Roswell Audio Mini K47 captures the tone of a vintage microphone, with modern performance specifications.
"K47" refers to the capsule design. The capsule in this microphone is modeled after the one in the most famous microphone of all time. It provides a full, balanced tone without any harshness or hype in the upper frequencies. It will record less sibilance and fewer mouth sounds on your next vocal track. It will add weight and body to high strings and electric guitars. It will reduce the jangle in strummed acoustic tracks.
For this microphone, we chose a very clean and transparent circuit design. It lets the sound of the capsule pass through without alteration. Self-noise and distortion performance are on par with microphones costing significantly more. The circuit incorporates the best tricks we’ve learned from modifying and upgrading other companies’ products.
To ensure that every Mini K47 microphone delivers superior performance out of the box, we test them extensively prior to shipping: for polarity, noise, frequency response, and sensitivity. We listen to every microphone before it leaves our facility.
The Mini K47 ships with our exclusive Cutaway shockmount and an aluminum flight case (new for Sept, 2017). This edition of the microphone has been upgraded internally and externally, with a tough powder-coated finish and refinements to both the audio and DC circuits.
Recording drum overheads or other stereo applications? Click for matched pairs of the Mini K47.
Features
• True single-backplate 34mm K47 style capsule
• 3-micron diaphragm
• Ultra-clean transformerless circuit
• Imported, audiophile-grade polypropylene signal capacitors
• Heavy, solid steel body with durable powder-coated finish
• Exclusive Cutaway™ elastic shockmount
Benefits
• Natural, unhyped frequency response
• Enhanced articulation
• Solid, high-quality construction
• High sensitivity
• Low self-noise and very low distortion
• Modern performance with vintage tone
Component Details
The most unique thing about the Mini K47 is its capsule: a true 34mm K47 type capsule, modeled after the capsule in the most famous microphone of all time. We selected this capsule because it delivers a sound that is impossible to achieve with any other capsule design: beautiful midrange detail with a neutral, rather than a hyped, top end.
Most of the condenser microphones priced under $800 use the 2SK170 JFET, a low-cost, general purpose amplifier that can sound good when configured properly. But it usually used in circuits where its very high input capacitance (Ciss, 30pF) acts like a hardwired pad: it reduces the mic's sensitivity, which effectively raises the mic's noise floor. We prefer a JFET with a much lower input capacitance. We bias each one individually within the microphone's circuit, to ensure the highest possible gain without distortion.
The input coupling cap is the first component most aftermarket "modders" would change, because so many condenser mics use a low-grade ceramic or generic polyester box film type in this critical position. For the Mini K47, we use a polystyrene part. Styrene capacitors are generally considered to be the most neutrally voiced, cleanest sounding capacitors.
The main signal capacitors in this circuit are polypropylene film types, imported from Germany.
This combination of components delivers a sonic profile that is much more musical and balanced than anything in its price category.
Specifications
• Model: Mini K47
• Acoustic Principle: Pressure gradient transducer
• Capsule: 34mm O.D. True Condenser, K47 style, single backplate
• Diaphragm: 3 micron imported Mylar, center terminated
• Frequency Range: 20 - 16,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 18 mV/Pa
• Impedance: 114 Ohms
• Signal-to-noise: 81 dBA
• Equivalent noise: 13 dBA
• Supply voltage: 48±4 VDC
• Output: Electronically balanced (transformerless)
• Physical dimensions: 150 × 44mm; 325g (mic only)