Golden Age Project TC1 Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone

The Golden Age Project TC1 is a highly versatile large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone inspired by vintage classics. Offering broad frequency response, wide dynamic range, and a choice of nine polar patterns, the TC1 is a versatile performer in the studio, onstage, and in broadcast applications. Golden Age bred the TC1 to have impeccable manners, with discrete Class A tube electronics, a sweet-sounding top end, and the ability to handle loud sources without losing its composure. The retro sonic character of the TC1 works well in any application where you would use a large-capsule vintage-style tube condenser mic, including vocals and choirs, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, strings, brass, percussion, drum overheads, room mics, and more.

Full-featured for critical recording applications

The TC1’s nine polar patterns — cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8; plus six intermediate stages — give you immense flexibility when it comes to exploring the sonic possibilities offered by different recording techniques. And owning a pair of them vastly increases the versatility of this microphone, opening up highly effective stereo recording techniques such as Spaced Pair (A/B), X-Y (including Blumlein), ORTF array, and Mid-Side (MS).

The TC1 features high 140dB SPL handling and is equipped with a 10dB pad — which means you can use it on the loudest sources without fear of overload, while a highpass filter lets you roll off structure-borne rumble that could derail a perfect performance. The TC1 includes an external power supply with polar pattern selector, a spider-type shockmount, and an aluminum flight case. Every studio needs at least one pair of quality large-diaphragm condensers. The Golden Age Project TC1 is an amazing value. Sweetwater’s advice: Stock up!

The Golden Age Project

The Golden Age Project was founded in 2005 on the belief that vintage gear sounds best, and the desire to pass on this sonic legacy to a new generation of musicians, engineers, and producers. All discrete, Class A signal paths with no integrated circuits; the use of transformers, stepped controls, and military-grade build quality — these are the cornerstones of the legendary British equipment deployed in world-class recording and broadcast studios in the 1970s — the Golden Age of analog. Fat, warm, punchy, and authoritative; this is the sound heard on countless hits for nigh unto half a century. Locating, purchasing, restoring, and maintaining vintage gear is time-consuming and costly. Fortunately, this small, family-owned Swedish company makes gear the same way it was made back in the day — at an amazingly gentle price.

A distributor of high-end studio equipment for many years, Golden Age Project founder Bo Medin wanted to be able to offer products with much of the same exclusive sound in a price range that made them available to a larger audience. Inspired by original designs, Golden Age uses modern technology to re-create that lush, opulent sound, making it surprisingly affordable. They use some modern ingenuity to add new functionality to superb classic designs and produce them in a cost-effective way, which allows them to be both optimized and affordable. From outboard equipment to condenser, dynamic, and ribbon mics, you can outfit your entire studio with vintage-inspired Golden Age gear without exceeding your budget.

Golden Age Project TC1 Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone Features:

• Pressure-gradient true-condenser mic with 26mm gold-sputtered dual capsule
• Capsule mounted on internal shockmount
• Hand-selected, low-noise 6072/12AT7 vacuum tube
• Discrete, Class A tube electronics with transformer-balanced output stage
• 9 polar patterns: cardioid, omni, figure-8, and 6 intermediate stages
• External switches for highpass filter and pad
• Highpass filter: 3dB/octave at 100Hz
• Pre-attenuation pad: 10dB
• Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz
• Equivalent noise level: 18dB
• Maximum SPL: 140dB; THD: 1%
• Impedance: 200 ohms; load impedance: 1000 ohms
• Sensitivity: -36dB at 1 kHz
• Attractive, heavy-duty brass body
• External power supply with polar pattern selector and 7-pin connecting cable
• Includes aluminum flight case and spider-type shockmount