This is a microphone to be reckoned with.

Most microphone manufacturers will tout their products on a [subjective] level with colorful adjectives such as [airy], [intimate], [smooth], and [warm]; Earthworks' microphones are built for transparency. The QTC1's frequency response is ridiculously [flat frequency response|flat]. According to the [data sheet], typical accuracy from [hearing|20hz to 20khz] is around ±0.5 [decibel|dB]. A quick glance at the frequency response graph will show that in fact, a similarly flat response can be had from this microphone from 4 [hertz|hz] to 40 [kilohertz|khz], although both extremes of this value are well outside nearly every human's hearing range¹. Earthworks currently sells these microphones for $2300 [USD] in a matched pair, or $1100 USD for a single [mic]. Similarly priced and even vastly more expensive microphones rarely come close to these levels of [transparency] and range of response.

QTC in the model number is an abbreviation for "quiet time [coherent]," referring to the extremely small amount of self noise the mic produces and the rapid speed at which the [diaphragm] is able to react to [waveform|waveforms]. The small size of the [condenser microphone|condensor] [capsule] is probably responsible in part for the microphones excellent [transient response|transient handling capabilites]. The capsule is situated in the small, narrow end of the microphone, which upon first inspection mounted in the provided mic clip appears strangely reminiscent of a 1950s sci-fi [ray gun|raygun].

To sum up my personal experience with this particular microphone, I would have to say Earthworks' claims of transparency are true to the [umpteenth] degree. A [stereo pair] of QTC1s sound gorgeous in a piano, reproducing every [nuance] of the [innards] with incredible precision. The same is true with vocals, however, the result of a flat frequency response on anyone's voice is [truth is stranger than fiction|not altogether flattering]. My reaction upon hearing my voice reproduced through the QTC1 in [foldback] was something to the effect of: "I really sound like that?" [Infallible] accuracy on a musical instrument is one thing, but most people's voices could use a little [coloration]. While this is a mic that strives for perfection, I doubt it will be putting the rest of the microphone industry out of business any time soon. Accuracy can be a bad thing.

Technical Specifications

Frequency response on axis: 4 Hz to 40 kHz ± 1 dB
             [Polar Pattern]: Omnidirectional
               [Sensitivity]: 30 mV/Pa (-30.5 dBV/Pa)
        Power requirements: 48 V [phantom power|Phantom], 10 mA
    Maximum acoustic input: 142 dB SPL with 5 kΩ load
       Peak [output voltage]: 3 V into 1 kΩ, 10 V into 5 kΩ
                    Output: [XLR] intended to drive a balanced input
       Minimum output load: 600 Ω between pins 2 and 3
                     [Noise]: 22 dB [SPL] (A weighted); 24.5 dB SPL (Unweighted)
        Dimensions (L x D): 229 mm x 22 mm (9 x .860 inches)
                    Weight: 225 g (.5 lb)

¹ If I were engineering a record for dogs, this would certainly be the mic of choice.

Earthworks QTC1 (thing)