M-Audio's Sputnik mic signals the end of microphone envy. Based on a classic vacuum tube design and manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities to exacting standards, this multi-pattern, large diaphragm studio condenser delivers the lush, classic sound normally associated with rare and expensive vintage mics like the Neumann U47 and AKG C12.

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.

Signature Sound

Great sounding vocals and other acoustic tracks start with the microphone itself. Building on years of expertise, our engineering team conducted exhaustive research into this phenomenon and established just what gives the top high-end studio condensers their ineffable qualities. Then they distilled the best characteristics of these classic vacuum tube designs into one extraordinary mic with M-Audio's trademark value pricing.

In fact many listening test participants feel that the Sputnik mic exhibits the praised throaty lows and low-mids of the Neumann U47 along with the upper-mids and open airy highs of the AKG C12, making it ideal for faithfully capturing a wide variety of sources including male and female vocals.

Built for the Pros

When tweaking the Sputnik mic's capsule and circuitry, we worked closely with top L.A. recording engineers and producers to make sure we hit the proverbial nail squarely on the head. These are professionals who have some of the world's finest vintage mics at their disposal. And in final side-by-side listening tests, these same pros agreed that Sputnik performed flawlessly for the most critical recording situations.

More Than Just a Great Vocal Mic

Many microphones are best used for specific applications, which is why most engineers have a more-than-modest investment in a locker full of mics. We spent many engineering hours working to insure that Sputnik would provide excellent results in a wide variety of situations: Vocals have that signature sound. Saxophones are both throaty and silky. Pianos and acoustic guitar are clear and full-bodied. Brass and woodwinds are realistic. And hand percussion is tight and crisp. Sputnik allows you to put any instrument in the spotlight and cardioid, omni, and figure-8 patterns give it the flexibility to be your ultimate secret weapon in the studio

Custom Power Supply Delivers 200-Foot Cable Runs

The Sputnik's power supply features a sophisticated circuit designed to ensure optimal performance of the mic and audio signal path. It also features a voltage ramp-up when powered on in order to further extend tube life. As an added bonus, an automatic load-sensing circuit compensates for varying transmission line impedances, allowing you to run cables as long as 200 feet.

Vintage Tube Warmth

The Sputnik mic's military-grade 6205M vacuum tube is a diminutive pentode wired as a triode the output behavior is like that of a perfect current source so it's tolerant of a wide range of load conditions. The tube operates at high voltages, allowing an enormous dynamic range - but with less heat dissipation than other designs. As a result, you can easily hang this mic upside down or use it upright without having to worry about overheating the capsule.

We've also mounted the tube itself upside down to facilitate shorter connections that, in turn, make for more controlled impedance and less stray capacitance - a design trait shared by German mics like the revered Telefunken 251. The Sputnik also employs a socketless design eliminating the potential for impedance mismatch, signal deterioration and contact corrosion. What about changing tubes on the fly, you say? Research shows that tubes go bad within the first 10 hours of use. We hand-pick military-grade tubes to ensure the highest specs, consistency and reliability, then burn them in for a week so you don't have to worry about changing tubes in the first place.

Everything Included

With the Sputnik mic, you'll be up and running as soon as you open the box. Each mic includes a professional shockmount, dedicated power supply, 7-pin mic cable, grounded IEC power supply, soft cloth bag and a custom flight case. All you need to do is plug it in and open up a channel.

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