Los Angeles, CA – April 10, 2023 – Soyuz Microphones is exhibiting at NAMM this year (ACC NORTH Booth #16105) to showcase their offering of handmade microphones and inline “Launcher” preamps.
At the forefront of their display this year is the recently released 1973 FET Condenser Microphone. At just $799 MAP, it’s the first handmade microphone in the world available for less than one thousand dollars.
Creating “The People’s Microphone”
Every component of Soyuz’s microphones is produced in-house. The capsules are hand-lathed from brass bar stock to within one micron of tolerance by master machinists. The screws are milled by hand, the circuit boards are hand-wired and tested, and even the wooden cases are crafted in the Soyuz wood shop by their small team of carpenters.
“With the 1973, we wanted to create a new microphone that retained the high quality of our other products while making it more affordable for bedroom music makers and project studios,” says Soyuz Microphones’ co-founder, David Brown.
Because of such intensive skilled labor, producing a microphone that would sell for less than a thousand dollars was a challenge for lead microphone designer Vladimir Seleznev. Soyuz accomplished this through a series of features. One is the 1973’s SU23 capsule. (The SU23 is the same capsule used in the Soyuz 023 microphone, which is based on LOMO’s improvements of the AKG CK12). Using the same capsule allows for Soyuz machinists to produce stock in bulk. The second is the microphone’s body, a smaller and less labor-intensive and material-heavy frame than most of their other microphones. Lastly is the exclusion of a transformer and a custom wooden box.
A Vintage-Style Handmade Microphone with Modern Innovations
The year 1973 is considered by some as the “golden age” of FET condenser microphones. The Neumann U87 and AKG 414, for example, were released in the early 1970s and appeared on countless records. The 1973 is a completely original design combining the refined aesthetics and premium build quality found in all Soyuz products with FET circuitry similar to these vintage staples.
Most interesting is the “resonator” attached to the front of the SU23 capsule. All of Soyuz’s other large diaphragm condenser microphones have been designed with lollipop style capsule enclosures due to head designer Vladimir’s belief that too many unwanted resonances are caused by enclosed microphone grilles. This issue has been resolved by designing a small cone that sits over the capsule and acts as a diffuser for standing waves inside the grille. As an unintentional but welcome benefit, this small resonator also blocks many plosives from striking the capsule — making it somewhat of an integrated pop filter.
Hear it for Yourself
“When you buy a 1973, you’re getting a Soyuz in every sense of the word,” states Brown. “Expect lows that are present but not boomy, a forward midrange that’s never boxy and highs that are airy and open, but never harsh.”
Soyuz will be exhibiting the 1973 among all their other microphones and inline preamps at ACC NORTH Booth #16105 during NAMM 2023. Stop by to listen for yourself, grab some swag (and a free coffee) and have all your questions answered.
You can also visit Soyuz’s extensive Listening Library to hear samples of the 1973 and all their other microphones on a variety of sources.
Coming Soon from Soyuz
In addition to their current offerings, Soyuz will also be offering a sneak preview of a new microphone arriving in summer of 2023. Stop by the Soyuz booth to see for yourself!
For more information about the Soyuz 1973 FET Condenser Microphone, reach out to Sales Manager Scotty Iulianelli([email protected]).
