Looking for lightweight, rugged microphones with high sensitivity and a very low noise floor? Look no further. The Earsight Thumb borrows a design widely used in field recording — close in size to a Sennheiser MKH8040 — at a fraction of the price. The idea: give your recorder a pair of high-end mics, like a bespoke pocket recorder. The name "Thumb" came naturally, from its shape.
The angled cardioid version sets the capsules at the ORTF angle, with spacing close to the 17 cm ORTF standard (it varies with your recorder). For full ORTF specs, see the Earsight ORTF microphone. Mount on a stereo bar with standard clips, add windshields that stay in place, and step up to larger ones in strong wind. This is the version to pick for plugging straight into the recorder with minimal accessories.
I also recommend the Comica windshields — the mics are designed to fit them perfectly, and the collar on the body keeps the windshield safely in place. Outdoors, windshields are strongly advised: these capsules are very sensitive to wind.
| CAPSULE TYPE | Electret Condenser paired stereo set |
| DIRECTIVITY | Cardioid |
| FREQUENCY RANGE | 20Hz to 20kHz |
| OPERATING TEMPERATURE | -25°C->+70°C |
| POWERING | 48V PHANTOM |
| CONNECTORS | NEUTRIK XLR (Black or silver depending on availability) |
| MATERIAL | 3D printed parts with Carbon fiber reinforcement material |
| RFI NOISE | Almost insensitive to RFI noise |
| QUALITY | Audiophile high grade audio capacitor, hand-crafted silver-based soldering, MADE IN FRANCE |
| SENSITIVITY | -37 dB |
| SELF NOISE | 22 dB-A |
| SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO | 72 dB |
| MAXIMUM SPL INPUT | 110 dB |
| WINDSHIELDS |
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| SENSITIVITY | -41 dB |
| SELF NOISE | 18 dB-A |
| SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO | 76 dB |
| MAXIMUM SPL INPUT | 135 dB |
| WINDSHIELDS |
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