Josephson Engineering


Studio & Stage MIcrophones

Series Seven

More than thirty years of innovation go into the Series Seven from Josephson Engineering, a range of side-address large diaphragm microphones for demanding pickup applications. The original model is the C700, which is based on the concept of sampling pressure and pressure-gradient separately so that each component can be recorded on an individual track and mixed down later to derive the desired pattern and direction in production rather than at the session. The C700S is the full stereo version, with a central omni element for pressure and figure-8 elements for front-back and left-right gradients. From these three signals, any number of directional patterns can be derived, pointing in any direction. You can read the Series Seven Users Guide for more details. The C700A is identical to the C700S except that it lacks the left-right gradient capsule. While the C700A was intended for studio use where only a mono pickup is required, many studios use the C700S in that role, as the left-right gradient capsule permits the resulting mono pattern to be steered in any direction after the session. It also provide room ambient with spatial cues that may be very useful even for an essentially mono pickup.

Our newest microphone is the C705 using the large single-diaphragm capsule of the C715, in a rugged hardened-steel housing. The C705 is intended for the same studio vocal application as the C715, with its extended proximity effect and freedom from extra sibilance, but in cardioid only and with the transparent transformerless circuit from the C700 and C716.

The C715 is a special microphone with a large single diaphragm. The element has an adjustable shutter that allows it to function in cardioid or omni (or any pattern in between). The C715 is especially intended for studio vocals where the utmost of detail and nuance is needed without ever being harsh. It's also excellent for instrument pickup, particularly where other mics sound too strident. Besides the capsule design, this mic gets it particularly smooth sound through the use of an aluminum foam basket (patent pending) that provides shielding and protection without adding any internal reflecting surfaces near the diaphragm.

Introduced in 2010, the C716 which uses the dual-diaphragm element from the C700 series in a cardioid-only configuration. This combines the warmth and accuracy of the C700 series with the transparency of the metal foam basket used in the C715. It's a unique go-to microphone for any studio application where cardioid would be the preferred choice.

A special microphone intended for maximum flexibility in studio recording, the C725 uses the dual-diaphragm capsule from the C700 and C716, with a hybrid vacuum tube/FET cascode circuit, remotely switchable directional pattern, and a mode control to permit either a clean "tube sound" with some compression, or a more neutral and linear sound retaining some tube characteristics.

Series Six

Two microphones are offered in the Series Six, the C617SET and the e22S. The C617SET is the ideal microphone for any pickup whenever an pure pressure omnidirectional pickup can be used. The capsule is a nickel-diaphragm instrumentation type from Microtech Gefell in Germany and the internal electronics, operating from 48 volt phantom, provides 200 volts polarize for the capsule. The e22S originated as a special-purpose drum microphone, developed in cooperation with Steve Albini of electrical audio in Chicago. It's a small-diaphragm side-address cardioid designed for use close up to the sound source. Besides drums it's also found wide application for any close-up instrument pickup where natural sound (including the sound that leaks into the pattern from the rear)  is important.

Series Four

The most popular of Josephson mics is the C42, which is an all-around low cost cardioid mic suitable for many tasks in the studio and field recording. It has particularly low coloration off-axis and is suitable for distant pickups from drum overheads to overall ensemble miking. The C42 is available in single or matched pairs.



Addresses and Contacts

Josephson Engineering's phone is (831) 420-0888, fax (831) 420-0890, and our office and workshop is 329A Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz 95060. Or you can always email