ADK Z-47

ADK Custom Shop Z-Mod-47

The Z-Mod-47 has Mellow, yet, Historically “Later” K-7 Response Curve. Smooth but with Attitude. More natural, but with less pushed presence and more natural top. Rich lows that remain tight. The Z-47 has a more neutral mid-range, slight boost in the upper mids, and overall the flattest response.

American-Built ADK Z-Mod Custom Mics – ADK’s top-of-the-line Custom Microphone.

The ADK Z-Mod Tube Microphones are Class A (Discrete) 9 Polar-Pattern Tube (Valve) Condenser Microphones hand-built as “One-Offs” using a custom Belgium-Designed PC Board built with Hi-Fi methods and materials, using a “No-Corners-Cut” approach. Features Hand-Selected Valve, Top-of-the-Line Components (like a British Sowter Transformer) with ADK Designed Capsules from the Custom Shop “Capsule-Bank”.

Based on Ray Charles Favorite ADK’s Area 51 TT chassis, this is a totally Customized Product can be custom-built “One-Off” for each client based on one’s preference for Historical, Vintage Curves -Microphone Response Characteristics. So, if you want a specific color for your capsule choice, then we can do that!

• How we Selected Optimal Transformers for each of the Z-Mods: It took our design-team five years to put the “DNA” of each Classic Valve Mic into the capsule tonality. We took an additional two years beta-testing Transformer Combinations for each of the five Capsules. We enlisted the help of the most respected ‘bat-ears’ in the recording industry, including the late, great Mike Shipley, Chuck Ainlay, and Ronny Brookshire, etc.
We ended up selecting an American, a Swedish, an English and a German Transformer builder.

• Jensen USA Transformer: The Jensen adds a bit of a “smiley face” character to the response of the microphone. Translated, that means a lifted top and bottom. It’s like having a built in sweetening curve on top of the capsule’s response. Our Golden-Ear Engineers all preferred the Jensen in the Z-Mod-251.

• Lundahl Transformer: Lundahl transformers are known for their flat-frequency-response. So, nothing is hyped here. Our Beta-Testers again were all agreed the Z67 and Z-49 were best when paired with the Lundahl. The Lundahl keeps the top smooth and the perception of the mid-range is that it is increased. The lows stay well behaved – not bloomy. But certainly not a boring choice of transformer! Lundahl is a truly hi-fi tranny.

• Sowter Transformer: There is just something “magical” that happens with the Sowter and our testers all preferred the Sowter Transformer in Z-Mod-12 or in the Z-Mod-47. The mid-range comes alive in a special fashion!

• Lehle Transformer: The Lehle adds a bit more sheen to the 251 capsule making it ideal when referencing the brighter tonality that the Z-800 seeks to achieve for a modern tone.