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ADK Z² 49 exhibits a rich, velvety midrange and a tailored top-end. It is a homage to the classic M49 microphone, which engineers have used on countless albums over the last 65 years. As a result, the Z² 49 is the most ribbon-like mic in the collection and characterizes the tone of the M-7 (vs. Z² 47 with more of a K-7 tone). Our golden-eared experts chose the Lundahl transformer to pair with this capsule. Possibly the mellowest of all the Z², Ken Riley picked the Z² 49 for John Forman of Switchfoot.
ADK'S TOP-OF-THE-LINE CUSTOM MICROPHONE. AMERICAN-BUILT ADK Z² CUSTOM MICS.
The ADK Z² 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. Each microphone features a hand-selected valve and top-of-the-line components (like a British Sowter Transformer) with ADK-designed capsules from the Custom Shop "Capsule-Bank."
Founded on Ray Charles's Favorite ADK's Area 51 TT chassis, this is a customized product that can be custom-built "one-off" for each client based on one's preference for historical, vintage curves, and microphone response characteristics. So, we can do that if you want a specific tone color for your capsule choice!
ADK Custom Shop Z² 49:
The ADK Custom Shop Z² 49 is more of a vintage 50's vibe taken from the "7" capsule. Very smooth, almost dark top with a full mid and round bottom. Great for vocal, strings, and trumpet. Seriously, if you've ever felt like every other tube microphone is still too bright for you on top, but you like the responsiveness of a tube-powered condenser capsule, then THIS is the choice for you.
• "Z-Power"® Universal
Continuously-Variable Valve/Tube
Microphone Power Supply
• Accu-Sound SILVER 7 Pin
• Accu-Sound SILVER 3 Pin
• Hakan Pop Filter from Sweden with
Goose-Neck and Clamp
• Rycote Shock Mount
• Shock Mount
• Ring Mount
• Tube sampler kit
• Deluxe Tweed Flight Case
• American Hardwood Jewel Box
The Z² Silver Edition Suite gives you the best of all possible accessory suites. If everything in the signal-chain matters, Accu-Sound Silver Pro is audibly better than any wire we've ever tried. Silver Edition is the chef's table multi-course delight with Rycote, Hakan, and N/O stock tubes to complement the Z²® and Z-Power®, protected in a luxurious deluxe HD tweed case. Looks as great as it sounds.
The same quality Z² microphone in an American Hardwood Jewel Box, but with the option to purchase the accessories separately. How we Selected Optimal Transformers for each of the Z²
It took our design team five years to put the "DNA" of each classic valve mic into the capsule tonality. Then, we took another two years of beta-testing transformer combinations for each of the five capsules. Finally, we enlisted the help of the most respected 'bat-ears' in the recording industry, including the late great Mike Shipley, Chuck Ainlay, 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 microphone's response. 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 Z² 251.
Lundahl Transformer: Lundahl transformers are known for their flat-frequency response. Nothing hyped here. Our beta-testers again agreed that Z² 67 and Z² 49 were best when paired with the Lundahl. The Lundahl keeps the top smooth, and the mid-range perception increases. The lows stay well-behaved – not bloomy. But indeed not a boring choice of transformer! Lundahl is a true hi-fi transformer.
Sowter Transformer: Just something "magical" happens with the Sowter. Our testers all preferred the Sowter Transformer in Z² 12 and Z² 47. The mid-range comes alive in a memorable 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, adds even more sheen, creating a modern sound that closely emulates the rising top-end of a more modern "800" Series Mic.
