Come this April, you might be tweeting about the new microphone from Kel Audio, aptly called the Song Sparrow ($349 MSRP). Tailored for modern vocal recording, this studio-grade cardioid condenser microphone is especially well-suited for recording female vocals and pop music.

To keep the mic affordable, the Song Sparrow boasts premium electronics housed in a very simple design. The microphone has a one-inch side-terminated cardioid capsule, an open airy top-end response, and circuitry that delivers high headroom and good transient response.

Kel Audio notes that with the Song Sparrow, tracks sit at the front of the mix with clarity and detail, vowels have a silky airy quality, and consonants are articulate and clean without any harsh gritty sounds. In addition to vocals, the Song Sparrow is also ideal for recording "jangly" rhythm guitar tracks, piano, drum overheads, saxophones, vocal groups, and most stringed instruments.

The Song Sparrow has a matte black finish and comes with a compact aluminum flight case and elastic shockmount. Kel Audio expects to ship the microphone in early April, 2010.