TM-180 is a condenser-type microphone, which is quite different from the dynamic microphone usually used in live performances. The diaphragm operates due to the pneumatic vibration. Inside of a dynamic microphone, the voice coil operates with the diaphragm, which increases the weight of the entire part. On the other hand, the condenser microphone incorporates a diaphragm in the either side of the electrode in an electrical part referred to as condenser, realizing a lightweight structure. This allows excellent follow-up performance, greatly contributing to high-precision sound. Thus the mechanism to convert into electrical signals is completely different between the two: the dynamic microphones are powered by electromagnetic induction to obtain electrical signals, whereas the condenser microphones take out the potential difference between the condenser electrodes as a signal. To give the condenser the electric potential difference, power supply is required.
The more you know the tone of the condenser microphone, the more fun it gets! TASCAM TM-180 is the standard model in the TASCAM microphone series that have been tested with the TASCAM products, specialized in the bright sound quality with a large-sized diaphragm. In addition to this, the product includes a professional-use suspension to avoid noise mixing due to the microphone vibration during recording.
TM-180 applies a large size, 34mm pure gold-coated diaphragm, and it is often characterized by its bright sounds. The frequency response of TM-180 shows a distinct curve at 1kHz or higher, and has a loose peak especially around 9kHz. By these characteristics, TM-180 acquires a clear outline in the recording of lead instruments as vocal or sax, for a strong, standout sound.
Low cut filter switch on the TM-180 enables it to eliminate the background noise or any low frequencies on some particular instruments that you want to get rid of. For recordings of percussion or other instruments with high sound pressure, turn the equipped-10dB switch on to prevent sound distortion from an instrument that has high sound pressure during the recording.
TASCAM TM-180 Features
- Condenser-type microphone
- Cardioid (Unidirectional)
- f34mm aluminum diaphragm
- Operating with the phantom power of 48V
- TM-180 studio condenser microphone1
- Suspension shock mount1
- Transducer TypeCondenser
- Polar PatternCardioid
- Frequency Response20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Output Impedance200 ohms
- Sensitivity-35dB +/-2dB (0dB=1V/Pa at 1kHz)
- Max. SPL130 dB
- S/N Ratio79 dB
- Connector3 pin XLR, male x1
- Phantom Power48 V
- Dimensions1.97" diameter x 7.5" length
- Weight14.8 oz
