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side-address large-diaphragm tube alctron multipattern condenser
Specifications and Reviews
Mods for the HST-11A
- Advanced Audio Microphones
Dave’s suite of improvements to the HST-11A (and its rebadged equivalents) includes replacing electrolytic capacitors with Mylar, bypassing unnecessary capacitors, changing the capsule to a Peluso (model varies by application, e.g. a CEK-89 provides U67-like response, CEK-367 provides U47-like response, CEK-12 for C12-like response), swapping the 12AX7 tube for at 12AT7 or 12AY7/6072a (providing a 6-8dB gain in headroom), and changing the output transformer (e.g. to a Cinemag CM-2480), resulting in a microphone “which will go head to head with a C12 or Tele U47.” - Marik
Marik’s suite of mods for the HST-11A (and rebadged equivalents, including the TCM1150 and Apex 460) includes upgrading tubes and electronics to higher-quality parts, upgrading transformers to Cinemag/Lundahl or Marik’s own custom-wound tube mic transformers, and redesigning the circuit for optimum tube/transformer match.
Related Microphones
Ningbo Alctron Electronics Co., Ltd. HST-11A
MSRP: $80 Multi-Pattern Condenser Tube Microphone
Description
The HST-11A is the best-known Chinese clone of the AKG C12 design — a dual-diaphragm, tube microphone with 9 polar patterns selectable via a switch on the power supply. It has been rebranded and rebadged under numerous labels; see the “related mics” in the sidebar. The Apex 460 seems to be the best-known label (and was found in a teardown analysis to be identical to the original RFT M16 from Telefunken USA). The Nady TCM-1150 is another well-known rebadged HST-11A.
These mics respond well to aftermarket mods, such as swapping the capsule, transformer, tube, and capacitors, resulting (to some ears) in a sound and response characteristics that rival the C12/ELAM251 — mics costing over $5000.
Alctron mics are not available in the retail channel, except through the “rebadgers,” although there are stories online of people who have successfully imported small lots of Alctron-badged goods. Freight charges often equal the mic prices for small orders.
The Ningbo Alctron Electronics Co., Ltd. HST-11A is also known as: HST11, HST11A.
Specifications
| Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
|---|---|
|
Omnidirectional
(25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
|
| Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
|---|---|---|
| Diaphragm diameter: 26mm |
200 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 134 dB |
| Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 824g (29.07oz) | 240mm (9.45'') | 46mm (1.81'') |
|
| Power Specifications |
|---|
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