Pricing and availability

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Sweetwater
5.0 (15)
$16,998.00 $14,998.00 $2,000.00 · All time low

Average Price: $14,998

High-end/Boutique

$100

$401+

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Standard

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Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Sony C-800". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Sony C-800, a microphone that embodies the pinnacle of studio recording gear. Renowned for its exceptional clarity and unrivaled noise floor, this large-diaphragm condenser mic is the secret weapon of professional studios around the world. The C-800 is engineered to capture the nuanced breathiness of vocals and the intricate textures of acoustic instruments with remarkable precision. Its unique cooling system ensures the vacuum tube operates at optimal temperatures, delivering consistent sonic performance without distortion.

Whether you're recording a lead vocal, voice-over, or any acoustic instrument, the C-800's meticulously designed dual-diaphragm capsule offers electronically selectable cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns to suit your needs. With high sensitivity, it picks up every detail, making it a versatile choice for various recording applications. The mic is accompanied by a proprietary outboard power supply and essential accessories, ensuring you have everything needed for a seamless recording experience.

Key Features:

  • Large dual-diaphragm capsule
  • Electronically selectable cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns
  • High sensitivity: -32dB/Pa
  • Built-in cooling system for consistent performance
  • Ideal for vocals, voice-overs, and acoustic instruments
  • Includes power supply, multi-pin cable, cradle suspension, and windscreen
DECAP

DECAP

Setting up my new Sony C800G mic for the first time 🎤💣

Video thumbnail for Setting up my new Sony C800G mic for the first time 🎤💣 by DECAP

Setting up my new Sony C800G mic for the first time 🎤💣

DECAP

DECAP

Video thumbnail for Is the Sony C800G the best mic ever? by Thomas van Opstal

Is the Sony C800G the best mic ever?

Thomas van Opstal

Thomas van Opstal

Video thumbnail for Replacing Tubes On A $10K+ Microphone | Sony C-800G by MIXEDBYREY

Replacing Tubes On A $10K+ Microphone | Sony C-800G

MIXEDBYREY

MIXEDBYREY

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sony C-800.

Comparisons

  • The Sony C-800G is often compared to the Neumann TLM49 for its bright, airy sound, but lacks the TLM49's midrange presence and fat bottom end.

    Source
  • The C-800G is considered bright and sterile compared to Brauner microphones, which are smoother alternatives for similar applications.

    Source
  • The Slate ML-1 is criticized for sounding 2D compared to WA8000, indicating significant differences in sound quality and realism.

    Source
  • The Advanced Audio CM800T is highlighted as a viable alternative, noted for being a tad darker in tone compared to the Sony C-800.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Power and audio transformer issues are common; replacements can be costly, with the audio transformer priced around $700.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The C-800G excels in hip-hop and pop for its ability to make vocals sound detailed and present, but may not suit all vocal styles.

    Source
  • It's noted that the C-800G's sound may need EQ adjustments, particularly in the high end, to fit into a mix effectively.

    Source

User experience

  • The microphone requires careful handling and precise adjustments, likened to driving a sports car on slick surfaces, to achieve optimal performance.

    Source
  • Users note the WA8000 sounds good out of the box but suggest that it may benefit from further modifications for enhanced performance.

    Source
  • Some owners of the Slate Virtual Mic System report the issue of receiving a noisy unit, with users having to test multiple mics before finding a satisfactory one.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing the tube with a Russian 6J4P can smooth the high end on the WA8000, closely mimicking the C-800G sound.

    Source
  • Capsule replacement and specific capacitors and resistors adjustments are suggested for WA8000 to mimic the Sony C-800G more closely.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Sony C-800G's perceived value is debated; some believe it's overpriced at ~$10k, estimating a more accurate value at $5-6K.

    Source
  • The Sony C-100, an updated version of the C-800, is available for around $1400, offering a more affordable entry point compared to the C-800G.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Slate Virtual Mic System is praised for its mic locker flexibility and compatibility with pre-amp emulations, enhancing its versatility.

    Source

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Sting uses Sony C-800

Sting

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Mentioned by producer Hugh Padgham in this March 2004 Sound on Sound interview.

"His voice was always fairly dull," Padgham explains, "and I was never totally happy with his vocal sound until we came upon the Sony C800 tube mic much later on."

See how Louis Bell uses Sony C-800

Louis Bell

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

My vocal mic is a Sony C800, which I love. It has a lot of high end, but I can EQ that out if I need to. I have homed in on certain frequencies that can be troublesome at times, and with every artist that I work with and that uses that microphone I am able to get the right sound and dynamics. Post Malone and Swae Lee used that mic for 'Sunflower', Camile Cabello sang 'Havana' on it.

See how Cardi B uses Sony C-800

Cardi B

Rapper

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Mentioned by "Bodak Yellow" mix engineer Evan LaRay in this February 2018 Sound on Sound interview.

LaRay is working with Cardi B and J White on several new tracks, with a possible album in the offing. “Shaft, her manager, is overseeing everything, together with her and the record label. J White works with several different producers, and I’m recording her this time, going through a Sony C800, Neve 1073 and a Tube-Tech compressor. We record a lot. Cardi has a lot of songs in the stash. She’s very picky about the beats that are offered to her, because they have to fit her. She’s fun to work with, she’s outrageous and if it feels good to her, we quickly have a new track!”

See how Manny Marroquin uses Sony C-800

Manny Marroquin

Audio Engineer

...
Verified via Sound On Sound

He used a Sony C800 condenser microphone to take advantage of the Sony's higher sensitivity under the circumstances, but running it through his usual signal chain of a Neve 1073 EQ and a Tube-tech CL1B compressor straight into Pro Tools.

See how Ryan Petersen uses Sony C-800

Ryan Petersen

Drummer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "EPIC HOME STUDIO Setup 2024 | Ryan Petersen (studio tour)" by Andrew Masters on YouTube, at the 48:27 mark, Ryan Petersen mentions that a Sony C-800 microphone is kept in another room.

See how Laura Pausini uses Sony C-800

Laura Pausini

Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

Laura Pausini is confirmed to use the Sony C-800 microphone during the production of her song "Speranza" for the telenovela Esperança and in her duet with Hélène Ségara. This is supported by a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube by ridhonna, titled "Laura Pausini and Hélène Segara - Making of 'On n'oublie jamais rien on vit avec,'" which shows her using the original Sony C-800 model with a shockmount and pop filter to mitigate plosives and unwanted noises.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sony C-800, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

1 alternative for Sony C-800, curated by the Equipboard community.

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