American-Built ADK Z-Mod Custom Mics – ADK’s top-of-the-line Custom Microphone.

The ADK Z-Mod Tube Microphones are Class A (Discrete) 9 Polar-Pattern Tube (Valve) Condenser Microphones hand-built as “One-Offs” using a custom Belgium-Designed PC Board built with Hi-Fi methods and materials, using a “No-Corners-Cut” approach. Features Hand-Selected Valve, Top-of-the-Line Components (like a British Sowter Transformer) with ADK Designed Capsules from the Custom Shop “Capsule-Bank”.

Based on Ray Charles Favorite ADK’s Area 51 TT chassis, this is a totally Customized Product can be custom-built “One-Off” for each client based on one’s preference for Historical, Vintage Curves -Microphone Response Characteristics. So, if you want a specific color for your capsule choice, then we can do that!

ADK Custom Shop “Ruby Lips” Z-Mod-12:
The Z-Mod-12 is the Most “Mid-Boosted” of all ADK Z-Mod-Series Custom Valve Mics with an almost Effervescent High-End. The Z-12 and Z-251 are possibly the most historically accurate of the six mics. Z-12 has more 5kHz boost, the Z-251 has more air (15kHz boost).

How we Selected Optimal Transformers for each of the Z-Mods
It took our design-team five years to put the “DNA” of each Classic Valve Mic into the capsule tonality. We took an additional two years beta-testing Transformer Combinations for each of the five Capsules. We enlisted the help of the most respected ‘bat-ears’ in the recording industry, including the late, great Mike Shipley, Chuck Ainlay, and Ronny Brookshire, etc.
We ended up selecting an American, a Swedish, an English and a German Transformer builder.

Jensen USA Transformer: The Jensen adds a bit of a “smiley face” character to the response of the microphone. Translated, that means a lifted top and bottom. It’s like having a built in sweetening curve on top of the capsule’s response. Our Golden-Ear Engineers all preferred the Jensen in the Z-Mod-251.

Lundahl Transformer: Lundahl transformers are known for their flat-frequency-response. So, nothing is hyped here. Our Beta-Testers again were all agreed the Z67 and Z-49 were best when paired with the Lundahl. The Lundahl keeps the top smooth and the perception of the mid-range is that it is increased. The lows stay well behaved – not bloomy. But certainly not a boring choice of transformer! Lundahl is a truly hi-fi tranny.

Sowter Transformer: There is just something “magical” that happens with the Sowter and our testers all preferred the Sowter Transformer in Z-Mod-12 or in the Z-Mod-47. The mid-range comes alive in a special fashion!

Lehle Transformer: The Lehle is a Custom Transformer with what is considered the most Audiophile Characteristics of all our Transformer Options. The Lehle when combined with the ADK-251 Capsule that adds even more sheen, creating a modern sound that closely emulates the rising top-end of a more modern “800” Series Mic.

ADK Z-Mod Custom Tube/Valve Microphone Comes with everything to plug and play!

 

  • Elegant American-Made Tweed Flight Case
  • American Chrome and Powder-Coat Chassis
  • Hand-Crafted in USA Electronics Assembly
  • Wooden Velvet Lined Microphone Case
  • HD Ring-Shock Combination Suspension Mount
  • Low-Profile Ring Mount (Hard-mount)
  • Foam Windscreen
  • Pop Filter Pop Filter (w/ Gooseneck and Clamp)
  • Switchable 230/115v Power Supply w/ 9 Polar Patterns
  • 16′ Accu-Sound Silver-Pro 7-Pin Tube Microphone XLR Cable
  • 16′ Accu-Sound Silver-Pro 3-Pin: Silver-plated XLR Cable
  • Spare Elastics for Shock Mount
  • Extra Low-Noise Valve/Tube Sampler Pack for fine-tuning tonality
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