Delivers Studio-grade Clarity with Twin-tube Flavor
Brandishing a transformerless twin-tube design, the fittingly named sE Electronics Gemini II offers a detailed, intimate sound reminiscent of a vintage tube condenser but with a level of refinement on par with today's most revered high-end designs. This superb large-diaphragm tube condenser mic shines across a wide range of sources: vocals, drums and overheads, room ambience, acoustic instruments, electric guitar amps, orchestral strings, piano, woodwinds, brass — basically everything. The Gemini II handles it all with aplomb. At the heart of the Gemini II lies a handcrafted condenser capsule, meticulously forged by sE's expert technicians, and it's housed in a rugged all-metal chassis, furnished with a gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragm and a gold-plated XLR connector. Moreover, you get a 150Hz bass-cut filter and a -10dB pad, enabling the Gemini II to tackle bass-heavy and deafeningly loud sources with supreme confidence. Additionally, the Gemini II comes with a dedicated transformer-isolated, discrete Class A power supply, along with a custom shockmount, flight case, and an elegant wooden storage box. Every studio needs at least one large-diaphragm tube condenser, and with the sE Electronics Gemini II in your arsenal, you're not just covering that base; you're elevating your entire signal chain!
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A bold new take on classic tube mic design
A reimagining of classic tube mic design, the Gemini II eschews the traditional output transformer for a second vacuum tube — specifically a 12AU7 — to optimize its output impedance and couple it to your mic preamp, but without the typical high-frequency roll-off associated with transformers. At the input stage, a 12AX7 tube adds rich harmonic character, giving the mic its signature warmth and depth. Moreover, the Gemini II features a handcrafted 1/4-inch capsule, individually tuned by sE's in-house technicians, which — combined with true condenser technology and ultra-precision components — delivers a pristine, sparkling high end rarely found outside elite-class solid-state mics. That's not to say that the Gemini II sounds sterile or clinical, however. Rather, it's positively teeming with the lush, thick tonality that only tubes can provide. Housed in a rugged, handmade all-metal body with a gold-plated XLR connector and a gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragm, this mic is built for maximum reliability, whether in the studio or onstage.
Captures clarity under pressure
Although it certainly excels at capturing studio vocals, at Sweetwater, we've found that the sE Electronics Gemini II isn't limited to that capacity. Rather, its versatility shines through in more demanding recording situations as well. Equipped with a 150Hz bass-cut filter and a -10dB pad, it's particularly well-suited for handling loud and heavy sound sources that might overwhelm less capable microphones. These features make it a strong choice for applications like drum room miking, where controlling low-end buildup is essential, or for capturing the deep, resonant tones of booming timpani without distortion. By managing both excessive low frequencies and high sound pressure levels, the Gemini II ensures clarity and balance even in the most dynamic environments.
Superbly designed dedicated power supply
As with most high-end tube microphones, the Gemini II is paired with a dedicated power supply. Housed in a well-designed floor box, this unit features a transparent-sounding audio transformer, yielding rich, musical performance and superb isolation — even in less-than-ideal environments. Its discrete Class A amplification provides a distinctive sonic character, offering generous headroom and an ultra-wide frequency response with absolutely no compromise. Additionally, the Gemini II comes packaged in a wooden storage box next to its custom shockmount and robust power supply, all within a secure and solid flight case.
sE Electronics Gemini II Features:
- A large-diaphragm condenser mic with a transformerless twin-tube design
- 12AX7-driven input stage adds rich, vintage-tinged harmonic character
- 12AU7-driven output stage avoids the HF roll-off associated with transformer-based designs
- Handcrafted 1/4-in. capsule, meticulously forged by sE's expert technicians
- Gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragm offers outstanding sensitivity and HF response
- 150Hz bass-cut filter accommodates bass-heavy sources
- -10dB pad tackles extra-loud sounds without distortion
- Dedicated transformer-isolated, discrete Class A power supply
- Custom shockmount ensures optimal placement in any recording scenario
- Reliable gold-plated XLR connector
- Rugged all-metal chassis
- Packaged in a wooden storage box within a secure and solid flight case
