Shoot Tools — SE Electronics

SE Electronics, a fairly new microphone manufacturer,introduces its new aggressively priced Z Series of condensermics. Though they're designed primarily for studio and stage recording,the company directs audio pros doing broadcast work toward the flagshipZ 5600, which employs a replaceable vacuum tube with a nine-point polarpattern selector switch on its custom power supply. Extended frequencyresponse is 20Hz to 20kHz. The company touts the 1.07in. gold-sputtereddiaphragms for lending a fat bottom-end response and high sensitivityto the Z Series, which also includes the Z 3300, Z 2200, and Z 1100.TBK Mics distributes SE Electronics microphones in the U.S.

Price: $249 to $699
Cupertino, Calif.; (408) 873-8606; www.seemics.com