Gemini II

The Gemini II is a large-diaphragm valve condenser that runs two tubes instead of one: a 12AX7 at the input and a 12AU7 on the output stage, with no transformer in the signal path. That layout is where its scale comes from.

The hand-crafted 1 1/4 in. true-condenser capsule uses gold-sputtered mylar diaphragms and is tuned individually at the sE factory. It covers 20 Hz to 20 kHz in a fixed cardioid pattern with 40 mV/Pa sensitivity and a 13 dB noise floor. In practice you get a close, present vocal sound with weight through the low mids and a top end that stays open rather than brittle. It is the mic to reach for when a lead vocal has to sit forward in a dense mix without EQ surgery.

A 150 Hz bass-cut filter handles proximity buildup and stand rumble, and a 10 dB pad extends its reach to loud sources: drum room and overheads, brass, electric guitar cabinets, and piano. Both switches are on the body.

The mic ships with its own power supply, IEC cable, 8-pin cable, and a custom shock-mount, so a stand and a preamp are all you need to add. Hand-made metal housing and gold-plated contacts hold up to years of session work. At 1180 g and 220 mm long it is a substantial microphone, so pair it with a heavy stand or a well-counterweighted boom.