Milab DC-96B

The origin of Milab Microphones can be traced to 1941 in Stockholm, Sweden, when Rune Rosander founded Pearl Mikrofonlaboratorium (PML). In 1958, Rosander developed the 2700 rectangular capsule, which was incorporated into the original Pearl DC-96 microphone introduced in 1967. Later, in 1978, Rosander’s son Hans established Milab (Microphone Laboratories), continuing the use of rectangular capsule designs alongside PML.

In 1983, Milab updated the DC-96 to the DC-96B, retaining the 2700 rectangular capsule. In 2006, the DC-196 was introduced as a multi-pattern version of the DC-96B, featuring the new 2900 rectangular capsule design. This capsule was also used in the transformerless DC-96C, released in 2012, which offered improved sensitivity and lower self-noise compared with earlier models.

Milab acquired PML in 2017, consolidating both companies under one organisation. Sadly, Milab Microphones filed for bankruptcy in August 2025, ending its 84-year history in microphone manufacturing.

Manufacturer Specification:

• Frequency response (see graph): 20 - 20 000 Hz
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Max. SPL ( 1 % THD at 1 kHz): 120 dB
• Sensitivity at 1kHz: 6 mV / Pa ± 1 dB
• A-weighted noise level ( IEC 179-A): 19 dB
• Power supply: 48 V ± 4 V phantom
• Current consumption: 0,6 mA
• Output impedance: < 200 Ω
• Minimum load impedance: 1 kΩ
• Connection: 3-pin XLR (pin 1: ground, pin 2: +, pin 3 -)

Everything you ever wanted to know about Swedish Microphones at Preservation Sound

Archived DC96 documents from the old Milab website are here.