Ear Trumpet Labs has been making great microphones with a steampunk aesthetic for years. Recently, they have re-designed their Josephine model, and while it’s not inexpensive (keep in mind it is a boutique product), it does deliver an excellent audio “picture” of whatever it’s paired with.
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▼ Article continues below ▼All the external features are done in the natural finishes of the metals: brass, copper and steel. Inside, the components are high quality and handmade, making sure each part lives up to its specs. This is where a handmade item is really defined. All of this time matching and assembly does have a cost, and at $599, this is where that money goes.
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The large ring has a 26mm condenser capsule suspended in the center, and can handle a frequency response of 20Hz-17Khz. Despite its seemingly delicate appearance, it’s meant for live use. It can capture a nice, natural sound that isn’t harsh while still retaining clarity and depth. For vocals, it is a bit bright, but amazingly wouldn’t feedback even when really getting on it. There is a built in pop filter as well, so there’s no need for a wind sock or any external dampening devices. For instruments, especially acoustics, it can really capture all that top end that usually has to be reined in with FOH EQ.
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Ear Trumpet Labs Josephine detail.jpg
Recording wise, it delivers the goods here as well. Some may think the large ring might be tough to get the capsule close to a sound source, but this mic can deliver a great sound at a distance other mikes start to lose focus. A lot of new microphones are designed with high tech sound modeling software, but the Josephine seems to capture natural sounds in a much more organic and simpler way.
Condensers really excel at getting an excellent audio picture of an instrument and its environment, and this is probably the audio equivalent of a classic camera. Overall, it is a unique looking mic that has handmade quality written all over it. The only downside is the metal mesh enclosure of the capsule felt a bit thin and fragile. Ear Trumpet Labs does include an extremely nice padded metal case to protect it during transport, but if it took a tumble against a hard stage it might not survive as well as industry standard dynamics you may be used to. A slightly stiffer mesh, like on their Edwina Microphone that we reviewed in January of 2013, might prevent such disasters. Considering it sounds so good, and its cost, a little extra protection would go a long way.
Excellent for capturing natural vocals or instruments, live and studio friendly.
Mesh capsule could be a bit more robust.
$599
-Hand-made microphone with unique appearance
-Capsule and electronics tuned for close vocal use on the loudest of stages with excellent feedback rejection
-Internal shock dampers for minimal handling noise
-Integral silk and mesh pop filter, for effective control of plosives without loss of clarity
-Transformerless FET fully balanced electronics
-Highest quality hand-wired electronic components, with component values tuned for the individual circuit.
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