recordinghacks

CardioidBock Audio 195

  MSRP: $1,200 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Bock Audio 195

Description

Originally known as the Soundelux U195, the Bock Audio 195 is custom built, handmade large diaphragm FET microphone with a fixed cardioid pickup pattern.

David Bock, founder of Soundelux, purchased the company assets and reintroduced several of the Soundelux mics under the Bock Audio name. See the above link or the sidebar link to the Soundelux 195 for additional information about the Bock 195.

Three different tone switches provide a variety of sounds from a single microphone:

  • “Mode”
    The Mode switch offers two modes of operation, FAT and NORM. FAT is a low end boost between 10Hz and 400Hz for that distinctive sound of older tube classic cardioid condensers. NORM is extended flat response with slightly elevated high end typical of FET condensers.
  • “PAD”
    The PAD reduces the mic sensitivity by 10dB for louder sources such as a guitar amp.
  • “Low Cut”
    The LOW CUT reduces frequency response by 10dB at 20 Hz to clean up the bottom end of vocals, bottom heavy source or a boomy room.

The 195 amplifier circuitry offers superior response to wider dynamics while avoiding the typical transistor low-level high-order harmonic distortion commonly found in other FET mics. The BOCK 195 also contains an output transformer many times the size of what is used by competitors, to increase the low frequency headroom beyond that of other transformer coupled mics.

The mic’s cardioid capsule is a K67-type, dual-diaphragm capsule made in China. Rather than using an off-the-shelf Chinese capsule, mic designer David Bock specified a customization to improve the capsule’s response.

Mojo Pie

No matter what the source, I find the sound to be dense and meaty with highs that are crisp but smooth, and lows that are full but not muddy. I tend to use it for tracks that I want stand out in a mix. In comparison to mics I am familiar with, such as the Shure SM81 or CAD E series, the 195 possesses incredible depth and dimension that captures much more of the source.

Permalink: Bock Audio 195

The mic was released in 2007.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (8 mV/Pa; 20 - 16,000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: -10dB @ 20Hz (Via Switch)
  • Filter: Low end boost (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm
 200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 111 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
725g (25.57oz) 195mm (7.68'') 51mm (2.01'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 45v

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