Designed for higher SPL items like kick drum with a specialized circuit.
The Mini K47 KD is a handbuilt microphone for high SPL applications: kick drum, floor tom, bass cab, brass.
We've retained our incredibly popular K47 capsule, as found in the Mini K47. We've crafted a new circuit that is optimized for high SPL capture with minimal noise, huge bottom end, and high headroom.
The Mini K47 KD ships with our exclusive Cutaway shockmount in a hard case.
Features
- Purpose-built for kick drum (and other high SPL applications)
- Designed, assembled, and tested in California
- Vintage tone from true 34mm large-diaphragm K47 capsule
- Handpicked NOS audiophile components
Circuit Design
We developed a new circuit for the KD, to accommodate two characteristics not typically demanded of large-diaphragm condensers: the ability to withstand high-SPL sources without clipping downstream devices (e.g., the preamp), and to capture subsonic bass frequencies.
The simple solution to reducing output would be to add a big capacitor to the mic's input circuit; this would indeed increase headroom and decrease output. High-value capacitive pads can add distortion, though, which is not part of the desired sound for this model.
Instead, we changed the circuit topology to reduce the output level without adding distortion. We adjusted internal voltages to raise headroom without artificial attenuation. And we changed component values to reduce low-frequency filtering.
The result is a mic purpose-built for kick drum, both internal and external placements.
Components
The demand for high SPL capability affects JFET choice. Some transistors are capable of higher headroom than others.
We individually "bias" every JFET for the KD circuit; this configures the transistor for its max SPL and minimum distortion.
The main signal capacitor in the KD is a vintage component, no longer made and increasingly difficult to find. It provides a uniquely transparent sound, and fits a large value (capacitance) in a small package. We use another similar part as the final DC filter capacitor on the capsule power supply.
This modified circuit topology and the combination of components gives us the clarity and punch we want, with plenty of headroom and dynamic range
