# SR117

> hand-held supercardioid live vocal condenser microphone

**Wikidata**: [Q136226674](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136226674)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sr117

## Summary
The SR117 is a hand-held supercardioid condenser microphone manufactured by Earthworks Audio, designed specifically for live vocal performance. Introduced in November 2023, it has received industry recognition for its technical achievements and is noted for its use by high-profile artists such as Van Morrison.

## Key Facts
*   **Product Type:** Hand-held live vocal condenser microphone.
*   **Polar Pattern:** Supercardioid.
*   **Manufacturer:** Earthworks Audio.
*   **Inception Date:** November 20, 2023.
*   **Award Received:** TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement (Recording Devices).
*   **Classification:** Acoustic-to-electric transducer (Microphone).
*   **Notable User:** Van Morrison (cited as a userendorsement in 2024).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Earthworks SR117 used for?
A: The SR117 is designed for live vocal performance. As a supercardioid condenser microphone, it is built to capture vocal detail on stage while rejecting sound from other directions.

### Q: When was the SR117 released?
A: The SR117 was inceptioned on November 20, 2023.

### Q: Has the SR117 won any awards?
A: Yes, the SR117 won the TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement in the category of Recording Devices (references also cite Sound Reinforcement).

## Why It Matters
The SR117 represents a significant development in live sound technology by bridging the gap between the durability required for stage use and the sonic fidelity typically reserved for studio condenser microphones. While dynamic microphones have historically dominated the live vocal market due to their ruggedness and feedback rejection, the SR117 utilizes a supercardioid condenser capsule to offer a higher degree of detail and transient response.

Its relevance is underscored by its rapid adoption by professional touring artists, most notably Van Morrison, which serves as a strong validation of its performance in high-stakes live environments. Furthermore, its recognition with a TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement highlights its impact on audio engineering standards. By providing a solution that resists feedback while delivering studio-quality sound in a hand-held format, the SR117 addresses a long-standing challenge for audio engineers and performing musicians.

## Notable For
*   **Studio Quality Live Sound:** Combines the sensitivity of a condenser capsule with the form factor of a stage mic.
*   **Rapid Industry Recognition:** Won a TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement shortly after its release.
*   **High-Profile Endorsement:** Specifically cited as the preferred microphone of artist Van Morrison.
*   **Supercardioid Rejection:** Offers tighter polar pattern control than standard cardioid microphones, reducing bleed from other instruments on stage.

## Body
### Design and Classification
The SR117 is classified as a **hand-held supercardioid live vocal condenser microphone**. Unlike standard dynamic microphones commonly found in live settings, the SR117 utilizes a condenser transducer to convert sound into an electrical signal. This design choice typically allows for greater sensitivity and a wider frequency response. The supercardioid polar pattern is engineered to focus on the sound source directly in front of the microphone while attenuating sound from the sides and rear, a critical feature for minimizing feedback and stage bleed in live sound reinforcement scenarios.

### Release and Manufacturer
The microphone is manufactured by **Earthworks Audio**, a company known for high-resolution audio equipment. The SR117 was officially inceptioned on **November 20, 2023**.

### Critical Reception and Awards
Shortly after its launch, the SR117 achieved significant industry recognition. It was the recipient of the **TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement**. While the award category is listed as "Recording Devices," the device is explicitly marketed and described as a "live vocal" microphone, indicating its versatility or high fidelity suitable for recording applications as well.

### Notable Usage
The SR117 has garnered attention in the professional music community. As reported by *Forbes* in 2024, the microphone is notably used and endorsed by legendary artist **Van Morrison**, reinforcing its status as a top-tier tool for professional vocalists.

## References

1. [THE EARTHWORKS SR117 WINS THE TEC AWARD FOR SOUND REINFORCEMENT](https://tfwm.com/the-earthworks-sr117-wins-the-tec-award-for-sound-reinforcement/)
2. [Earthworks Audio’s SR117 Is The Mic That Van Morrison Loves](https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2024/08/31/earthworks-audios-sr117-is-the-mic-that-van-morrison-loves/)
3. [Earthworks Audio: SR117 Supercardioid Condenser Mic](https://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/158/sr117-supercardioid-condenser-mic)