Soundelux U95
Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone
The U95 was a multipattern tube condenser microphone, designed by David Bock and sold by Soundelux. It was Soundelux’ flagship tube condenser in 1998.
The mic had 9 polar patterns, switchable via the external tube power supply (which was a dual-voltage design).
The capsule in the U95 was made by 797 Audio in China; it was a dual-membrane, large-diaphragm design made with a gold-coated Mylar membrane measuring 6 microns in thickness. A single-diaphragm version of this capsule can be found in the U195 (which was a cardioid-only microphone).
The U95 amplifier circuit used an 6072A dual-triode tube.
Ty Ford
Another part of Bock’s recipe for a successful tube mic is an extremely critical evaluation of the 6072 tubes themselves. Tubes must pass four tests before they end up in a U95; a distortion test at normal levels, a maximum SPL rating with less than .5% distortion, a microphonics check and a frequency correlative noise check.
There has been some confusion about the origin of the rest of the U95 microphone. David Bock, the designer of the Soundelux mics, addressed this in March, 2005:
David Bock
[T]he first hundred of each original U95 and U195 were built entirely in China and then entirely rebuilt here due to poor quality there… After that only mic bodies and capsules were made there.
The mic included a 6-pin XLR cable, lacquered wood storage box for the mic, AC cable, shock mount & travel case for system.
Soundelux, 1999
Though the U95 has all the warmth and midrange detail usually associated with tube mics, it’s one of the few with extended response to 20kHz. This extended response gives it a sense of “air” and top end magic that is undeniable. Though its creation was inspired by the great mics of the past, its unique two stage tube electronics were an industry first. Top quality components are used exclusively in both the mic and power supply, which are designed for decades of trouble-free service.
Ty Ford
On male voice, the brightness of both the U95 and U195 eliminated the need for top end EQ, and I could work both mics within two inches without proximity overloading the bottom.
Permalink: Soundelux U95
The mic was released in 1998.
Specifications
Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
---|---|
Omnidirectional
(17 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (17 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (17 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
|
Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
---|---|---|
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm Capsule diameter: 32mm Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns |
150 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 130 dB Self-noise: 18.0 dB(A) |
Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
---|---|---|---|
835g (29.45oz) | 271mm (10.67'') | 52mm (2.05'') |
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Power Specifications |
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