TZ Stellar X2 Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
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Gearank High Notes
From "The Best Microphones For Recording Vocals" Guide
Cons
- Sounds dull and bloated on dark and low-pitched vocals such as baritone
Pros
- Warm and smooth sound - great for taming high-pitched, sibilant, and screechy voices
- High-quality chassis and internal components
A good mic for recording vocals isn't always from the bigger brands. TechZone (or TZ) Audio Products is somewhat of a lesser-known name in the recording community. The Stellar X2 is a modern condenser microphone that earned its reputation in many gear circles as a hidden gem. Thanks to its sound that's tuned to eliminate the usual "harsh treble" found on cheaper condenser microphones.
The "k67" style capsule is constructed with high-quality Japanese Mylar. It is also gold-sputtered using the company's proprietary tech. The circuitry is rounded out by a transformerless JFET circuit with up to 1% tolerance between components.
I love the warm and smooth sound this mic presents, a tonality usually not found with mics at this price point. I also praise the Stellar X2 for its build quality and taking a peek inside you will see the internal componentry is also done to a very high standard.
In TZ's quest to create a warm-sounding mic for less, they have sacrificed some versatility. I found the sound to be dull and bloated in the low midrange frequencies of baritone vocals.
The TZ Audio Products Stellar X2 is a mic with a great price-to-performance ratio. Get it if you want the best studio recording microphone to warm up higher-pitched or sibilant voices. It also does well to give a nice midrange push to instruments should you need it.
Specifications
- Type: Condenser
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 18kHz
- Impedance: 140 Ohms
- Maximum SPL: 130dB
- Power Requirements: +48V Phantom Power ±4
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Gearspace | fried fingers | 94/100 |
| Tape Op | Jason Ribadeneyra | 94/100 |
