recordinghacks

Bock Audio 151

Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone

The Bock 151 is a fixed-cardioid large diaphragm tube condenser. Essentially a budget version of the flagship Bock 251, the 151 was designed for close-miked applications such as vocals.

It uses a proprietary, hand made capsule described as a “dual asymetrical-backplate CK12-type,” a proprietary hand-wound vintage style transformer, a NOS EF732 tube in the mic amplifier and a hand-built custom outboard power supply.

(Note: previous versions of this document identified the tube as a New Old Stock GE5670 triode; this was due to an error in documentation from the distributor for Bock Audio products. The tube in the 151 is an EF732.)

The “brite/normal” switch delivers two sounds in one mic:

• “Bright” allows unfiltered extended high frequency response that defines a modern high end condenser.
• “Normal” offers a less bright, more vintage style high frequency response more forgiving to sibilant singers and or voices that need a darker treatment.

The 151 uses US-made metalwork with a relatively utilitarian finish. The mic has been discontinued as of January, 2011, in favor of the new Bock 241, which uses imported metalwork that is closer to the Ela M 251 in appearance.

See also the Soundelux E251C, the original version of this mic design.

The Bock Audio 151 is also known as: Bock 151.

The mic was released in 2007.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (19 mV/Pa; 30 - 18,000 Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm	200 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 112 dB Self-noise: 18.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
694g (24.48oz)	216mm (8.50'')	52mm (2.05'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Includes tube power supply

Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!