Sterling Audio ST51 condensor microphone

[KD8LCD]

Hello, I have been trying out a sterling audio ST51 condenser Microphone here the last couple months.
The setup is an ST51 into a Behringer minimic 800 preamp I built up a L-pad circuit to keep the line levels and impedance in safe range inside of a TRS plug which then goes into my flex 3000:


Mic specs;
Preamp Class-A FET
Polar Patterns Cardioid
Frequency Response 20Hz - 18kHz
High Pass Filter N/A
Attenuation Pad N/A
Sensitivity 30mV/Pa
Maximum SPL 134dB
Equivalent Noise 22dB SPL - A weighted
Typical Load Impedance >500 Ohms
Output Source Impedance 200 Ohms transformer isolated
Dimensions 7.5” long, 1.8” max. dia.
Weight 1.1 lbs.
Power Phantom Power

I really like the ST51 it produces smooth audio that is not harsh and very articulate. [urlhttp://www.sterlingaudio.net/products/index.cfm?product=ST51 FET&modId=0][/url]

I did have some adjusting to do with the flex 10 Band EQ but not much as the ST51 is actually a pretty flat vocal microhone.

You can pick then up at most music shops there about $100.00 but have nicer audio and a better built unit then the some other offerings around. [urlhttp://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-audio.gc][/url]

Again the ST51 is a studio vocal condenser microphone that being said it does require  Phantom voltage to be applied to the condenser element.

I'm not sure about the MiniMic, it seems to work and I get very nice audio reports, but may replace it later for a mic2200 as that seems to be a more useable and stable preamp.

I did first try using an ART Tube MP studio preamp but that seemed to cause some issues and was getting traces of RF as well, I've heard others have had similar issues with the ART Tube MP series so do some testing if possible. I added several Ferrite cores both #31 #43 and #75 types to all the input and output lines including the power supply cable but still had a trace of RF with that pre-amp.

so far the MiniMic 800 has been clean, but I do have  ferrites on it as well. a couple 3 31 and 343 snap ons types