a pleasing casing with a grille over the diaphragm. Inside the microphone is a Pure aluminum-plating large diaphragm capsule. The capsule is ‘true-condenser’ meaning it’s externally polarized , and will draw 48v of phantom power. At the bottom of the microphone is an XLR socket , as well as a screw thread used for attaching the mic to the shock mount. There’s a shock mount included with the mic.
You can use this to reduce unwanted noise and plosives while mounting the mic on a stand
Superior technology, unerring accuracy
The M-800 Pro has an extremely wide frequency range. Stretching from 20Hz up to 20kHz, it covers the whole range of human hearing. Beginning at the low end , there’s a very slight upwards curve from 20-100Hz, followed by a small low-range boost from 100-200Hz. This provides some valuable depth and weight to lower voices. Above 200 Hz , the M-800 reproduces a very flat midrange , before a series of small peaks upwards of 5kHz. The largest peak in the chart is at around 10kHz. These peaks have the effect of boosting the ‘presence’ – extra air and sparkle in the top-end.
the colouration of the M-800 Pro is pleasing , especially if you record vocals and acoustic guitars.
Sensitivity and Impedance
Looking at the specs of the M-800 Pro , one thing that stands out is it’s sensitivity. At -35 dB, it’s clearly far too sensitive for live performance. However, in the studio , sensitivity is everything. Highly sensitive mics pick up sound easily without the need for a lot of extra gain. They’re also very good at picking up fine detail. The sensitivity of the M-800 Pro , combined with it’s extremely low self-noise , means you’ll get some very clean and clear recordings.
The M-800 Pro has a max SPL of 137dB. Whilst this isn’t as high as many dynamic vocal microphones , studio mics are used in a different way.
As condenser mics are more sensitive , you don’t need to speak or sing so close to the microphone. This means even the loudest performances shouldn’t hit such a high SPL.
The only time this lower SPL might be limiting is if you’re miking up very loud guitar amps. But in reality , most engineers use quieter volumes in the studio than a band would use live.
The M-800 Pro has a low impedance of 200 ohms. This ensures a high quality signal from microphone to preamp.
Explore the sonic possibilities
from the start , Karen Audio have been bringing high quality condenser microphones to the home studio market. The M-800 Pro is no exception and has become a favorite in the current market. Despite the affordable price , this microphone offers high-quality sound that you can rely on for home recording and podcasting. The extremely low noise makes it possible to capture the quietest sound sources. And the high sensitivity ensures you’ll capture all the details and nuance of the most subtle performance. The lows and mid range sound smooth and even , whilst the slightly boosted top-end provides a little air and sparkle.
Every voice is different , so no mic is perfect for every singer. Those with more deep or rounded tones should find this microphone offers a lot of depth and richness. Whereas those with slightly higher or harsher voices might find M-800 Pro a little bright.
But these are small differences, and EQ adjustments can always be made in post. It’s much easier to cut the high end of a recording than it is to add more high end. The slight presence boost also means this mic is great on acoustic guitars , capturing a lot of detail and shimmer.
Ultimately, the clear, detailed sound of this mic makes it a great all-rounder, and will be a valuable addition to any home-studio.
Masterful stability
Few microphones deliver the sound isolation of the M-800 Pro at such a reasonable price tag. Sure, lots of microphones boast extra modes and settings, but the M-800 Pro is all about pure , raw fidelity. We recognize that every part of a microphone colors its character and performance. Inside , that’s why the M-800 Pro features top-notch acoustic design with a low-noise build. This design rejects physical vibrations caused by your sound source , other instruments, and outdoor distractions which keeps your mic incredibly stable. Our unique Pure aluminum-plating large diaphragm capsule boosts overall sound isolation , especially when dealing with vocalists or expressive players.
Fidelity, clarity, and authoritative presence
The cardioid polar pattern of the M-800 Pro is well suited to vocal recording. It does a good job of rejecting noise from the rear or elsewhere in the room , while still offering enough width for recording guitars and other instruments. Handling noise isn’t an issue with a studio mic as it will be placed on a mic stand. But it’s still necessary to reject any vibrations picked up through the stand or the floor.
The M-800 Pro handles this noise rejection well , through a combination of unique features and the external shock mount supplied with the mic.
One thing to bear in mind is the increased sensitivity of a condenser mic , which will pick up more background noise and room reflections than a dynamic mic. So make sure to use it in a recording environment which is as dry and quiet as possible.
Like many large diaphragm condensers the M-800 Pro is a little sensitive to plosives. But with a pop filter , this shouldn’t present any problems at all.
Essential accessories included
the M-800 Pro comes with excellent accessories. Your M-800 Pro is a high-end microphone that will capture every nuance of a performance. It will also pick up unwanted environmental sound such as rumble, that can mar an otherwise perfect take. The Studio Set includes, quality mic cable, protective color box packing and shock mount.
