Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (17)
$14,998.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$14,998.00
Reverb
5.0 (6)
$14,995.00 New
$10,390.00 Used
B&H
5.0 (1)
$14,999.99
Vintage King
5.0 (7)
$14,999.99

Average Price: $14,230

High-end/Boutique

$100

$401+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Sony C-800G". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step into the realm of professional sound recording with the Sony C-800G, a large diaphragm tube condenser microphone that sets a new benchmark for audio quality. A radical departure from its predecessors, this mic utilizes a K67-type dual diaphragm capsule for superior sonic fidelity. Its standout feature is the inclusion of a massive heat sink/cooling system, a significant upgrade from the original C800. This innovative addition drastically reduces noise and distortion, ensuring your recordings are crystal clear and devoid of unwanted feedback.

Key Features:

  • Large diaphragm tube condenser microphone
  • Polar patterns switchable between omnidirectional and cardioid
  • Incorporates a K67-type dual diaphragm capsule
  • Employs one 6AU6 tube in the microphone's amplifier and two in the power supply as rectifiers
  • Features a large heat sink/cooling system to lower noise and distortion levels

Product specs

Microphone Type Tube Condenser
Polar Pattern Cardioid, Omni
Frequency Response 20Hz-18kHz
Max SPL 131dB (cardioid), 134dB (omni)
Output Impedance 100 ohms
Signal to Noise Ratio 76dB (cardioid), 73dB (omni)
Sensitivity -32dB/Pa (cardioid), -35dB/Pa (omni)
Self Noise 18dB (A-weighted)
Tube 6AU6
Power Source External AC-MC800G Power Supply (included)
Connector Multi-pin (mic), XLR (power supply)
Dimensions 9.37" x 7.62" x 2.25"
Weight 2 lbs
Included Accessories Windscreen, Shockmount, 26' Cable, Carrying Case

FAQs

What is the primary application of the Sony C-800G microphone?

The Sony C-800G is primarily used for high-quality vocal recordings in studios and film post-production houses, renowned for its clarity and detail.

What polar patterns does the Sony C-800G offer?

The Sony C-800G provides both cardioid and omni polar patterns, allowing flexibility in capturing sound from different environments and applications.

How does the Sony C-800G handle high sound pressure levels?

The Sony C-800G can handle a maximum SPL of 131dB in cardioid mode and 134dB in omni mode, making it suitable for recording loud sources without distortion.

Does the Sony C-800G require an external power supply?

Yes, the Sony C-800G comes with an external AC-MC800G power supply, which is essential for its operation due to its tube condenser design.

What are some notable artists who use the Sony C-800G?

The Sony C-800G is favored by artists such as Dr. Dre, Mariah Carey, Eminem, and Rihanna, known for its exceptional vocal clarity and presence.

The Press Recording Studio

The Press Recording Studio

Slate VMS vs. Sony C-800G Mic Comparison feat. Dave Hollister

Video thumbnail for Slate VMS vs. Sony C-800G Mic Comparison feat. Dave Hollister by The Press Recording Studio

Slate VMS vs. Sony C-800G Mic Comparison feat. Dave Hollister

The Press Recording Studio

The Press Recording Studio

Video thumbnail for SONY C-800G vs WARM WA-8000 can you hear the difference in the mix? by Lapography

SONY C-800G vs WARM WA-8000 can you hear the difference in the mix?

Lapography

Lapography

Video thumbnail for SONY C-800G VS GOLDEN AGE GA-800 SHOOTOUT by Lapography

SONY C-800G VS GOLDEN AGE GA-800 SHOOTOUT

Lapography

Lapography

Video thumbnail for SONY C-800G vs SONY C100 by Lapography

SONY C-800G vs SONY C100

Lapography

Lapography

Video thumbnail for Sony C800G | Unboxing & Review Powered by You by Audio Test Kitchen

Sony C800G | Unboxing & Review Powered by You

Audio Test Kitchen

Audio Test Kitchen

Video thumbnail for Stam Audio SA-800G vs C-800G by Stam Audio

Stam Audio SA-800G vs C-800G

Stam Audio

Stam Audio

Video thumbnail for История Одного Микрофона — Sony C800G by Lukashev Mixing

История Одного Микрофона — Sony C800G

Lukashev Mixing

Lukashev Mixing

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 Cheap Sony C-800G Microphone Alternative by Daniel Bijan

Cheap Sony C-800G Microphone Alternative

Daniel Bijan

Daniel Bijan

Reviews

PROS

  • Rivals top studio classics for modern, shiny production

  • Exceptional clarity and transparency in sound

  • Captures minute vocal details vividly

  • Impressive performance from the start, minimal warm-up needed

  • Ideal for high fidelity vocal recording

  • Unique look makes it memorable

  • Inspires standout performances, reducing post-editing work

  • Modern classic with reliability and warranty advantages over vintage mics

  • Provides crisp, clear, and authentic sound across various applications

  • Tube warmth adds character to recordings

CONS

  • Expensive, representing a significant investment

  • Requires 2-3 hours of tube warm-up for optimal performance

Owner Insights

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

Use cases and applications

  • It has been used successfully on acoustic guitar and percussion, but its bright nature can feel overly realistic, lacking character for some instruments.

    Source
  • Despite its price, the C-800G is often used in major studio vocal tracking sessions, delivering a commercial radio-ready sound with just the mic and a Grace Designs preamp.

    Source
  • Despite its vocal focus, the C800G has been employed in mono drum overhead setups, adding brightness to drum recordings.

    Source
  • The Sony C-800G is favored for its bright, airy sound, ideal for hip-hop, R&B, and pop where vocals need to cut through the mix.

    Source
  • The mic's popularity in Japan remains due to its unique airy sound, reminiscent of Mariah Carey's early hits, which helped cement its reputation.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users describe the C-800G's sound as the clearest and cleanest from a tube condenser, emphasizing its high fidelity in studio settings.

    Source
  • Owners find it fragile and expensive, which may limit its broader use beyond vocal applications.

    Source
  • Owners report that the C800-G often requires EQ adjustments to manage its extreme top end, making it less versatile than other high-end mics.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Only about 1 in 100 tubes meet the strict quality standards for the C-800G, contributing to its high cost due to extensive part rejection.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The mic's Peltier device uses a heat pipe and heat sink, similar to technology in power amps, to manage thermal conditions effectively.

    Source
  • The C-800G employs a Peltier cooling system to reduce tube heat, minimizing self-noise and maintaining signal clarity.

    Source
  • The C800-G offers a detailed, airy sound that can feel pre-processed, which some find sterile while others value its clarity and presence.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The C800G's high-end emphasis between 1kHz and 10kHz distinguishes it from the flatter frequency response of the U87, which is more mid-range focused.

    Source
  • The C800-G is likened to a "sports car on a slick surface," requiring careful handling to achieve desired vocal effects, compared to the more forgiving TLM49.

    Source
  • The TLM49 is preferred by some for its ample midrange and clean sound, contrasting with the C800-G's bright and sibilant nature.

    Source

Build quality

  • The C800G is described as large and cumbersome, making it difficult to position for non-vocal recordings.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Power transformer issues are common; replacements are expensive, with only one known supplier in Japan charging $700 each before shipping.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Sony C-800G: Hip-hop's (Not So) Secret Weapon - InSync

sweetwater.com

The Sony C-800G is a revered choice in elite studios, praised for its crystal-clear sound and ultra-low noise. Its unique cooling system and high sensitivity make it a favorite among top rap artists, offering unparalleled vocal clarity without EQ. However, its $15,000 price tag limits accessibility, making it more of a status symbol. For budget-conscious studios, alternatives like the Warm Audio WA-8000 offer similar features at a fraction of the cost. Overall, the C-800G is a top-tier mic for those who can afford it, but there are more affordable options that come close in performance.

positive
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
tylergomezmusic

Amazing Mic In The Studio

Seriously Love This Mic. It preforms amazing in the sudio

madt3o

Is a Valve mic?! cause here is in the condenser cat.

P

uhhh vocals.. duh.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mariah Carey uses Sony C-800G

Mariah Carey

Singer, Composer

Artists Stand Up to Cancer

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture from Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross duet "Endless Love" music video, Mariah was using Sony C-800G. Mariah was one of the first artists to use this microphone (around 1993) considering she was signed to Sony at that time, and she has been seen using it many times in her career

See how Rosalía uses Sony C-800G

Rosalía

Singer, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

Rosalía posted a story in which the Sony C-800G can be seen.

See how DaBaby uses Sony C-800G

DaBaby

Rapper

...
Verified via Photo

DaBaby uses the Sony C-800G condenser microphone for recording his music, as shown on his Instagram.

See how 50 Cent uses Sony C-800G

50 Cent

Rapper

G-Unit

...
Verified via Gearslutz

Used for "In da Club", as stated by producer Dr. Dre in this transcribed March 2005 interview.

50 CENT

"In Da Club"

Producer: Dr. Dre

Engineer: Vito (Mauricio Iragorri)

"With 50, he's an artist with such an amazing voice," says Vito. "You just put him behind a microphone and it just sounds good! My job is make sure it doesn't distort and it's not overloading. While he's vibing and doing his thing, I'm scrambling to make sure nothing is going wrong with the signal path."

"Recording vocals with Dre is a meticulous process," Vito reveals. "There are some exceptions, like 50 is an exception. There are some people that just do it, and there's not much punching involved. And there are other people who need a lot of punching, and that means maybe a couple words at a time until all the rhythm and the pockets are correct. Dre has an amazing sense of rhythm. He hears all these crazy rhythms in the vocal and, because he's a rapper as well, he knows how it should be performed. As a producer he's great, but as a rapper he knows what pocket they should be hitting and he can really coach someone well. Working with Dre on vocals is cool because you get to see how he directs someone and they actually sound the best they've ever sounded."

Signal Path: Tracking

"I like my vocals to sound 'crystal,'" says Dre. "I use the Sony C800-G for vocals because it has a clean sound and about 85% of the people that get behind it sound great. My main objective is that the vocal sound is present and clean and ultimately does not distort. I get the sound I want out of the EQ on the SSL. We've used it forever and have made many hits on it, including 50's 'In Da Club.'"

"We come from the Sony C800-G and out of that into the Neve 1073 mic pre," explains Vito. "We don't use the EQ, because most of the time it sounds good flat. If there's a need for it we'll engage it, but for 50 Cent on 'In Da Club' we didn't use any EQ. Then we took it out of the Neve mic pre into the Avalon 737-SP compressor. It's a mic pre with EQ, and it actually has a compressor, but we're not using any of the mic pre on the Avalon - we're just going straight into the line input. From the output of the Neve it goes into the line input of the Avalon, which allows you to use the compressor alone. We set the compression ratio around 7:1 and the threshold usually hovers at around 0. I set it at a medium attack and fast release. I'd say we're using around 3 or 4 dB of compression, sometimes up to 7 dB. On 'In Da Club' it was about 4 or 5. Then it comes back into the SSL 4000 G with E modules (at Encore Studio) and we bring it back on the insert.

"There's a patch on the patch bay that says 'insert return,'" he continues, "and that's where we bring the vocal back into the insert return, because it's the shortest patch before you actually hear the vocal. It has the least amount of circuitry of anything in the channel, so you're bypassing the EQ, the dynamics. You could use it all, but if you really want the shortest, cleanest signal, that's the way to go. Then we bus it out to Pro Tools HD and we use the small fader to send it to PT. That's about it."

Discovery

"The way we came to this chain is - a while ago, when I first started out, I was assisting for Dr. Dre," says Vito. "I noticed how their engineer was doing it and it sounded good. The records sounded amazing, so when Dre hired me to engineer, I told him, 'Ya gotta buy some of these,' and he bought some 1073s. I had heard for a long time that they were really good mic pre's to run vocals through. At Encore, where I was assisting, they had one there, and anytime we were doing a session we would always run vocals through it. So when I saw Dre doing it, it was just cool seeing a rap guy using a 1073! That's how we came up with it. As for the compressor, it's just a good tube-sounding compressor. Sometimes we use the DBX 160 - the original - as an alternate compressor; it sounds good and we've used that on a lot of records."

Signal Path: Mixdown

The Yamaha SPX-1000 played a prominent role in mixdown. "We used a REV-5 room setting," says Vito. "There are a couple patches in there that sound really good. They're old reverbs and they're not the best nor most expensive, but they sound good, they're reliable, and that's all that matters! For R&B the Lexicon reverbs sound great. They work good for R&B, but for rap the SPX works good. We've used Lexicon's before too and they work okay. It's depends on the song and the artist and what you're looking for in the song. Like on Eve's stuff we used the SPX-1000, too."

See how Quavo uses Sony C-800G

Quavo

Rapper

Migos

...
Verified via Photo

Quavo spotted using the c-800g in the second photo of this series of photos on Travis Scott's instagram.

See how David Tibet uses Sony C-800G

David Tibet

Singer, Composer

Death In June

...
Verified via Brainwashed

Credited on the Plays Wooden Child album: "David Tibet only sings Assyrian and Babylonian using the following microphones, which he utterly endorses"

See how Trippie Redd uses Sony C-800G

Trippie Redd

Rapper, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:11 Trippie uses a Sony C-800G to record vocals.

See how Jennifer Lopez uses Sony C-800G

Jennifer Lopez

Singer

All Star Tribute

...
Verified via YouTube

Jen uses this mic a lot in her studio sessions and in her youtube videos,highly detailed accuracy,released around 1991,this bright bright brightly shining microphones captures everything about your voice and puts in the high frequencies clarity zone,so that you have bright but not harsh,natural sounding recordings. pop filter used,for better

See how Stuart Price uses Sony C-800G

Stuart Price

Music Producer

The Killers

...
Verified via Soundonsound

“The mics were a combination of Sony C800G and Rode NT2,” he adds. “About 60 percent of the vox were on the Rode.

See how Vince Staples uses Sony C-800G

Vince Staples

Singer, Rapper

...
Verified via Photo

Used for "In My Sussy's", as can be seen in this December 11, 2020 Instagram post by Ari Mairena-Dannon.

See how Joey Bada$$ uses Sony C-800G

Joey Bada$$

Rapper

Zulu Nation

...
Verified via YouTube

Item can be seen throughout the video

See how Spencer Sotelo uses Sony C-800G

Spencer Sotelo

Singer

Periphery

...
Verified via YouTube

At 16:40 Spencer expresses his love for this mic on various vocal styles.

This mic was discontinued by Sony.

Album Usage

The Sony C-800G has been featured on the following albums:

Sony C-800G as heard on Gelido (feat. Mario Biondi) by Alex Britti (2026)

Gelido (feat. Mario Biondi)

Alex Britti (2026)

Sony C-800G as heard on blog era boyz by Wiz Khalifa & Machine Gun Kelly (2026)

blog era boyz

Wiz Khalifa & Machine Gun Kelly (2026)

Sony C-800G as heard on Who Believes In Angels? by Elton John & Brandi Carlile (2025)

Who Believes In Angels?

Elton John & Brandi Carlile (2025)

Sony C-800G as heard on Even In Arcadia by Sleep Token (2025)

Even In Arcadia

Sleep Token (2025)

Sony C-800G as heard on Skin (The Collaboration Remix Edit) by Madonna & Madonna (2025)

Skin (The Collaboration Remix Edit)

Madonna & Madonna (2025)

Sony C-800G as heard on lost americana by Machine Gun Kelly (2025)

lost americana

Machine Gun Kelly (2025)

Sony C-800G as heard on Tickets To My Downfall (All Access) by Machine Gun Kelly (2025)

Tickets To My Downfall (All Access)

Machine Gun Kelly (2025)

Sony C-800G as heard on Santa Baby by Kim Kardashian (2024)

Santa Baby

Kim Kardashian (2024)

Sony C-800G as heard on Gunz N Smoke (feat. 50 Cent & Eminem) by Eminem & Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre (2024)

Gunz N Smoke (feat. 50 Cent & Eminem)

Eminem & Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre (2024)

Sony C-800G as heard on Suave by Big Time Rush (2023)

Suave

Big Time Rush (2023)

Sony C-800G as heard on 35's by Tyler Hubbard (2022)

35's

Tyler Hubbard (2022)

Sony C-800G as heard on IM NAYEON by Nayeon (2022)

IM NAYEON

Nayeon (2022)

Sony C-800G as heard on KEEP GOING (feat. Lil Durk, 21 Savage & Roddy Ricch) by DJ Khaled & Lil Durk & 21 Savage & Roddy Ricch (2022)

KEEP GOING (feat. Lil Durk, 21 Savage & Roddy Ricch)

DJ Khaled & Lil Durk & 21 Savage & Roddy Ricch (2022)

Sony C-800G as heard on So Far So Good by The Chainsmokers (2022)

So Far So Good

The Chainsmokers (2022)

Sony C-800G as heard on INTER SHIBUYA - LA MAFIA by Feid (2021)

INTER SHIBUYA - LA MAFIA

Feid (2021)

Sony C-800G as heard on Tell Me About Tomorrow by jxdn (2021)

Tell Me About Tomorrow

jxdn (2021)

Sony C-800G as heard on Mood (feat. iann dior) [Live] by 24kGoldn & iann dior (2021)

Mood (feat. iann dior) [Live]

24kGoldn & iann dior (2021)

Sony C-800G as heard on The Good Times and The Bad Ones by Why Don’t We (2021)

The Good Times and The Bad Ones

Why Don’t We (2021)

Sony C-800G as heard on Followers by AREA21 & Martin Garrix & Maejor (2021)

Followers

AREA21 & Martin Garrix & Maejor (2021)

Sony C-800G as heard on The Greenhouse Effect Vol.3 by Asher Roth (2021)

The Greenhouse Effect Vol.3

Asher Roth (2021)

Sony C-800G as heard on Fallin’ (Adrenaline) by Why Don’t We (2020)

Fallin’ (Adrenaline)

Why Don’t We (2020)

Sony C-800G as heard on Good News by Megan Thee Stallion (2020)

Good News

Megan Thee Stallion (2020)

Sony C-800G as heard on D-2 by Suga (Agust D) (2020)

D-2

Suga (Agust D) (2020)

Sony C-800G as heard on Lifetime by Twista (2020)

Lifetime

Twista (2020)

Sony C-800G as heard on Revenge Of The Dreamers III by Dreamville & J. Cole (2019)

Revenge Of The Dreamers III

Dreamville & J. Cole (2019)

Sony C-800G as heard on Play Wooden Child by Nodding God (2019)

Play Wooden Child

Nodding God (2019)

Sony C-800G as heard on Señorita by Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello (2019)

Señorita

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello (2019)

Sony C-800G as heard on You Stay (feat. Lil Baby & Jeremih) by J Balvin & DJ Khaled & Meek Mill (2019)

You Stay (feat. Lil Baby & Jeremih)

J Balvin & DJ Khaled & Meek Mill (2019)

Sony C-800G as heard on Jaws by Sleep Token (2018)

Jaws

Sleep Token (2018)

Sony C-800G as heard on Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho by HUNCHO JACK & Quavo & Travis Scott (2017)

Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho

HUNCHO JACK & Quavo & Travis Scott (2017)

Sony C-800G as heard on Bitch Better Have My Money (R3hab Remix) by Rihanna (2015)

Bitch Better Have My Money (R3hab Remix)

Rihanna (2015)

Sony C-800G as heard on Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots (2015)

Blurryface

Twenty One Pilots (2015)

Sony C-800G as heard on Rewind by Rascal Flatts (2014)

Rewind

Rascal Flatts (2014)

Sony C-800G as heard on Stoner by Young Thug (2014)

Stoner

Young Thug (2014)

Sony C-800G as heard on My Everything (Deluxe) by Ariana Grande (2014)

My Everything (Deluxe)

Ariana Grande (2014)

Sony C-800G as heard on PIL 2 by Ja Rule (2012)

PIL 2

Ja Rule (2012)

Sony C-800G as heard on Headlines by Drake (2011)

Headlines

Drake (2011)

Sony C-800G as heard on Recovery by Eminem (2010)

Recovery

Eminem (2010)

Sony C-800G as heard on Memento Mori by Flyleaf (2009)

Memento Mori

Flyleaf (2009)

Sony C-800G as heard on Circus (Deluxe Version) by Britney Spears (2008)

Circus (Deluxe Version)

Britney Spears (2008)

Sony C-800G as heard on On An Island by David Gilmour (2006)

On An Island

David Gilmour (2006)

Sony C-800G as heard on Get Rich Or Die Tryin' by 50 Cent (2003)

Get Rich Or Die Tryin'

50 Cent (2003)

Sony C-800G as heard on Irresistible by Jessica Simpson (2001)

Irresistible

Jessica Simpson (2001)

Sony C-800G as heard on Brand New Day by Sting & Sting (1999)

Brand New Day

Sting & Sting (1999)

Sony C-800G as heard on This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours by Manic Street Preachers (1998)

This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours

Manic Street Preachers (1998)

Sony C-800G as heard on All Eyez On Me by 2Pac & Makaveli (1996)

All Eyez On Me

2Pac & Makaveli (1996)

Sony C-800G as heard on All This Time by Sting & Sting (1991)

All This Time

Sting & Sting (1991)

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-800G, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Avalon VT-737SP
Avalon VT-737SP Preamps & Channel Strips
6
AMS Neve 1073
AMS Neve 1073 Preamps & Channel Strips
5
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools DAW Software
4
Neumann U67
Neumann U67 Condenser Microphones
3
TUBE-TECH CL-1B
TUBE-TECH CL-1B Effects Processors
3
AMS Neve 1084
AMS Neve 1084 Effects Processors
2
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Condenser Microphones
2

2 alternative and related items for Sony C-800G, curated by the Equipboard community.

Warm Audio WA-8000

$898.00 - $1,299.00

cheaper alternative

A more affordable recreation.

The WA-8000 is a nod to a very special large diaphragm tube condenser microphone that made its way onto countless platinum recordings starting in the early 90s and continuing today. The sound of this mic has delivered hits for artists ranging from Dr. Dre, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight to Eminem, Rihanna, Drake and more. The original stood out, boasting a natural and open top end, supremely clear midrange, and the ability to render detail in a vocal performance unlike most other mics on the planet. The WA-8000 rises to the occasion and delivers all that top end, beat by beat, at a price that will leave you hypnotized.

More Sony Condenser Microphones

SONY C-38B

$1,100.00 - $2,856.99

 
Vance Powell Toni Torres Roy Huskey, Jr.
3 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

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