Sontronics Delta 2 Ribbon Microphone Sontronics

The Sontronics Delta 2 is a phantom-powered ribbon mic with an RFI protection filter that’s purpose-built for guitar amps and other high-SPL sound sources.

Sontronics Delta 2 is the second iteration of the Sontronics Delta, a phantom-powered ribbon mic designed specifically for guitar amps and brass. The original Delta, the world’s first ribbon microphone designed specifically to handle higher SPL sources, was designed by Sontronics founder Trevor Coley, a guitarist himself. The Delta 2’s phantom powering provides a distinct advantage over passive ribbon mics. Being very low-sensitivity microphones, standard ribbon mics require preamps with as much as 65-70dB of very clean gain, which tend to be pretty pricey. However, the Delta 2 will work and sound great with any preamp regardless of its gain range. The original Delta, along with Sontronics’ Halo, a purpose-built dynamic mic for guitar amps, has become a must-have for the mic lockers of numerous studios and live guitarists, including Bernard Butler of Suede, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Steve Stevens, and producer Jack Douglas (Aerosmith), to name a few. When it comes to build-quality and realistic 3D sound reproduction, the new Delta 2 takes the original Delta and turns it up to 11.

Sontronics Delta 2-Just the Facts:

• Phantom-powered ribbon mic designed to handle high SPLs
• Rugged build
• No EQ necessary
• Radio frequency interference (RFI) filter
• Gives great results both live and in the studio
• Unique Sontronics shockmount
• Hand-built in the UK
• Lifetime warranty

Sontronics Delta 2-Behind the Grille

Like the original Sontronics Delta, the Delta 2 is not only the perfect partner for guitar amplifiers, but also ideal for use with other high-SPL sources, such as trumpet, trombone, and tenor sax. Compared to Sontronics’ Sigma 2 ribbon mic, Delta 2’s lower sensitivity enables it to capture incredibly powerful signals without overloading its internal preamp.

*PAD Pro Tech Note: For those who are curious, sensitivity measures the response of a microphone diaphragm’s response to an acoustic wave and it’s subsequent conversion to a voltage. Sensitivity is measured at 1kHz and expressed in millivolts per pascal (mV/Pa). One pascal is the amount of pressure at a loudness level of 94dB (written: 94dB SPL). A sensitivity rating of 20mV/Pa tells you that when a sound wave at 94dB SPL strikes a mic’s diaphragm, the output voltage is 20 millivolts. From there, all you need to do is find out a preamp’s maximum input voltage to know if the mic will overload the preamp input. A high-sensitivity mic converts an acoustic wave to a higher voltage. However, that voltage decreases the farther the mic is placed from the sound source. Since a low-sensitivity mic outputs a lower voltage, it can be placed closer to a sound source with less danger of overloading a preamp or converters.

Rugged build

The rugged Delta 2 features roadworthy build quality and multi-layer baffling, which makes it ready for life on the road as well as in the studio.

No EQ necessary

Lately, ribbon mics have become the go-to choice for guitar recording, due to their ability to sit right in the center of the cone’s high-frequency vortex and smooth out the fizz while preserving the highs. Delta 2 captures the true tone of whatever instrument you’re recording, allowing it to sit perfectly in the mix without requiring excessive gain or EQ.

Radio frequency interference (RFI) filter

The electronics uniquely incorporate RFI (radio frequency interference) filters that filter out unwanted radio frequencies, making Delta 2 (and Sontronics’ other ribbon mics) even more suited to live use than before. Sontronics ribbon mics are the only ones in the world that boast this feature.

Great results both live and in the studio

Delta 2 sounds even more stunning than the original, capturing amazing clarity and detail in the higher frequencies, together with astonishingly powerful mid and low tones. It does an incredible job of capturing every element of your guitar sound, whether you’re recording solo parts in the studio or miking your amp on stage.

Hand-built in the UK

The Delta 2 is hand-built in Sontronics’ headquarters in the UK. Featuring proprietary circuitry, the Delta 2 boasts a custom-wound, premium-quality transformer (made in Sontronics’ hometown of Poole, England), and the same excellent ribbon motor as the original Delta.

Sontronics lifetime warranty

Like all Sontronics microphones, Delta 2 is protected by a lifetime warranty, although the ribbon element itself is not, as it is subject to varying levels of wear and tear depending on how it’s used. If your ribbon starts to stretch or become damaged in any way, Sontronics can arrange a replacement via your local Sontronics service center or directly via Sontronics HQ in England.

**PAD Pro tech tip: When handling any ribbon mic, it is a standard studio practice to cup your palm in front of the mic grille protecting the ribbon element from air entering the capsule as you walk across a live room or stage.

Unique shockmount and ABS flight case

The Delta 2 comes with Sontronics’ uniquely designed shockmount and a rugged ABS flight case that protects it from all the rigors of touring and live use, as well as between studios for tracking sessions. After all, once you hear it in action, you won’t want to do a session without yours.

What the pros are saying about the Delta 2

Delta is stunning… it’s a fantastic-sounding mic. It sounded great, right in front of the speaker with no EQ. If it sounds good coming out of the amp, Delta will translate that perfectly, in 3D clarity. – Steve Stevens, guitarist-songwriter (Billy Idol, Terry Bozzio, Michael Jackson)

My Delta is permanently in front of my Vox AC30. My Les Paul just ‘agrees’ with the Delta. It gives a natural and realistic view of the noisy sounds coming from my amps. I never need to EQ it! – Bernard Butler, artist-writer-producer

Delta 2 recommended applications:

• Guitar amps and cabinets
• Brass and saxophone
• Drums

Sontronics Delta 2 users:

• Bernard Butler, artist/producer
• Steve Stevens, guitarist
• Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal)
• Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
• Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Slash, The Who, John Lennon)
• Flood (U2, Foals, Editors)
• Graham Coxon (Blur)
• Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths)
• Ed Harcourt, Songwriter/Composer
• Carey Willetts (Athlete)
• JB Pilon, producer/artist
• The Dandy Warhols
• Simon Gogerly (Paloma Faith)
• Mark Rankin (Queens of the Stone Age, Eliza Doolittle, Bombay Bicycle Club, Adele, Florence + The Machine)
• Andy Gray, composer (CSI Miami, TT3D, Big Brother, Bourne Identity)
• Warren Huart, producer/engineer
• Ricardo Dias (Heavenwood)
• Paul Fawcus/Jazzmouse (BBC Big Band, Syd Lawrence Orchestra,
• Simple Minds)
• Diego Fainello (Sonohra)
• Tigerman/Paulo Furtado, artist
• Pete Beachill, trombonist (BBC Big Band, Strictly band)
• Noko, artist/composer (Apollo 440)
• John Louis Riccardi, guitarist (Katie Melua, Jamelia)

Put a Sontronics Delta 2 ribbon microphone in front of your guitar amp, trumpet, trombone, or saxophone, and once you’ve heard it, you’ll never look back. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist-or order yours online today.  

Specifications

• Polar pattern: Figure-eight
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 15kHz
• Sensitivity: 6mV/Pa -45dB ±1dB
• (0dB = 1V/Pa @ 1kHz)
• Impedance: ≤200 ohm
• Equivalent noise level: 10dB (A-weighted)
• Max SPL (for 0.5% THD @ 1kHz): 140dB
• Power: 48V phantom power required
• Connector: 3-pin XLR
• Dimensions (approx.): 6-1/2″ x 2-13/16″ x 1-3/8″ (164 x 72 x 35mm)
• Weight (approx.): 1 lb. / 470g (2 lb. / 906g with shockmount)

Includes

• Shockmount
• ABS foam-padded flight case