TUBE CONDENSER MICS
AKG’s C12 is one of the best-known tube condenser microphones in history. It is a side-address, large-diaphragm design based on AKG’s CK12 capsule, a 6072 dual-triode glass tube, and a transformer-coupled output circuit. The C12 is the evolutionary source of several other significant mics, such as AKG’s 414 series and Telefunken’s Ela M 250/251. One of our absolute favorites!
This amazing mic comprises two completely separate C12 diaphragms. XY, MS, and stereo techniques or, use each capsule in mono and select from one different directional choices (cardioid, omni, figure eight, and all points in-between).
The original AKG C12 is one of the first famous tube microphones in the history of recording. This collector's item is still very much sought after and engineers all over the world love it for its fantastic, unique sound. Now, AKG's C12 VR offers a remarkable renaissance of the original, with new self noise and distortion specs optimized to meet the current state of the art.
The C12A was released in 1962, just ahead of the C12's demise. It was the first step away from the large cylindrical body of the C12, into the trapezoidal shape that is still iconic of AKG 414 series microphones to this day. An amazing microphone!
A predecessor to the C12VR. Large diaphragm tube mic.
The ADK Area 51 TT Multi-Pattern Remotely-Variable Valve (Tube) Microphone with Factory Stock Military Grade 6072A Vacuum Tube (Valve) is ideal for Male and Female Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Reed Instruments (Sax), Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Contrabass), Drum Overheads, or anywhere you would use a Vintage Tube Microphone.
The ADK Area 51 TT Multi-Pattern Remotely-Variable Valve (Tube) Microphone with Factory Stock Military Grade 6072A Vacuum Tube (Valve) is ideal for Male and Female Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Reed Instruments (Sax), Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Contrabass), Drum Overheads, or anywhere you would use a Vintage Tube Microphone.
The Popular Vienna Edition has a more fine-tuned response-curve designed to replicate a vintage late 1960’s Austrian tube mic. The Vienna offers a sparkling, iridescent tonality.
Audio-Technica’s AT4060 cardioid vacuum tube condenser brings the warmth of vintage tube sound to every shade of the SPL spectrum. It easily captures the subtlest nuances of vocal and instrumental performance and can handle guitar cabinets and other extreme SPL environments. Featuring hand-selected, individually tested and aged tubes.
The development of the AKG C12A condenser microphone has been based on the experience and requirements of leading recording studios: Twin diaphragm Exceptionally low distortion due to nuvistor low frequency circuit in the preamplifier Nine variable patterns may be remotely selected + 2.5 db deviation from frequency response curve This microphone has been evaluated under studio conditions for years. It embodies the highest professional standards and has been acknowledged as a significant advance
Audio professionals in every style of music rave about the Cactus, and the second you hear this sweet mic in action, so will you! The Cactus delivers detailed, inviting, totally professional sound reproduction in the tradition of the world's most-loved vintage microphones. This multi-pattern, large-diaphragm microphone sounds fantastic in a wide range of recording applications.
The VM1 was the fulfillment of Dirk Brauner's dream to build the perfect sounding tube microphone. A microphone that captures the spirit of the classic vintage tube microphones and at the same time, meets the high technical standards of today?s modern microphones. The VM1 was awarded the SSAIR Award in 1998, marking the beginning of a tradition of excellence in design philosophy, engineering and precision.
The VM1 has a completely natural, modern sound with the highest resolution of sonic detail. Its transparent open character is predestined for vocal and instrumental recordings and is the first choice microphone of top artists and sound engineers all over the world.
Documentation on this rare mic is extremely sparse and hard to find. What isn't hard to know is how great it sounds.
The KAT RED is a fixed-pattern, cardioid tube condenser, each using an NOS Philips 6111 dual triode. The body and long swing arms that hold the mic is brass, and covered in a brushed-nickel finish. The feel is solid, and the bodies are considerably smaller than you'd expect from a 1-inch diaphragm, making it easy to swing and place the mic in tight spots. The RED is a free-floating, side-terminated, custom-tuned capsule with an AKG C 12 backplate. Awesome mic!
Part of the Korby Audio Kat 4 system that features hot swappable capsules (U47, 251, C12, and U67) Beautiful mic with different tastes!!! Power supply, all cables, shock mount and case included.
This nimble CK12-style American-made capsule, open grille, and continually adjustable pickup pattern design allow it to hear deep into a room, capturing all the nuances. The capsule rings and back-plates are milled from solid brass. The gold diaphragm film comes from Germany and is tensioned using proprietary techniques by David Josephson ensuring capsule-to-capsule constancy, combined with the speed, "air", and superb ultra-high frequency response you have only dreamt about.
The Reference Cardioid Microphone shares the same electronic attributes as the Gold Reference Series, but has a center-fixed cardioid-only capsule with a thicker gauge (6 micron) gold sputtered diaphragm. With the similar film thickness and construction, similar high frequency resonance (a little edge), similar proximity effect and pretty good immunity from pops and sibilance problems, our Reference Cardioid more closely recalls how many of the vintage European tube mics such as the beloved U47.
The ORIGINAL "Bottle Mic", the CMV-563 mic was conceived as a tube preamplifier that could be used with any of a variety of interchangeable capsule heads: the M 55 (omni), M 7 (cardioid), M 8 (figure eight) and M 9 (omni) as well as M7S, M8S and M9S with short handles. The M7, M8, and M9 attached via a long “bayonet” mount. The “S” versions screwed directly onto the mic body.
This amazing tube condenser microphone CMV5/B is a postwar successor of famous "big bottle" microphones CMV3. The microphone use condenser microphone capsules M7, M8, M9 with a bayonet mounting.
The CMV 3 debuted in 1928, and became the first mass-produced condenser mic for Neumann. It's the father of all the "bottle mics". The CMV designation referred to "Condensator Mikrofon Verstärker" (condenser microphone amplifier) and the number three probably indicates that two earlier prototype versions existed. Nicknamed the “Bottle mic,” the CMV3 had an omnidirectional M1 capsule with large, gold-sputtered colloidan (later switched to PVC) diaphragms and RE084 triode-based tube electronics.
This stellar mic from c.1930, features a fixed omnidirectional CM 5 capsule (the same one used in the other Neumann "bottle mics").
The M49 was a multipattern large-diaphragm tube microphone with an important new innovation: the mic’s pickup pattern could be adjusted remotely, by a dial on the power supply. Another new innovation was that the mic maintained nearly equal sensitivity and output level across patterns — unlike the U-47, for example, which was 5dB hotter in Cardioid than Omni. Neumann built various versions over the years. The M49 was built during 1949 and used the M7 capsule, which was also used in the U47.
The M 49b differs from the M 50 by the two equal cardioid condenser systems mounted back to back. By means of a patent-protected feature, this mic’s directional characteristic may be changed continuously by remote control from the non-directional to the cardioid to the bi-directional pattern, which permits an easy adaptation to various acoustical environments.
This omni-directional microphone is the rarest of Neumann's M series microphones since fewer than 1000 M50s were made. Constructed with a tightly stretched metal diaphragm mounted in a lucite ball. Its response rises slightly and it becomes increasingly more directional at higher frequencies when exposed to direct sound, but it remains flat in a diffused sound field.
CONDENSER MICS
Excellent articulation with switchable high pass filter. Cardioid.
Excellent articulation with switchable high pass filter. Cardioid.
(C.1968). One of the most prized small diaphragm in the AKG line. Fat, punchy, midrange, and smooth high end.
Multipurpose small-diagphram condenser mic popular for its versatility. Great for studio and live use.
The C480 is the pre-amp for ultralinear interchangeable capsules CK61-63, CK69. One of the quietest microphones ever built. Features a two-step high-pass filter and two gain stages of either -10dB or +6 dB.
Iconic and highly sought-after. Excellent all-purpose microphone that really shines on vocals and acoustic instruments, but works well on almost anything.
Extraordinarily accurate and versatile. One of the finest mics ever made by AKG. Built in multi-pattern selector and bass-rolloff switches.
AKG’s C12 is one of the best-known tube condenser microphones in history. It is a side-address, large-diaphragm design based on AKG’s CK12 capsule, a 6072 dual-triode glass tube, and a transformer-coupled output circuit. The C12 is the evolutionary source of several other significant mics, such as AKG’s 414 series and Telefunken’s Ela M 250/251. One of our absolute favorites!
The original AKG C12 is one of the first famous tube microphones in the history of recording. This collector's item is still very much sought after and engineers all over the world love it for its fantastic, unique sound. Now, AKG's C12 VR offers a remarkable renaissance of the original, with new self noise and distortion specs optimized to meet the current state of the art.
This amazing mic comprises two completely separate C12 diaphragms. XY, MS, and stereo techniques or, use each capsule in mono and select from one different directional choices (cardioid, omni, figure eight, and all points in-between).
A predecessor to the C12VR. Large diaphragm tube mic.
This side-address mic offers low-noise, symmetrical, transformerless circuitry that results in exceptional transient response and clean output signals. A studio classic and bluegrass favorite. Great for acoustic instruments and drum overheads.
the side-address AT4033/CL offers low-noise, symmetrical, transformerless circuitry that results in exceptional transient response and clean output signals. Selectable 80Hz high-pass filter (just like the regular 4033 model).
Its warm, delicate, sweet sound makes recordings spring to life. It's ideal for drum overheads, acoustic guitar, piano, horns and under snares. This premium electret condenser microphone is engineered to meet the most critical acoustic requirements of professional recording, broadcast and live sound. Cardioid.
Workhorse drum mic. Hypercardioid.
Another great workhorse drum mic from Audio Technica. Hypercardioid.
First introduced in the 1960's, the M88 has earned its place in history in the kick drum. Works equally well on other instruments especially where intricate low frequencies and their harmonics need to be captured.
Low-profile size and rugged construction allow you to place it just about anywhere. Works well for vocals, but it really shines when you need a low-maintenance, dependable mic to pick up all manner of instruments. Its voice coil rejects hum from CRT video monitors, allowing you to use this mic at close range to your desktop setup. Hypercardioid.
The High-SPL Recording Microphone 4007A is a phantom powered (P48) close miking specialist with an extremely linear on-axis response in an extended frequency range from 10 Hz to 40 kHz (±2 dB). This condenser omni mic has an unbeatable dynamic range of 124 dB from the noise floor to 1% THD and is capable of handling up to 160 dB SPL peak before clipping occurs, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. An awesome mic!
This highly sought after omni has forged its enviable reputation over the past quarter of a century by repeatedly exhibiting its total transparency in any recording situation, and by picking up incredible detail and depth of sound. The definition of its high-frequency characteristics across a wide range of instruments is undeniably impressive for the vast majority of miking applications. Ideal for A-B stereo pairs.
The PZM-30D pressure zone microphone from Crown is perfect for mounting overhead or on conference tables or desks. It features clean high frequencies and uniform polar response, and also has switchable dual frequency response - meaning that while in the "rising"position the PMZ-30D gives you brilliance on the high end, while in the "flat" position the sound is flat with a smooth, natural high frequency response.
A patented, stereo condenser microphone using PZM technology, it i mono-compatible with a near-coincident array designed for professional applications including: classical-music recording (acoustic ensembles), stereo electronic news gathering (E.N.G.), sports ambience and crowd reaction, recording worship services, televised theatre and dance, film ambience, stereo sampling for keyboards, stereo sound effects, recording studios, and live sound.
The TC30 is an omnidirectional microphone designed for recording louder sources such as drums, percussion, amplified instruments and loud sound effects. With a whopping SPL rating of 150dB the TC30 has plenty of headroom, so there is no need to worry about distortion, even with the loudest instruments. And there is no proximity effect, so you can get the TC30 as close as you want to the sound source.
Delivering sound so detailed and real, the QTC40 brings recordings to life and delivers a truly accurate snapshot of your sound. Its near-perfect omnidirectional polar pattern is uniform across all specified frequencies, letting the microphone capture rich and consistent detail at any position around the capsule. With an extended 4Hz – 40kHz ruler-flat frequency response (with no frequencies exaggerated or attenuated) the result is a more accurate representation of the original sound.
The Electro-Voice Cardinal is a pressure-gradient cardioid condenser microphone that's perfect for vocals or instruments, live or in the studio. The unique double swivel-mounted design allows ideal positioning while the Class-A, discrete ultralow-noise circuitry delivers immaculate reproduction regardless of the source. Requires phantom power.
Ideally suited to mic percussion, guitar amps, and horns for live performance and studio recording. Supercardioid.
The N/D868 can handle incredibly high sound pressure levels without distortion. With a frequency response specifically designed for the perfect kick drum sound, the N/D868 has been applauded by drummers and engineers the world over.
The e22S side-address cardioid was designed to meet the needs of noted recording engineer Steve Albini. The physical profile allows unobtrusive placement, even with tight percussion layouts. The e22S capsule geometry is optimized for spot miking performance. The circuit uses a cascode discrete FET front end, combined with a custom Lundahl output transformer. A highly versatile microphone.
The Miktek C5 pencil condenser provides discerning engineers with a 0.5-inch cardioid capsule and produces a super-linear, full-bodied response. The capsule employs a 5-micron tensioned Mylar diaphragm, on which a 0.4-micron layer of evaporated gold is applied.
The Miktek C7e, multi-pattern, large diaphragm FET condenser will impress the most critical listeners and inspire artists to create their best performance. The microphone’s pick-up characteristic is selectable; offering cardioid, omni and bidirectional patterns. In addition, the C7e employs a high-pass filter and –10dB pad for recording loud sound sources.
No microphone symbolizes Milab better than the DC-96B. It's a vintage design that has stayed virtually unchanged for almost 50 years, and it's still one of the best, if not the best, microphones for acoustic instruments ever built. The hand crafted rectangular capsule, solid build quality, compact size, versatility and natural sound make the DC-96B a workhorse of the highest order.
The TLM 170R is known for its striking transparent sonic characteristics. Excellent impulse response is a major contributing factor to this lack of coloration that many engineers have come to love. Unique circuitry enables you to change polar patterns remotely via the N48R2 power supply. Switchable low frequency rolloff and 10dB pre attenuation. +48V phantom power.
Another legendary Neumann mic. The KM 84 is a small-diaphragm FET condenser with a fixed Cardioid pickup pattern. It was the world’s first phantom-powered microphone, built to run on 48v DC. Its design goal was to be as small as possible; the model name ‘KM’ stands for Kleine Mikrofon (“small microphone”). Although discontinued in 1992, the KM-84 remains a favorite of vintage mic enthusiasts for drum overheads and hi-hat applications. One of our favorites!
The KMS100 is a very rare Supercardioid mic from Neumann.
Originally conceived in 1969 (avail. 1972), the FET47 has played a significant role in shaping the sound of popular music in the ’70s and beyond. The FET 47’s high SPL-handling capability quickly made it a firm favourite for capturing kick drums, bass instruments, guitar amps, brass and many other demanding instrumental applications.
Blackbird Rentals
2805 Bransford Ave
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 279-7368