BOVA BALL

condenser microphone

$1,679.00 + tax

Have questions?

Talk to us!

Prices do not include applicable taxes, shipping or duties.

$1,679.00 + tax

What's in the Box

Description

Spherically Mounted Condenser Microphone

a spherically-mounted high-intensity small diaphragm electret condenser capsule
all discrete class A transformer-less electronics
active balanced outputs
robust vintage-style solid brass hardware for versatile and stable positioning
precision Manfrotto ball and socket mechanism for versatile positioning
phantom powered electronics
hand-selected, precision-matched components
hand-wired and assembled
pickup pattern omni at low frequencies gradually transitioning to directional with increasing frequency – ie: very graceful change from on-axis to off-axis pickup

This electret condenser microphone is the first in a series of hand-crafted studio recording mics fondly known as the bova balls.

The SE-BB1 will appeal to those who require a stunningly open-sounding microphone ~ effective as a drum overhead, hi-hat or percussion mic, or on anything requiring extreme transient detail at high SPL.

Specifications

dimensions:	4" diameter
weight:	2.0lbs
maximum sound pressure:	>140 decibels
output connector:	3 pin XLR
output impedance:	100 ohms balanced
power requirements:	48V phantom

Miscellaneous

robust vintage-style solid brass hardware
precision Manfrotto ball and socket mechanism for versatile positioning
a stunningly open-sounding microphone ~ effective as a drum overhead, hi-hat or percussion mic, or on anything requiring extreme transient detail at high SPL
designed and manufactured (by hand) in Canada
all modules subject to burn-in period - for maximum reliability
one year warranty

Download Manual

Audio Samples

Ultimately, all that matters is the sound
… a listen’s worth a thousand words.

Here are some samples of various instruments recorded exclusively with SE-BB1 bova ball condenser mic(s) through SE-Pre mic pres. All of these samples were recorded digitally, completely flat and dry with absolutely no eq, compression, or effects processors of any kind. You can download these samples and import them into your digital workstation. This will allow you to hear them as we intended. Listen, and enjoy!

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

Incredible on many sources

My favorite omni microphone. A spherical omni mic like if your head was mono… Totally amazing for anything where an omni is ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

HUGE

The Bova ball is one of the most amazing omni mics I have ever used… period. Spherical omni condenser with discrete FET ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

They 'listen like a fan'

The Ball is amazing. Period. LOVE it. Everyone was freaking out about it. Used the ball with a Manley VTL tube reference ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

Grammy Nominated

Phil! I am at the Grammys!! I just got this email sitting at the Grammys. I will email you soon! I used ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

The Bova Balls shine

I am at Rick Rubins studio in Malibu. It’s called shangri la and was made great by the band and bob Dylan.I ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

Incredible on many sources

My favorite omni microphone. A spherical omni mic like if your head was mono… Totally amazing for anything where an omni is ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

HUGE

The Bova ball is one of the most amazing omni mics I have ever used… period. Spherical omni condenser with discrete FET ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

They 'listen like a fan'

The Ball is amazing. Period. LOVE it. Everyone was freaking out about it. Used the ball with a Manley VTL tube reference ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

Grammy Nominated

Phil! I am at the Grammys!! I just got this email sitting at the Grammys. I will email you soon! I used ...

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

The Bova Balls shine

I am at Rick Rubins studio in Malibu. It’s called shangri la and was made great by the band and bob Dylan.I ...

Incredible microphones

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn

Hi Janet and Phil, I hope someone gets that Bova from you. they are incredible microphones! like your head, only mono…. and...

Voraciously detailed

@beautypill

At first I didn’t like the Bova Ball because I was misusing it. You have to give it some air. Voraciously detailed.

Final details

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

Committing some final details on Josh’s jazz record. Sounds great!! ES125 captured via Phillip Victor Bova mic / Hamptone Tube pre, stellar...

From funk to rock to classical

Tony Maimone

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

This sounds exciting. So glad that the Sage saga continues. Last night I walked into our A room where Joel is recording...

They sound incredible

Tony Maimone

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

my 2 bova balls sound incredible in the new live room!!!!

I want another one

John French

Pony Records

hi janet, the bova ball arrived safely and is great. thanks for the phone call too. i’ll want to get a second...

The best room mics I have ever used

Patrick Donicht

The Audio Vortex

Received the Balls right on schedule and in perfect working order. Quite a stunning microphone I must say. I had lots of...

Have a magic attached to them

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

I just tried out my new Bova Balls on acoustic guitar and must say I’m very impressed. They are “kinda” Omni and...

Thank you for the beautiful microphone

Mark Rubel

The Blackbird Academy & Pogo Studio

it’s wonderful that Mr. Bova called here to check on the microphone. Everyone has been marveling over it, and I’ve found it...

The omni pattern worked great

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Recently I bought a couple of the Sage Mic Pre’s and two of their Bova Ball Microphones. I wasn’t sure what to...

I want a second one

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

Well, it is obvious to me that one Bova Ball mic is simply not enough. I want a second one. Lets do...

The detail is amazing!

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

I saw a nice big picture of the Bova in EQ magazine the other day, very good! I mounted mine on a...

Truly great people

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

Oh my god, you guys are so amazing. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know how to thank you enough, I love these mics...

Tons of personality

Matt LeMay

New York, New York

I’m in a band called Get Him Eat Him (http://www.gethimeathim.com); we’ve done two full-length albums and a handful of self-released and home-recorded...

Instant vibey-ness

Steve Sopchak

The Square Studio, LLC

I just had the chance to mess around with the pair for a little while. I am definitely thrilled with them. I...

Nothing less than stellar

Colin Cripps

Musician and Record Producer

I use the Bova extensively on acoustic guitars I record these days and the results are nothing less than stellar!Colin Crippsmusician and...

Great as overheads

Keith Bird

Park Lane Recording Studio - Glasgow, Scotland

Janet, just thought i should send you a quick line about the Bova Balls now that I have had a bit of...

Excels across genres

Steve Sopchak

The Square Studio, LLC

This is Steve Sopchak, a Bova Ball user from NY. I think it has been about two years since I purchased my...

Phase coherence is superb

Scotland

I recently got a pair of Bova Balls from Sage. I haven’t needed to use anything else for OH’s since. Phase coherence...

A good listener

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

And here is the Bova Head Lady herself, new and improved over the old tape box, as she stared pensively down upon...

They are amazing

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Yes, I have three of the NT-4’s, and love them for stereo usage. You have also hit upon my other favourite “unknown”...

Experimentally modified

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

… The congas were mic’d in two ways. For my initial tracking experiment, I had put a Sennheiser MD-402U, a hyper-cardioid microphone...

The imaging is incredible

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

So tonite i tried my omni Bova Balls as overheads. There was a spot right over the front of the kit that...

A cute little thing

Michael O'Connor

County Wicklow, Ireland

Hello again and congratulations on your new arrival- he’s a cute little thing.I finally had a chance to try out the Bova...

These freakin' rock!

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

I just got a duo of Bova Ball mics and i am completely hooked. They freaking rock. Kevin ‘Fibes’ Rose Elevated Basement...

My new favorite mic

Theo Aronson

Brooklyn, NY

I finally got a chance to track some stuff with my new sage gear and it was truly music to my ears,...

Damn those are some magic balls

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

I did a cello session last night and was amazed at the combination of SM-2 up high and a set of Bova-Balls...

The only mic NOT making any wind noise was the Bova Ball

Patrick Donicht

The Audio Vortex

I want to take the opportunity to say hello and let you know how much I love the Bova Balls. They have...

An excellent “airy” sound in conjunction with the 47

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Recently I bought a couple of the Sage Mic Pre’s and two of their Bova Ball Microphones. I wasn’t sure what to...

You will want more

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Be careful where you put Bova Balls. You will want more of them.

Terrific frequency detail

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

This is truly a unique mic, it is gently omni directional, is phantom powered, captures transients clearly and has terrific frequency detail....

It's like your head only mono

Scodiddly

Hey Joel, how’s the Bova Ball worked for you so far? Building a sphere mic is on my (now incredibly overstuffed) to-do...

Incredible microphones

Joel Hamilton

Studio G, Brooklyn

Hi Janet and Phil, I hope someone gets that Bova from you. they are incredible microphones! like your head, only mono…. and...

Voraciously detailed

@beautypill

At first I didn’t like the Bova Ball because I was misusing it. You have to give it some air. Voraciously detailed.

Final details

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

Committing some final details on Josh’s jazz record. Sounds great!! ES125 captured via Phillip Victor Bova mic / Hamptone Tube pre, stellar...

From funk to rock to classical

Tony Maimone

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

This sounds exciting. So glad that the Sage saga continues. Last night I walked into our A room where Joel is recording...

They sound incredible

Tony Maimone

Studio G, Brooklyn, NY

my 2 bova balls sound incredible in the new live room!!!!

I want another one

John French

Pony Records

hi janet, the bova ball arrived safely and is great. thanks for the phone call too. i’ll want to get a second...

The best room mics I have ever used

Patrick Donicht

The Audio Vortex

Received the Balls right on schedule and in perfect working order. Quite a stunning microphone I must say. I had lots of...

Have a magic attached to them

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

I just tried out my new Bova Balls on acoustic guitar and must say I’m very impressed. They are “kinda” Omni and...

Thank you for the beautiful microphone

Mark Rubel

The Blackbird Academy & Pogo Studio

it’s wonderful that Mr. Bova called here to check on the microphone. Everyone has been marveling over it, and I’ve found it...

The omni pattern worked great

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Recently I bought a couple of the Sage Mic Pre’s and two of their Bova Ball Microphones. I wasn’t sure what to...

I want a second one

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

Well, it is obvious to me that one Bova Ball mic is simply not enough. I want a second one. Lets do...

The detail is amazing!

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

I saw a nice big picture of the Bova in EQ magazine the other day, very good! I mounted mine on a...

Truly great people

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

Oh my god, you guys are so amazing. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know how to thank you enough, I love these mics...

Tons of personality

Matt LeMay

New York, New York

I’m in a band called Get Him Eat Him (http://www.gethimeathim.com); we’ve done two full-length albums and a handful of self-released and home-recorded...

Instant vibey-ness

Steve Sopchak

The Square Studio, LLC

I just had the chance to mess around with the pair for a little while. I am definitely thrilled with them. I...

Nothing less than stellar

Colin Cripps

Musician and Record Producer

I use the Bova extensively on acoustic guitars I record these days and the results are nothing less than stellar!Colin Crippsmusician and...

Great as overheads

Keith Bird

Park Lane Recording Studio - Glasgow, Scotland

Janet, just thought i should send you a quick line about the Bova Balls now that I have had a bit of...

Excels across genres

Steve Sopchak

The Square Studio, LLC

This is Steve Sopchak, a Bova Ball user from NY. I think it has been about two years since I purchased my...

Phase coherence is superb

Scotland

I recently got a pair of Bova Balls from Sage. I haven’t needed to use anything else for OH’s since. Phase coherence...

A good listener

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

And here is the Bova Head Lady herself, new and improved over the old tape box, as she stared pensively down upon...

They are amazing

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Yes, I have three of the NT-4’s, and love them for stereo usage. You have also hit upon my other favourite “unknown”...

Experimentally modified

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

… The congas were mic’d in two ways. For my initial tracking experiment, I had put a Sennheiser MD-402U, a hyper-cardioid microphone...

The imaging is incredible

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

So tonite i tried my omni Bova Balls as overheads. There was a spot right over the front of the kit that...

A cute little thing

Michael O'Connor

County Wicklow, Ireland

Hello again and congratulations on your new arrival- he’s a cute little thing.I finally had a chance to try out the Bova...

These freakin' rock!

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

I just got a duo of Bova Ball mics and i am completely hooked. They freaking rock. Kevin ‘Fibes’ Rose Elevated Basement...

My new favorite mic

Theo Aronson

Brooklyn, NY

I finally got a chance to track some stuff with my new sage gear and it was truly music to my ears,...

Damn those are some magic balls

Kevin 'Fibes' Rose

Elevated Basement Studio

I did a cello session last night and was amazed at the combination of SM-2 up high and a set of Bova-Balls...

The only mic NOT making any wind noise was the Bova Ball

Patrick Donicht

The Audio Vortex

I want to take the opportunity to say hello and let you know how much I love the Bova Balls. They have...

An excellent “airy” sound in conjunction with the 47

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Recently I bought a couple of the Sage Mic Pre’s and two of their Bova Ball Microphones. I wasn’t sure what to...

You will want more

Terry Manning

Compass Point Studios, then Nassau, Bahamas

Be careful where you put Bova Balls. You will want more of them.

Terrific frequency detail

Andy Snavley

Bendy Music

This is truly a unique mic, it is gently omni directional, is phantom powered, captures transients clearly and has terrific frequency detail....

It's like your head only mono

Scodiddly

Hey Joel, how’s the Bova Ball worked for you so far? Building a sphere mic is on my (now incredibly overstuffed) to-do...

BOVA BALL

Have questions?

Talk to us!

Prices do not include applicable taxes, shipping or duties.

What's in the Box

Description

Spherically Mounted Condenser Microphone

Specifications

Miscellaneous

Audio Samples

Incredible on many sources

HUGE

They 'listen like a fan'

Grammy Nominated

The Bova Balls shine

Incredible on many sources

HUGE

They 'listen like a fan'

Grammy Nominated

The Bova Balls shine

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