Tonelux JC37 Tonelux

The Tonelux JC37 is the product of an endeavor by legendary engineer/producer, Joe Chiccarelli to create a present-day production microphone having the utility and singular sonic characteristics of the Sony C37a mics, manufactured in mid 20^th century.

Retaining the base elements of the original design – a vacuum tube buffered 37mm single diaphragm transducer with transformer output, the JC37 foregoes selectors for pattern, frequency response, output impedance and level of the original in favor of a cleaner signal path.

As with the mic stand mount, a three meter cable is integrated into the body of the mic and connects to a Tonelux Universal Microphone Power Supply that is capable of powering two microphones as a stereo setup. Consideration to this is reflected in the carrying case, which holds two microphones along with the PSU.

In order to provide today’s recording engineer with the sonic attributes of the original design, extraordinary care was taken to determine each contributing element in the signal path, as well as physical construction such as the head grill, etc. Listening tests throughout have been conducted at the legendary Sunset Sound Studios with access to their collection of C37a mics.

The JC37, presently in manufacture is the first in the line of Tonelux branded mics – along with a solid state BC37 currently in development.

Audio

The comparison Files for the JC 37 mic were recorded in Sunset Sound Studio One. Both mics, the Original and the Tonelux were patched into the Sunset Sound Studio One console DeMedio mic preamps. These preamps are based on the API 312 design but modified with Jensen transformers and OpAmps.

The mics were placed adjacent to each other and approximately 10 inches from the source. Mogami and Monster cables were used thru the chain. No equalization or compression was added. Care was taken to match the level of the preamp as best as possible but due to the nature of a vintage console and vintage microphones, there may be a slight difference in level.

The demonstration is to illustrate the overall tonal similarities between the Tonelux and the original. A number of microphones from the Sunset Sound Mic Locker were evaluated. Numbers 5 (my personal favorite) Number 7 and Number 8 were used in the test. These microphones use the CP2 and CP 3 power supplies.

Power Supply

Providing power to the JC37 microphone is a variation of the Tonelux universal tube microphone power supply, which with its adjustable B+ and heater voltage – along with selectable heater elevation can be configured to operate nearly any vacuum tube microphone in existence.

I/O for two JC37 microphones is provided for stereo/dual miking capability, meaning the mics are available in pairs, or that a second JC37 may be purchased at a later time, without the additional cost of another psu.

Specifications

• Type: Side address vacuum tube condenser microphone
• Pickup pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 30Hz – 20kHz
• Output sensitivity: 2mV/Pa
• Signal to noise: 68dB
• Output impedance: 200 ohm
• Max SPL: 140dB
• Tube Type: JAN-GE5654W