Davy Graham uses Charter Oak SA538 & SA538 microphones.

The year is 2007

Deep in the heart of Oxfordshire, Davy Graham records a fantastic new album.

Davy Graham is a living legend without any of the obligations of celebrity. He plays the guitar as a chess-player might; the seeming improbablity of certain moves to the un-enlightened make up a classical Indian defence. There is something of the aged bullfighter too, the perfectly executed turns the occasional goring but mostly the deep soaring and firing of a unique intellect and spirit. Its real and premeditated only in the moment. He is genuinely not interested in doing anything other than what he refers to as his job, pursuing certain hobbies and being anything but himself. It is perhaps this quality that Shirley Collins mis-interprets as coldness. It is very easy to mis-interpret Davy; I do it daily and I know him better than most. He is credited with starting the craze for open tunings amongst guitarists that eventually led to Nick Drake and John Martyn. Such a move might be considered un-conventional but Davy approached that from a very classical, conventional angle, how could one not and expect not to get lost? Somewhat heckled by one fan in Aberdeen last year, who suggested that Davy ought to compromise and play Anji for him, he looked out over the audience with a baleful glance and said "It wouldn't be right, she is no longer with us; she passed in Israel. Here's something from Greece though."  

CharterOak E700

The CharterOak E700 is a dual diaphragm solid state condenser microphone which employs two 1.22" center terminated, gold sputtered, Mylar diaphragms and pure class A head amp electronics. While this microphone is excellent for universal applications, its rich sound, extremely low noise floor, and build quality make it a particularly excellent choice in the broadcast and voice over environments. The E700 offers cardioid, omni and figure-8 pickup patterns and a two-step sensitivity switch.
The CharterOak E700 is designed, built, quality tested, and delivered to the customer, with the intention of providing the quality condenser microphone. This has been achieved through an extended period of research and development, together with a period of beta testing performed by a select group of musicians, engineers and producers. The end result is an extremely high quality, distinctive sounding microphone. This high standard of quality extends beyond the microphone to the cables, shock mount and protective case of the E700. Whether you are in a recording or broadcast environment, a CharterOak E700 gives the discerning producer, engineer or recording artist an attractive option.
The microphone is delivered with a lifetime warranty on all parts and labor and easy access to factory technical support.

Specifications

Acoustical Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
Diaphragm: Dual 1.22" 6 micron thick gold sputtered Mylar
Frequency Response: 25Hz-20kHz
Sensitivity: 16mV/Pa 94dB=1V/Pa@1kHz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
Impedance: < 200 Ohms
Recommended Load: > 200 Ohms
Equivalent Input Noise: 17dB A weighted IEC651
Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 125dB for 0.5% total harmonic distortion @ 1000Hz
Power Requirements: + 48V

CharterOak S600 Front Address Condenser Microphone - Sold as a stereo pair.

The CharterOak S600 Front Address Condenser comes complete with dual power supply, shock mounts, cables, locking flightcase and lifetime warranty.

CharterOak SA600

The CharterOak Acoustic Devices S600 is a front address vacuum tube condenser microphone. Delivered in sequentially numbered pairs with a lockable fight case, dual power supply, and two shock mounts and is extremely well suited for stereo recording.
The S600, like all CharterOak products, features extremely rigid construction and a clean and simple electronic design.
The CharterOak S600 uses a custom made side terminated 1.00" gold sputtered Mylar capsule and custom made output transformer. Its rich and particularly non-sibilant eq make it a perfect choice when used as a stereo overhead pair on the drum kit. The result is clean and rich cymbals with lots of sustain while picking up all of the transient peaks of the snare and tom toms.
The extended bass frequency response of the S600 makes a single S600 a perfect choice for recording bass guitar and its particularly smooth treble response makes it a perfect choice for recording bright electric guitars.
It is hard to imagine a more versatile tool in the studio than a pair of CharterOak S600 vacuum tube condenser microphones.
The microphones are delivered with a lifetime warranty on all parts and labor and easy access to factory technical support.

Specifications

Acoustical Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
Diaphragm: Single 1.00" 6 micron thick gold sputtered Mylar (side terminated)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-18kHz
Sensitivity: 13mV/Pa 0dB=1V/Pa@1kHz Polar Pattern Cardioid
Impedance: < 200 Ohms
Recommended Load: > 200 Ohms
Equivalent Input Noise: 22dB A weighted IEC651
Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 125dB for 0.5% total harmonic distortion @ 1000Hz
Power Requirements: Custom supply 115V or 230V operation with IEC type 2 AC Cable
Connection between Mic & Power Supply: 7 pin XLR

CharterOak M900

The new M900 Small Condenser is due to release in October, where it will be officially unveiled at the San Francisco AES Show. Pre-Sales can be arranged through an authorized CharterOak dealer or by calling CharterOak direct. The CharterOak M900 is the only small diaphragm condenser microphone in the CharterOak line of high quality microphones for recording and broadcast. After an extended period of development, CharterOak has met the challenge of creating a small diaphragm condenser with a reasonably flat frequency response, and the robust and musical sound for which all CharterOak microphones are known. The M900 achieves all of these goals and more, as it features a two-step sensitivity switch (-10dB and -20dB) and a two position bass roll off at 150Hz (3dB per octave) and at 75 Hz (6dB per octave). Furthermore, each M900 head amplifier is shipped with our S-5 (cardioid), S-6 (hyper-cardioid), and S-7 (omni directional) capsules, all of which enhance the functionality and versatility of the microphone. The M900 exhibits the same simplicity of design, rigid build quality and robust sound that is present in all CharterOak microphones and the M900 is backed with a lifetime guarantee and CharterOak's unequaled customer service, making it a welcome addition to any microphone collection. The microphones are delivered with a lifetime warranty on all parts and labor and easy access to factory technical support.

Specifications

Acoustical Operating Principle Pressure Gradient
Diaphragm 20mm
Frequency Response 30Hz-20kHz
Sensitivity 10mV/Pa (1kHz@74dB S.P.L)
Polar Pattern Cardioid, Hyper-Cardioid, Omni Impedance < 200 Ohms
Recommended Load > 200 Ohms
Equivalent Input Noise 18dB A weighted IEC651
Maximum Sound Pressure Level 1kHz causes 0.5% Total Harmonic Distortion @ 137dB
Power Requirements + 48V

CharterOak M900T

The Charter Oak M900T small diaphragm vacuum tube condenser microphone is excellent in situations where flat frequency response, excellent transient response, and robust and detailed sound are required. The Charter Oak M900T employs a vacuum tube head amplifier and Cinemag 2480 output transformer. The microphone utilizes modified versions of the S-5 (cardioid), S-6 (hyper-cardioid), and S-7 (omni-directional) capsule types. All three of these capsules are shipped with each M900T head amplifier, and are easily interchangeable. The M900T is equipped with a 15dB pad facility, and a 6dB per octave bass roll off at 75Hz. It is delivered in a hard locking flight case with a windsock, shock-mount, and custom power supply, and is guaranteed for life. Appropriate uses for the CharterOak M900T are acoustic instruments, amplified guitars and bass, percussion, stringed instruments, piano, and ambient room recording etc. Charter Oak M900T features include: * Acoustical Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient * Diaphragm: 20mm * Frequency Response: 25Hz-20kHz * Sensitivity: -34dB (0dB=1V/Pa) * Polar Pattern: Interchangeable via modified S-5, S-6, and S-7 capsules. * Impedance: < 200 Ohms * Recommended Load: > 200 Ohms * Equivalent Input Noise: 13.5dB (A Weighted) * Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 138dB (1kHz at 138dB causes 0.5% Total Harmonic Distortion) * Power Requirements: Proprietary Power Supply * Power Supply Requirements: 115-230VAC

CharterOak SA538

The CharterOak SA538 is an affordable, high quality alternative to other condenser microphones in its class. Its sonic integrity, extreme durability, overall design simplicity, and serviceability make it an attractive option to any of the condenser microphones of its type currently available. The CharterOak SA538 is a dual diaphragm vacuum tube condenser microphone. Nine (9) pick up patterns are switchable. It is delivered in a locking flight case, power supply, shock mount, and appropriate cables.
The high standard of quality and affordability of the CharterOak SA538 have been achieved through an extended period of research and development, including beta testing by a wide variety of end users.
The parts of the CharterOak SA538 are machined from solid brass and high quality electronic components are used throughout.
The process of creating a CharterOak SA538 Condenser Microphone is started by hand under the strict supervision of CharterOak personnel. Under that supervision the parts are quality checked and assembled at our facility in Connecticut.
The microphones are finished and the parts are quality checked a second time by experienced engineers. The process involves a seven (7) day burn in of the vacuum tube and no less than ½ hour spent with each microphone in a studio environment. Careful listening tests employ high quality microphone preamplifiers and high resolution monitoring systems. Quality checks on every component of each kit complete the process.
It is only after this exhaustive finishing and quality control process is complete, that an SA538 will be cleared for sale to the customer.
From the research and development to the delivery of every SA538, it is this attention to detail that makes the SA538 truly unique in its class.
The microphone is delivered with a lifetime warrantee on all parts and labor and easy access to factory technical support.

Specifications

Acoustical Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
Diaphragm: Dual 1.07" 6 micron thick gold sputtered Mylar
Frequency Response: 30Hz-20kHz
Sensitivity: 12mV/Pa 0dB=1V/Pa@1kHz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8, and intermediate stages selectable from power supply
Impedance: < 200 Ohms
Recommended Load: > 200 Ohms
Equivalent Input Noise: 22dB A weighted IEC651
Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 128dB for 0.5% total harmonic distortion @ 1kHz
Power Requirements: Custom supply 115V or 230V operation with IEC type 2 AC Cable
Connection between Mic & Power Supply: 7 pin XLR

CharterOak SA538B

The SA538B is a condenser microphone that employs two large, ultra-thin, side terminated gold diaphragms and a vacuum tube head amplifier using a selected low noise tube, and output transformer. As a result, the model SA538B has very low inherent noise and broad dynamic range. Its timbre is distinctive. Its rich and balanced sound makes it an ideal choice to ensure extremely high quality sound reproduction.
The high standard of quality and affordability of the CharterOak SA538B have been achieved through an extended period of research and development, including beta testing by a wide variety of end users.
The parts of the CharterOak SA538B are machined from solid brass and high quality electronic components are used throughout.
The process of creating a CharterOak SA538B Condenser Microphone is started by hand under the strict supervision of CharterOak personnel. Under that supervision the parts are quality checked and assembled at our facility in Connecticut.
The microphones are finished and the parts are quality checked a second time by experienced engineers. The process involves a seven (7) day burn in of the vacuum tube and no less than ½ hour spent with each microphone in a studio environment. Careful listening tests employ high quality microphone preamplifiers and high resolution monitoring systems. Quality checks on every component of each kit complete the process.
It is only after this exhaustive finishing and quality control process is complete, that an SA538B will be cleared for sale to the customer.
From the research and development to the delivery of every SA538B, it is this attention to detail that makes the SA538B truly unique in its class.
The microphone is delivered with a lifetime warranty on all parts and labor and easy access to factory technical support.

Specifications

Acoustical Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient
Diaphragm: Dual 1.07" 6 micron thick gold sputtered Mylar
Frequency Response: 25Hz-20kHz
Sensitivity: 12mV/Pa 0dB=1V/Pa@1kHz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8, and intermediate stages selectable from power supply
Impedance: < 200 Ohms
Recommended Load: > 200 Ohms
Equivalent Input Noise: 20dB A weighted IEC651
Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 125dB for 0.5% total harmonic distortion @ 1kHz
Power Requirements: Custom supply 115V or 230V operation with IEC type 2 AC Cable
Connection between Mic & Power Supply 7 pin XLR