The CM-54 is a true pencil condenser with two 20mm interchangeable capsules, omnidirectional and cardioid. It also is compatible with the Peluso capsules from the CEMC-6 pencil condenser.The case and capsule design is based on the Neumann KM-54 (which was a tube mic). The mic features a clean class “A” FET amplifier circuit coupled to a discrete transformerless Schoeps-like output circuit. The result is a rugged design which is extremely transparent and has very low self-noise.The CM-54 has a -10db/-20db pad switch plus a 75hz/150hz low frequency roll-off switch located at the microphone.The preamp body of the CM-54 is identical to the body of the Peluso CEMC-6, and is compatible with John Peluso’s house-made capsules for that microphone (cardioid, wide cardioid, hypercardioid, omni). To my ear, it sounds as if Dave attempted to emulate the "warmth" of the tube amplified KM-54 by voicing the CM-54 to be more mid-forward. This equates to "bigger" sounds as opposed to the more "scooped" sounds of other budget condensers. These mics are no longer in production, so they're a bit of a rarity. However, they're still able to be serviced at AA. This set includes a pair of both cardioid and omnidirectional capsules, and one hypercardioid capsule. If you're a condenser-on-snare kind of person, this capsule really shines with its larger rejection pattern. Both mics ship with shockmounts and wooden storage boxes.