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side-address large-diaphragm tube alctron multipattern 12ax7 condenser
Specifications and Reviews
Mods for the 460
- 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
Apex Electronics 460
Street: $185 / MSRP: $369 Multi-Pattern Condenser Tube Microphone
Description
The Apex 460 tube condenser microphone is manufactured by Alctron; it is a rebranded HST-11A.
The mic comes with a power supply that allows switching among 9 polar pickup patterns.
MIXAt $229, the Apex 460 is a phenomenal buy.
This is one of many AKG C12 lookalikes, and is possibly one of the best-known and most widely available; as a result, much work has been done by hobbyists to mod this mic, such as replacing the capsule and transformer and some components on the circuit board.
A teardown analysis by StudioReviews.com indicates that the Apex 460 is identical to the original (early 2005 edition) R-F-T M16 — a mic costing (at the time) significantly more.
Common upgrades include:
- Swap the stock transformer for a Cinemag CM-2480; see photo tutorial. Another option is the Tab-Funkenwerk BV314, which is used in Telefunken USA’s M16MkII
- Change capsule to Peluso CEK-12 or CEK-367
- Replace the Chinese 12AX7B tube with a 12AT7 or 6072
- Various circuitry changes are possible, too; search the forums for details
Permalink: Apex Electronics 460
The mic was released in 2003.
Specifications
| Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
|---|---|
|
Omnidirectional
(14 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (14 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (14 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
|
| Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
|---|---|---|
| Diaphragm diameter: 26mm |
200 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 125 dB |
| Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 824g (29.07oz) | 240mm (9.45'') | 46mm (1.81'') |
|
| Power Specifications |
|---|
|
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