recordinghacks

McHugh Military AMM-68

Omnidirectional Pencil Tube Condenser Microphone

The AMM-68 is a limited-production, handbuilt tube pencil mic from Mike McHugh.

The capsule is a 19mm nickel-plated design with an omnidirectional pickup pattern.

The subminiature tube is a 5840, within a cathode-follower design; the same tube and basic circuit design can be found in David Royer’s Mojave MA-100.

The microphone body is milled from 6061 aluminum.

The AMM-68 ships in a military ammunition box; the box houses the tube power supply, with space for cables. The mic clips into a holder within the box, for storage when not in use. A 15' mic/power cable is included. A mic clip is not included.

Tape Op

How does it sound? In a word, incredible. The AMM-68 is a real workhouse. On close applications, it is kind of like a 57 on tube steroids. It distorts very nicely if needed, or engage the pad and tame the beast. It can take the SPLs as the tube just saturates beautifully… With some distance, it takes on an almost ribbon like sound. It excels on toms and congas. Great for room sounds and overheads. It is also an amazing vocal mic.

Mic photo courtesy Blasting Room Studios.

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The mic was released in 1983.

Specifications

Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (n/a mV/Pa; 30 - 10,000 Hz)	Pad: -20dB (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 19mm	150 Ohms (Low)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
92g (3.25oz)	132mm (5.20'')	24mm (0.94'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Includes tube power supply

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