Sputnik Vacuum Tube Condenser Microphone description:

The M-Audio Sputnik mic is based on a classic vacuum tube design and manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities to exacting standards.

The M-Audio Sputnik multi-pattern, large diaphragm studio condenser delivers the lush, classic sound normally associated with rare and expensive vintage mics. Sputnik’s combination of hand-picked military-grade vacuum tube, ultrasensitive evaporated gold Mylar diaphragm, solid brass construction, and multiple polar patterns makes it ideal for a wide variety of voices, instruments, and applications—especially putting that signature sound in the spotlight. M-Audio engineered this amazing microphone from scratch with input from top recording industry studio engineers. Finally, you can get a boutique-quality microphone at a price that’s not in the stratosphere.

M-Audio Sputnik main features include:

• Vintage tube design (high output impedance cascode circuit)
• 3-micron evaporated gold Mylar diaphragm
• Low-current 6205M pentode tube, wired in triode mode
• Cardioid, figure-8, and omni polar patterns
• -10dB (attenuation) pad
• 80Hz 2nd-order high-pass filter
• Solid brass body with polished nickel finish
• Dedicated power supply with included 7-pin cable
• Professional shockmount
• Soft cloth bag
• Custom flight case
• Capsule: 3-micron thick Mylar with evaporated gold, double-sided
• Transconductance amplifier: 6205M pentode vacuum tube, wired as a triode, military grade selected
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz ±1.5dB
• Sensitivity: 30mV/Pa (-30.5dBV)
• Max. SPL for 0.5% THD: 132dB (or 142dB with 10dB pad)
• Equivalent noise level: 18dB (A-weighted)
• Output impedance: 200 Ohms, transformer isolated
• Recommended load impedance: > 1 kOhms
• Connectors: 7-pin male XLR for mic output to power supply; 3-pin male XLR for power supply output
• Attenuation and rolloff: switchable 10dB pad; switchable 80Hz 2nd-order (12dB/octave) rolloff
• Polar patterns: cardioid, omni, figure-8
• Size/weight: 8-1/4" (h) x 3" (w) x 2" (d); 1.6 lbs.