CU-51
VIVID
SONIC
IMAGERY
CU-51 A Great ‘Desert Island’ Choice Dual-Capsule Cardioid Mic
This latest addition to the Sanken Chromatic range truly stands out from the crowd – if you have to choose one mic then this is the one.
It is ideal for vocals but in reality it can capture the essence of any instrument with a clarity and transparency that has to be heard to be believed. The sound is consistent throughout the entire cardioid pattern.
Top Engineers & Producers
Talk About the CU-51
United Recording Studio Staff Engineer Wesley Seidman talks about why he chooses and how he uses the Sanken Chromatic CU-51 mic for recording music.
Sound On Sound AES
Interview with Jim Pace
Sanken Chromatic’s Jim Pace talks with Sam from Sound On Sound about the design philosophy and features of the new CU-51 mic
Booth Junkie
Review of CU-51
Mike DelGaudio, the Booth Junkie, checks out the CU-51 mic against his Neumann TLM 103 in his VO booth. It shows an excellent example of how the CU-51 has consistent tonality close or further away – the proximity effect.
CU-51 Advanced Design Excels In Every Application
Perfect for vocals and music delivering all the magic
Over 90 years of technological innovation and artist feedback have gone into the design of this unique microphone. No other manufacturer includes the features of the CU-51. What you hear in the studio is what you capture in the control room. The CU-51 offers a new dual-capsule design pioneered by Sanken, providing an exacting cardioid pattern ideal for vocals and a wide range of musical applications. The CU-51 also has a very low proximity effect making vocals and instruments seem bigger than life.
A very special characteristic of the CU-51 is its ability to maintain uniform response in both on-axis and off-axis positions. It is common knowledge that varying the direction of a microphone will change the frequency response and tone.
The tone and response of the CU-51 remains consistent through changes in the axis angle while maintaining the benefits of a large capsule design. The CU-51’s frequency response is truly flat at 90 degrees, essential in maintaining sonic transparency.
The CU-51’s specially designed double capsule has one diaphragm that is optimized for low frequencies, while the other one captures the higher frequencies with guaranteed phase coherency between the two capsules in a meticulously engineered microphone that achieves totally transparent high-resolution results. The PPS (Polyphenylene) membranes are immune to the effects of humidity and temperature change, resulting in consistent response, regardless of the recording environment.
The CU-51 consistently delivers a high transient, natural and uncolored sound with vivid sonic imagery.
- Perfect for vocals and acoustic instruments
- Dual phase coherent capsules – low and high
- Uniform response in both on-axis and off-axis positions
- Truly flat frequency response even at 90 degrees
- Low proximity effect
APPLICATIONS
 | CU-55 | CU-51 | CO-100K | CU-41R | CU-44X MK II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application |  |  |  |  |  |
| Acoustic Guitar | |||||
| Background or Chorus Vocals | |||||
| Brass and Woodwind | |||||
| Drums Close Mic | |||||
| Electric/Bass Guitar Amps | |||||
| Orchestra Mains | |||||
| Orchestra Solo | |||||
| Overheads | |||||
| Percussion | |||||
| Piano | |||||
| Sound Design, Effects and ATMOS | |||||
| Strings | |||||
| Upright Bass | |||||
| Vocals |
CU-51 Applications | Brochure PDF
- Acoustic Guitar
- Background or Chorus Vocals
- Brass and Woodwind
- Drums Close Mic
- Orchestra Solo
- Percussion
- Piano
- Strings
- Upright Bass
- Vocals
SPECIFICATIONS
|
Model Name |
CU-51 |
|
Transducer |
DC biased condenser |
|
Directivity |
Cardioid |
|
Frequency response |
20Hz – 20kHz |
|
Sensitivity |
-30dB (31.6mV , 0dB=1V/Pa) |
|
Equivalent noise level (IEC) |
14dB-A |
|
Max SPL(1% THD) |
138dB SPL |
|
Output impedance( 1kHz ) |
150 ohms |
|
Powering |
+48V±4V phantom |
|
Current consumption |
4mA |
|
Weight |
430g/.95lbs |
|
Dimensions |
157mm X 41.5mm (D) |
|
Surface finish |
Matte brown |
|
Connector |
XLR-3-12C(M) equivalent |
POLAR PATTERN
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
ACCESSORIES
CU-51 Included Accessories:
Vinyl Case
CU-51 Optional Accessories:
KS-51
Shock Mount Basket Suspension for CU-51
S-51
Shock Mount Basket Suspension for CU-51
RS-51
Shock Mount Basket Suspension for CU-51
