Sontronics Apollo 2 Stereo Ribbon Microphone Sontronics

The Sontronics Apollo 2 is a phantom-powered, stereo ribbon microphone with ribbon elements set in an X/Y Blumlein configuration for phase-coherent stereo recording on all sound sources

Embodying the advances Sontronics made on their beautifully crafted, award-winning tube microphones, the Apollo 2 is designed for stereo distance miking of orchestral and other instruments. The Apollo two features two ribbon diaphragms fixed in a Blumlein pair (which is particularly appropriate since Alan Blumlein, who invented binaural (stereo) recording, used this technique to record Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony at Abbey Road Studios in 1934.) Apollo 2’s uniquely designed, laser-welded cylindrical grille enables the microphone to capture a truly stunning and superbly accurate three-dimensional image. This means Apollo 2 is perfect not only for orchestral, choral, and piano recordings but also for capturing room ambience and drum overheads.

Sontronics Apollo 2-Just the Facts:

• Phantom-powered stereo ribbon microphone
• Two ribbon motors fixed in X-Y Blumlein formation
• Incredibly open, natural sound
• Ideal for studio or live use
• Lifetime warranty
• Made in the UK

Sontronics Apollo 2-Behind the Grille

Apollo 2’s uniquely designed, laser-welded cylindrical grille enables the microphone to capture a truly stunning and superbly accurate three-dimensional image. This means Apollo 2 is perfect not only for orchestral, choral and piano recordings but also for capturing the ambience and character of your entire recording space.

Apollo 2 also works amazingly well as an overhead microphone for drums and percussion or smaller instrument and vocal ensembles. It gives you natural, expansive results with perfect detail and clarity in the high frequencies, with a balanced depth and fullness to the mids and lows.

If preferred, you can use either of the two ribbon elements separately, enabling Apollo 2 to behave as a mono microphone. However, to do so, turn the microphone 45 degrees in order for the ribbon to be presented straight on to the source.

Getting the best results from Apollo 2 is effortless. Thanks to its phantom-powered circuit design and custom-wound, UK-made transformers, it requires very little gain and no EQ. Furthermore, Sontronics engineers have incorporated RFI (radio frequency interference) filters into the electronic design (Sontronics are the only ribbon mics in the world to have this feature) to ensure that Apollo 2’s signal is kept crystal clear, whether being used in a recording studio or a live venue.

Recommended use

Apollo 2 is designed as a distance recording microphone and should be used with care as the ribbon elements are very exposed and extremely delicate. However, with sensible placement and careful handling, Apollo 2 will bring you immense satisfaction for many years to come. In short, they’re not for close-miking electric guitar cabinets, but you can work a few feet back, which captures more of the bloom of the amp than sticking a mic on the grille. (Besides, that’s what the Sontronics Halo is for.) A special tip for handling any ribbon microphone. If you’re walking across the studio floor with the mic, cover the grille with your palm so the air doesn’t strike the ribbons and weaken their mounts.

Suggested applications:

• Overhead and room miking
• Vocal/choral ensemble & opera
• Chamber and orchestral work
• Piano
• Drum kit and percussion overhead
• Acoustic guitar

Limited lifetime warranty

Like all Sontronics microphones, Apollo 2 is protected by a lifetime warranty. However, the ribbon elements themselves are not, as they are subject to varying levels of wear and tear depending on use. If either of your ribbons starts to stretch or become damaged in any way, a replacement can be arranged via your local Sontronics service center or directly with Sontronics HQ in England.

Who’s using the Apollo 2

Since Sontronics first released their ground-breaking Apollo phantom-powered stereo ribbon microphone a decade ago, it’s become a must-have for studio owners, venues, composers, and sound stages all around the world, including Glyndebourne Opera House, the Malibu studio of composer Trevor Morris, Paul Epworth’s Church, and Abbey Road Studios, where a pair of Apollo microphones are used almost daily on their Steinway grand piano and the orchestra or choir for most of the Hollywood soundtracks recorded in Studio One. (Alan Blumlein lives!)

Sontronics Apollo 2 users:

• Abbey Road Studios
• Trevor Morris, composer (Vikings, Olympus Has Fallen, The Tudors)
• Paul Epworth (Adele, Coldplay, U2)
• Glyndebourne Opera House
• Ed Harcourt, songwriter/producer
• Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Slash, The Who, John Lennon))
• Cameron Craig (Adele, Unkle, Annie Lennox, Baxter Dury)
• Mark Rankin (Queens of the Stone Age, Eliza Doolittle, Bombay Bicycle
• Club, Adele, Florence + The Machine)
• Adam Watts (Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, The Disney Channel)
• Ben Christophers, artist/producer
• Joe Harling, FoH engineer (Michael Kiwanuka, British Sea Power)
• Andy Gray, composer (Big Brother, TT3D, Zoolander, CSI Miami)
• Noko, artist/composer (Apollo 440)
• Olivier Unia, producer/composer
• Xavier Marques, artist/producer
• Warren Huart (The Fray, James Blunt, Daniel Powter, Aerosmith

What the pros are saying about the Apollo 2

I couldn’t quite believe it when I first heard the Apollo on my piano, it’s truly stunning! I also use it as a room mic, which has totally transformed my recordings. I can’t really believe I didn’t think of getting one before. – Ben Christophers, artist-songwriter-producer

I’m enormously impressed by this fantastic microphone. I’ve never encountered a mic in the live field that matches Apollo for tonality, pickup and beautiful clarity. – Barry Bartlett, audio designer-engineer, Glyndebourne Opera

The Sontronics Apollo 2 can take your recordings to an astonishingly high level. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Professional-or orders yours online today.

 Specifications

• Frequency response: 20Hz – 18kHz
• Sensitivity: 18mV/Pa -33dB ±1dB
• (0dB = 1V/Pa @ 1,000Hz)
• Polar pattern: Figure-of-eight (x2)
• Impedance: ≤150 Ohms
• Equivalent noise level: 10dB
• (A-weighted)
• Max SPL (for 0.5% THD @ 1kHz): 125dB
• Power: Phantom power 48V required
• Connector: 8-pin connector to two 3-pin XLR connectors (cable supplied)
• Dimensions: 260 x 65 x 65mm
• Weight: 744 g (1247 g with shockmount)

 Included

• Stereo to 2x XLR connector cable
• Shockmount
• ABS foam-padded flight case