The sE Electronics X1 S Vocal Pack gives you everything you need to start recording in your project or home studio. The X1 Vocal Pack includes all your recording essentials: an sE X1 S condenser microphone, a shockmount, an sE Metal Pop Filter, and a high-quality 3m mic cable. The unique shockmount mounting system makes for quick and easy setup. Whether you're recording vocals, acoustic instruments, or anything else, there's big value in the sE Electronic X1 S Vocal Pack.
Multi-pattern mics are great when the job calls for extra versatility, but a fixed cardioid condenser microphone like the X1 S offers consistency and a simpler, more direct signal path. The result is the kind of clarity and low-noise performance you're bound to hear in your mix. And since, in the majority of cases, you're going to want a cardioid polar pattern anyway, the X1 S provides the performance you need, without making you pay for features you may not need.
One of the main uses Music Experience Sales Engineers recommend the sE Electronics X1 S condenser microphone for is tracking vocals. Male, female — it doesn't matter to the X1 S. Its smooth and forgiving sound brings out the fullness in any kind of vocal style. This same broad and somewhat flattering tone also makes the X1 S an excellent microphone choice when you're tracking acoustic instruments, especially when it comes to the extended range of the acoustic guitar.
When you're up against a particularly boomy or overwhelmingly loud sound source, such as when you're close miking a guitar cabinet or acoustic drum kit, the X1 S offers a couple of tricks that will help you get the best possible sound, right at the source. For starters, there's an onboard two-position low-cut filter, which serves double duty by cutting out any low-frequency vibrations coming up through the mic stand and by mitigating the proximity effect you'll get when you place your mic very close to a sound source. If that's not enough to keep your preamp from overloading, just kick in the X1 S's 10dB pad for the extra headroom you need, or the 20dB pad for maximum headroom. The X1 S can handle sound sources up to 160dB SPL without distorting.
Earlier this year, we introduced the X1 S - an update to one of our best-selling mics of all time. The original X1 and the new X1 S may look similar from the outside, but what makes this mic so special, and why did we decide to make it even better?
The original X1 had a single low-cut filter (at 200Hz) and a single attenuation pad (-10dB). Though the inclusion of these features were enough to give it an edge on the competition, we decided to make the mic even MORE useful this time around - so we doubled both. The new X1 S now has two low-cut filters, with carefully chosen frequencies of 80Hz and 160Hz, which dramatically increase its tone-shaping capabilities and usefulness on a greater variety of voices and instruments. With these passive filter options, you can now reduce unwanted low frequencies with greater precision than before. The X1 S also has two attenuation pads, at -10dB and -20dB. This provides an increase in dynamic range and SPL handling, taking the max SPL from 135dB (with the original X1) to a truly massive 160dB - more than enough to handle the loudest of brass instruments or percussion without overloading your connected mic preamp or interface. This means much less distortion and much more sound.
In addition to the increased SPL handling and dynamic range (151dB!), with the X1 S we took great care to optimize the Class-A electronic design with updated components and improved PCB layouts. This overhaul resulted in a 7dB decrease in self-noise and a corresponding increase in signal-to-noise ratio. What does that mean? In general terms, a 6dB reduction can be thought of as "halving" the amplitude. So essentially, we cut the noise in HALF - on an already VERY quiet microphone. On top of that, we also boosted the mic's sensitivity from 25.12 mV/Pa to 30 mV/Pa. That means you can record even quieter sources (room sound, delicate instruments, whispers) withless noise, and your other equipment doesn't need to work as hard to get the levels up to a useable range - especially important with more affordable interfaces and mic preamps.
Aside from the fact that the capsule ring is now finished in "sE red", we didn't change a thing. Why? Because it didn't need to be changed. Everyone loved the sound of the original, so why mess with a good thing? It's still the same hand-crafted, hand-tuned true condenser capsule, built by the skilled technicians in our very own factory. The only thing we DID improve is our manufacturing consistency practices. That means that if you buy two X1 S microphones, they're going to sound even MORE like one another than ever before - great for stereo and other multi-mic recording techniques.
Though the outward appearance of the X1 S is similar to its predecessor, when you hold one in your hand you can immediately feel the difference. The premium paint finish is smoother and longer-lasting, the serial number is laser-engraved, the XLR connector is gold-plated for longevity, the switches feel more solid, and the mic simply feels more "expensive". All these little changes may seem small on their own, but they add up to a better-feeling, better-sounding, longer-lasting product. And that's our goal.
Microphone Type | Condenser |
---|---|
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Diaphragm Size | 1" |
Max SPL | 160dB SPL (with pads) |
Output Impedence | 125 ohms |
Self Noise | 9dB (A weighted) |
Low Cut Filter | 80Hz, 160Hz |
Pads | -10dB, -20dB |
Color | Black |
Connector | XLR |
Color | 48V phantom power |
Weight | 0.97lbs |
Included Accessories | Shockmount, Pop filter |
Manufacturer Part Number | SEE-X1SVP |