Sony C19b

The Sony C19b is truly a rare bird, manufactured for a short time in the late 1950s. It is an omnidirectional small diaphragm tube condenser that uses a side-address 20mm gold sputtered diaphragm, feeding a 6AU6 in a cathode follower arrangement (just like in the C37a). Power to the microphone is supplied by a CP-2 PSU, which also contains the large output transformer, which is how they were able to make the mic so small. This is the same PSU used on early “old-logo” era C37a’s, which was eventually replaced by the more common CP3 and CP3b. The C19b mic is essentially a C37a with a small diaphragm omni capsule, and it sounds absolutely beautiful as you might imagine. One of my favorite details is the highly ergonomic swivel mount connector – they just don’t make things like they used to.

This is the only C19b I’ve ever seen before, although I’m sure there must be some others out there somewhere. We really lucked out with this one, it arrived looking like it does in these photos: seemingly unused or at least very well cared for. It came with the original Sony C19b microphone case and suitcase which houses the mic, cabling, and PSU. We’ve used it with great success as a room mic, as the mid mic in an M/S pair, and various acoustic instruments. Would be curious to hear it as a vocal mic as well…