The Condenser Mic Value You've Been Waiting For
The Golden Age Project FC 3 is a full-featured large-diaphragm condenser microphone inspired by vintage classics. Offering broad frequency response, wide dynamic range, and a choice of three polar patterns, the FC 3 is a versatile performer in the studio, onstage, and in broadcast applications. Golden Age bred the FC 3 to have impeccable manners, with discrete Class A electronics, a sweet-sounding top end, and the ability to handle loud sources without losing its composure. The retro sonic character of the FC 3 works well in any application where you would use a large capsule-condenser mic, including vocals and choirs, acoustic and electric guitars and other fretted instruments, and drum overheads or room mics.
Full-featured for critical recording applications
The FC 3's three polar patterns — cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 — 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), XY (including Blumlein), ORTF array, and mid-side (MS).
The FC 3 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. Every studio needs at least one quality large-diaphragm condenser. The Golden Age FC 3 is an uncanny value.
The Golden Age Project
The Golden Age Project was founded in 2005 on the belief that vintage gear sounds best and on 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 FC 3 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone Features:
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True condenser mic with 28mm, 3um gold-sputtered, low-distortion dual capsule
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Shockmounted capsule internally for reduced handling noise and structure-borne rumble
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1.10" pressure-gradient capsule
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Discrete Class A electronics
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Low-noise FET first-stage amplification
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Cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 polar patterns for sound-capturing options
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Room pickup, proximity effect, and tonal response change depending on the selected polar pattern
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External switches for highpass filter and pad
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Attractive, heavy-duty brass body
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Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz
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Equivalent noise level: 17dB, A-weighted
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Maximum SPL: 140dB; THD: 1%
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Impedance: 250 ohms; load impedance: 1,000 ohms
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Sensitivity: -37dB at 1kHz
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Operating voltage: 48 volts (requires phantom power)
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Output connector: 3-pin gold-plated XLR
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Spider-type shockmount included