Summary of "NAB 2026: Sanken [LIVE REUPLOAD]"

Tech/product highlights from Sanken (NAB 2026 coverage)

CU-M2 (2-in cardioid mic) New very small condenser unidirectional cardioid (not a shotgun).
- Designed to share characteristics with the popular CU-M1
- Uses a gradient tube and delivers a “true cardioid” pattern (not hypercardioid)
- Emphasizes Sanken’s approach to perfect/consistent polar pattern accuracy and very low proximity effect
  - Trade-off described: you can chase level, but not tone
Matching short shotgun pairing CU-M2 conceptually pairs with shorter “CS/CU” shotgun-style options.
- CSM-1 was identified as the shotgun version (with CS vs CU clarified in the discussion)
CS/shotgun lineup comparisons Referenced models: CS-2R / CS-3E / CS-3E (standard) and CSR-2 (longer tube).
- Explanation: gradient tube length affects the rear lobe—a longer tube reach tends to increase rear lobe pickup
- CSR-2 reportedly uses extra capsules to help cancel the rear lobe
- Usage distinction:
  - CSR-2: for reach and when you want to reduce unwanted crowd/ambient pickup (e.g., sports)
  - Shorter options: pick out a sound from ambient noise (example: trade shows)

Side-firing studio microphone (brand new)
- Uses a “rectangular capsule” concept similar to the idea behind COS-11 / COS-11-style capsules
- Intended for acoustic instruments such as guitar, piano, saxophone, with potential experimentation for violin
- Mentioned specs: 20 Hz–20 kHz and side-firing cardioid
- Labeled as just shipping (brand new; previously unseen at the booth)

References 100 kHz Sanken products, including: CU-100K and CUX-100K (switchable cardioid)
Claimed workflow value for sound designers:
- Record at 192 kHz
- Play back/downsample at 9.48 kHz for pitch/time manipulation
- Story examples included cinematic work and natural environment recording for documentaries

Timbre matching across CS vs CU options attributed to:
- Sanken’s own capsule design/materials
- Capsule geometry described as square capsules (not “round/rectangular” in the usual sense—described as square)
  - Related to how Sanken builds stereos, MS, and cancellation behavior
- Also referenced: new rectangular capsule / lavalier tech appearing in newer products

For indoor shoots on the end of a boom pole, guidance was to use the M1-family type because:

Very low self-noise
Small size allows placement into crevices without needing to get the mic right off a wall (“don’t have to get the sound off a wall”)
Practicality figures: ~4 inches long and ~2 oz
Example use cases: podium mic, plant mic, etc.
Framed as useful both indoor and outdoor, but especially dependent on space and placement strategy

Update provided for a new lav after a prior mention ~2 years earlier:
- Product name: COS-7D (stated as an evolution from the COS-11D / COS-11 context)
- Intended as a complement, not a replacement, to the existing COS-11 line
Three key differences vs prior COS-11 style:
1. Slightly shorter
2. Thinner wire (“two-wire,” likely indicating internal construction/format change)
3. Different high-frequency response
  - Instead of flat response with a 5–6 kHz peak (like COS-11)
  - It uses a more graduated high-frequency shelf
Compatibility / accessory ecosystem
- Same capsule material quality and rectangular capsule
- Same accessory ecosystem: same barrel size and clips/accessories should still work
Timing: expected again July–August
Expected pricing: likely close to COS-11 (possibly the same), with a note about maintaining pricing stability

Discussion of recent supply-chain/tariff disruption:
- 25% surcharges
- Product classification issues (described as “car parts”)
- A burdensome process requiring detailed aluminum/steel content questionnaires within 48 hours
Refund uncertainty
- They were informed a refund may be possible
- Details and logistics (including how shipping/FedEx fuel surcharges affect outcomes) were described as unclear

The most common attendee questions were about microphones for:
- Corporate/live events needing broadcast-quality streaming (“broadcast Zoom,” full productions)
- Typical setup described:
  - High-res video
  - Multiple cameras
  - Need for shotguns + lavs that integrate reliably with production workflows
Hope expressed that traditional production will “take the leap forward” similarly to broadcast/intranet use cases

Jim Pace (Sanken) — primary interview/source
Gotham Sounds / NAB 2026 coverage host(s) — interviewer/reporter (spoken intro/closing references)
Dave Schwartz (New York-based sound mixer) — referenced as using a cart and interested in the COS-70 (mentioned near the end)