Bock Audio 195

Bock Audio 195 Description

FREE SPIDER MOUNT: Only @ ZenPro Audio.

WHAT IS IT?

The BOCK 195 is custom built, hand made cardioid patterned, phantom powered, large diaphragm FET microphone. In designing the 195, David Bock set out to create an extreme value in studio mics that could satisfy a wide range of demands for highly experienced engineers that own many more expensive microphones, yet need additional mics within a budget. It delivers superb results on lead vocal tracks as well as in instrument and guitar amp use, providing remarkable fullness and presence with exceptionally low background noise.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?

Unique to the BOCK 195 is the switches that enable you to customize the sound for the application at hand. The combinations of tone switches allows for unmatched versatility in a professional studio mic. Three different switches are offered: a "Mode" switch, a “PAD” switch and a “LOW CUT” switch. 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. The 195 PAD reduces the mic sensitivity by 10dB for louder sources such as a guitar amp. 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 U195’s unique amplifier circuitry is key to why a 195 sounds so different in use compared to other FET mics. It 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 a unique to the industry output transformer—many times the size of competitors. Audio professionals know a large and well designed transformer is the key to wonderful analog sound. Our proprietary transformer design takes up half the room in the mic body! We did this not just to prove that bigger is better, but to increase the low frequency headroom beyond that of other transformer coupled mics.

HOW DO I USE IT?

The 195 accepts a broad spectrum of acoustic input levels, from soft vocals to heavy drums, yet also offers extended bandwidth response along with facilities for tailoring tonal characteristics for optimum results on any voice or instrument. The versatility afforded by the switches make the BOCK 195 an ideal choice for recording drums (tom-toms, in particular), percussion and acoustic guitar. High SPL tolerance allows use of the 195 in front of electrical guitar amplifiers, where the FAT Mode response adds extra oomph to the guitar tracks. Many engineers will find uses for the 195 limited only by their imaginations and ever-changing session demands. One thing is assured: you will find your BOCK 195 to be one of your most useful mics for many years to come!

Bock brought the logo badge back, current 195 mics are looking better than ever!

Bock Audio 195 Specifications:

• Patterns: Cardioid
• Frequency Range: 20Hz to 16kHz, +/-2dB
• Sensitivity: 8mv/Pa (-42dBm=94dB SPL)
• Equivalent Noise: 13dB (“A” weighted) 22dB (unweighted)
• Distortion vs.SPL @1kHz:
• 126dB = 0.5% THD
• 127dB = 1% THD
• 129dB = 2% THD
• (increasing distortion is exponential, complex 3rd harmonic)
• Impedance: 200 Ohms true transformer balanced
• Recommended load: 1.2k Ohms
• Dynamic range (maxSPL-"A"noise): 111dB
• S/N (94dB-noise): 81dB “A”, 72dB unweighted
• Capsule size: 1” diameter, dual symmetrical backplate k67 type
• Amplifier type: Minimalist Class A fet/transformer, no switching supplies or oscilators
• Amplifier Controls:
  "fat/norm" bass contour switch
  "locut" rumble filter switch
  "pad" -10dB sensitivity switch
• Dimensions: 2.04” dia x 7.7” oal (51x195mm)
• Weight: 1lb 9.6oz (1.6lbs) =725g
• Shipping weight: 6 lbs
• Power Supply: P48 phantom powered, user provided. Minimum 45v for proper operation
• Ships with wooden case and hard stand mount
  

*Formerly known as the Soundelux U195

Bock Audio 195 Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page   A stand out in the $1000-ish price range, David Bock has a real winner on his hands with the 195 The cardioid pattern, FET style condenser mic features a “FAT” switch on board which actually changes the character of the onboard amplifier, to blast low end response to a big level from 400hZ down. The “NORM” switch is a much more natural response sound in the low end and a slightly lifted top end. There is a low cut switch and a -10dB pad as well.  The shock mount is less than something to write home about, not real tight fitting (edit 12-31-09: now ships with hard stand mount).   The clarity of this microphone is in its own league, regardless of price. Bock obviously worked hard on lowering distortion with this mic and it shows. However, it’s one of the coolest flavors of “clean” I’ve ever heard. It’s kind of glassy, and I don’t mean that it’s not detailed, it just has this texture to it still that could not be called “character” in that most people associate character with distortion traits. It’s a big, classy sound and things sound very real through the 195. The “fat” switch gives you the opportunity to distant mic things like drums (room or outer kick, wow), vocals and acoustic instruments without them sounding thin…! This is a very distinct advantage of the 195, it can sound huge from a distance. The fat switch does exactly what you think it will, actually maybe a little more than I expected it to do when I first switched it on.   Conclusion: Opulent, classy, natural but somehow wrapped in a clean goodness that is hard to describe. The 195 for any studio needing a great go-to cardioid condenser FET mic for virtually all purposes seriously cannot go wrong with this flavor, which isn’t a real obvious flavor at all but, well this mic is mystifying me lets say.