Sony C-800G Alternatives for Ultra-clean Vocals
Is it possible to get a high-end vocal sound without breaking the bank?
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Recording decent Pop and Rap vocals is a challenge, but with these Sony C-800G Alternatives, you’ll be on your way to clean vocal recordings.
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Since the 1990s, the Sony C-800G has been the highly sought-after industry standard for Pop, RnB, Rap, and Hip-Hop vocal recordings. Over the years, top artists like Mariah Carey, Elton John, Celine Dion, Eminem, Rihanna, and Jon Bon Jovi have made great recordings using the C-800G.
In professional studios, it’s usually combined with the Avalon VT-737sp Tube Channel Strip and the Tube-Tech CL 1B tube optical compressor when tracking. This recording chain enhances the natural silky, clean character of the C-800G.
Sony C-800G Alternatives
As we are firmly in the post-production era of modern recording, where almost everything happens in a DAW, the sound of the C-800G is as relevant as ever.
These days, it’s unlikely that you will hear a vocal that isn’t processed with Melodyne, Auto-Tune, Little Alterboy, or something similar. This software relies on pitch algorithms to perform optimally, so it requires the cleanest signal possible.
There’s no doubt that the C-800G is an unbelievable vocal microphone, but at over $10,000 it’s well out of reach of the average recording enthusiast. However, are there ways to get an irresistibly clean vocal sound that don’t require taking out a bank loan?
Sony C-800G Alternatives: Sony C-80 and C-100
In more recent years, Sony has produced more affordable microphones inspired by the same dual-diaphragm capsule technology as the flagship C-800G. Namely, this comes in the form of the C-80 and C-100 condenser microphones.
While both mics use the 2-part Noise Elimination Construction as the C-800G, the C-100 offers a wider frequency range with high-resolution audio recording.
Apart from that, the C-100 is a multipattern microphone, so it becomes a more versatile recording tool. Meanwhile, the C-80 is a great choice for vocal recording at home.
- More from SONY
Sony C-800G Alternatives: Warm Audio WA-8000
The WA-8000 is Warm Audio’s recreation of the C-800G, complete with an NOS 6AU6 tube and an external power supply. In addition, the WA-8000 housing is optimized for easy cooling, and the custom-designed heat sink ensures optimal temperature.
Meanwhile, the WA-8000 also uses a Lundahl output transformer, which contributes to the open high-frequency range, wide sound stage, and the microphone’s overall warmth.
The mic ships in a protective case with a shockmount, windshield, and a GAC-7 7-pin cable that connects to the PSU. Overall, a great C-800G alternative when you’re after a clean vocal sound.
- More from Warm Audio
Sony C-800G Alternatives: Mojave MA-200 and MA-300
The cardioid MA-200 and multipattern MA-300 are affordable C-800G alternatives with their signature tube warmth, smooth high-frequency range, and rich midrange character. Both designs make use of a custom transformer and JAN 5840 vacuum tube, while the MA-300 has a few more added features that make it more flexible.
These include a -15 dB pad, a 100 Hz low-cut filter, and a continuous pattern switching control that gives you all the intermediary shapes between cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8. Along with its wider frequency response, this makes the MA-300 more versatile, as you can make adjustments to optimize it for any recording space.
Overall, the MA-200 and MA-300 deliver a focused pop vocal sound with a cleanly balanced profile in a far more reasonable price range. This makes either of them a worthwhile investment, as you are likely to use them on other instruments like acoustic guitars, guitar amps, and in overhead configurations as well. Get it at Thomann.*
Sony C-800G Alternatives: Universal Audio Sphere DLX
The Sphere DLX is a versatile dual-diaphragm modeling microphone capable of stereo recording, and its software allows you to alter the sonic characteristics in post-production.
In addition, the LD-800 is a C-800G recreation within the Sphere microphone library. So you can replicate its similar tube dynamics and silky high-frequency response.
Be aware that this microphone has an impedance rating of 200 ohms, so you’ll need a decent preamp, especially if you’re trying to mimic the characteristics of high-end mics like the C-800G. The 710 Twinfinity is a great option because it has both tube and solid-state circuitry options.
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Sony C-800G Alternatives: Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone
The Manley Reference Cardioid Mic has been around since 1990, which is slightly before the C-800G. Its ultra-quiet vacuum tube design with a Manley IRON output transformer makes it an excellent choice for getting that clean pop vocal sound.
The handcrafted design uses 12AT7 dual triode vacuum tubes and custom-wound input transformers. This means you can expect extremely wide tonal and dynamic range.
Like the C-800G, the Reference Cardioid Mic is a tube microphone with an external power supply unit, but obviously, it only has one polar pattern. However, the Reference Cardioid is just as versatile and also excels in overhead configurations.
- More from Manley
Sony C-800G Alternatives: Golden Age Premier GA-8000
The Golden Age Premier GA-8000 is a faithful recreation of the C-800G at around one-third of the price. Like the original, it’s incredibly clean and precise-sounding, with elegant, silky highs, balanced mids, and a restrained low-end.
All the hallmarks of the C-800G design are present, including an active semiconductor cooling system, a 6AU6 tube, and you have the same choice of cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns.
If you need a microphone that looks and sounds like the C-800G, this is a great option. However, be aware that you will still require a decent preamp and recording chain to get good results. Furthermore, it’s still not in quite the same league as the C-800G.
- More from Golden Age Audio
Sony C-800G Alternatives: ADK Z² 800 Z-Mod
The Z² 800 is a large-diaphragm tube condenser inspired by the sonic characteristics of the C-800G, with a wide dynamic range, silky, crystal clear vocal response, and astonishing detail. The Z² 800 has been designed with a 251-style capsule and a custom Lehle transformer that creates its modern profile.
Part of renowned microphone designer David Bock’s Z² series, the Z² 800 features carefully chosen parts and discrete Class A circuitry. With more than 7 years of development and testing behind each of the mics in this series, you can trust that the Z² 800 has been crafted and tuned to recreate the legendary tube sound.
One advantage the Z² 800 has over many multipattern mics is that the pattern selector control is continuous. This allows you to sweep through intermediary settings between the standard cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 patterns. Naturally, the cardioid setting is standard for vocals, but you have a wide range of options, especially with a stereo pair of Z² 800s.
Sony C-800G Alternatives: Neumann M 149
The M 149 is the modernised version of the prized M 49 tube condenser with the same K47/49 capsule and transformerless tube circuitry. This design also means it has far lower self-noise than vintage mics and higher sensitivity, making the M 149 ideal for modern pop recording applications.
In addition, its low impedance rating and current sensing technology allow you to run the M 149 into any preamp stage and get optimal signal transmission and tube performance. The M 149 is equipped with nine pickup pattern modes, including cardioid, hypercardioid, wide cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8, as well as four intermediate settings.
There is also a low-cut filter with seven different settings between 20 and 160 Hz. Its smooth high-frequency range and clarity, as well as the rich, full-bodied sound profile, make it a worthy alternative to the C-800G. Overall, it’s a perfect choice when you want a natural sound with the slight harmonic enhancement of the classic tube design. Get it at Thomann.*
More about Sony C-800G Alternatives:
- Sony C-800G Official Product Page
- More from SONY
- All about Microphones
- Thomann’s Guide to Large-diaphragm Mics
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One response to “Sony C-800G Alternatives for Ultra-clean Vocals”
There are a few mics they left out. I personally own the CM800T from Advanced Audio. It competes with the C800G in direct comparisons. I prefer it because the tube they use is slightly darker in tone. A softer top end but still clear as day. Many people use the 1073 Preamp because it warms up the mids and tames the high end slightly. The tube that advanced audio uses kind of does the same thing. It was way above any other clone or emulation I’ve tried. The SA-800 is another fantastic clone from Stan Audio. I haven’t tested it. But people give it high praise and I’ve heard some great mixes using it.