ADK Mics and David Bock

[jim1960]

So this is an interesting development. David was a co-founder of Soundelux Microphones and then made highly regarded microphones under his own name for years. He was hired by Universal Audio in October 2020 and I guess he sold UA the designs he was selling at the time. But in February 2023, after about 28 months, UA laid him off (just as Bock's wife entered hospice).

ADK has announced a partnership with Bock and have released a redesign of their flagship lineup. This feels like a much better fit for someone with Bock's talent and I'm curious to hear these mics when the reviews start showing up.

NEW GENERATION ADK Z² TUBE MICROPHONES - Announcing ADK Microphone & David Bock Z² Microphone Collaboration

[KevWind]

Interesting as many may know my main Vocal mic is an ADK Z Mod 251 and IMO ADK Z are a great value in Vintage mic style based modern Mics.

Now the Silver Edition with all the bells and whistle's are MSP of $3998 so $4k
Is aprox $400 more than the Previous Z Mod Silver Edition pricing, but includes more items

The you can get also just the mic for $2250 and pic the accessories you want which is pretty good deal albeit the power supply is another $700 and $50 for the import 7 -pin cable but still pretty great for a IMO great vintage flavored tube condenser

And you have it looks like 16 different body and head basket color options which is pretty cool also

It does look like ADK is staying with one size shape body (Which Jim you commented on before
)
Silver Edition includes
"Z-Power"® Universal
Continuously-Variable Valve/Tube
Microphone Power Supply
• Accu-Sound SILVER 7 Pin
• Accu-Sound SILVER 3 Pin
• Hakan Pop Filter from Sweden with
Goose-Neck and Clamp
• Rycote Shock Mount
• Shock Mount
• Ring Mount
• Tube sampler kit -4 tubes
• Deluxe Tweed Flight Case
• American Hardwood Jewel Box

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by KevWind

It does look like ADK is staying with one size shape body (Which Jim you commented on before)

Yeah. I still think they'd be selling a lot more mics if they had bodies that at least hinted at the mics they're emulating. But I like what they're doing with that Silver Edition and I think their T-FET line is great value.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Interesting as many may know my main Vocal mic is an ADK Z Mod 251 and IMO ADK Z are a great value in Vintage mic style based modern Mics.

Now the Silver Edition with all the bells and whistle's are MSP of $3998 so $4k
Is aprox $400 more than the Previous Z Mod Silver Edition pricing, but includes more items

The you can get also just the mic for $2250 and pic the accessories you want which is pretty good deal albeit the power supply is another $700 and $50 for the import 7 -pin cable but still pretty great for a IMO great vintage flavored tube condenser

And you have it looks like 16 different body and head basket color options which is pretty cool also

It does look like ADK is staying with one size shape body (Which Jim you commented on before
)
Silver Edition includes
"Z-Power"® Universal
Continuously-Variable Valve/Tube
Microphone Power Supply
• Accu-Sound SILVER 7 Pin
• Accu-Sound SILVER 3 Pin
• Hakan Pop Filter from Sweden with
Goose-Neck and Clamp
• Rycote Shock Mount
• Shock Mount
• Ring Mount
• Tube sampler kit -4 tubes
• Deluxe Tweed Flight Case
• American Hardwood Jewel Box

These new ADK Z “2” mics are being offered at a $1,000 discount ($3k) for a time.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

These new ADK Z “2” mics are being offered at a $1,000 discount ($3k) for a time.

Very cool I did not catch that ,, that would IMO make them a serious bargain for a top shelf studio mic

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by jim1960

So this is an interesting development. David was a co-founder of Soundelux Microphones and then made highly regarded microphones under his own name for years. He was hired by Universal Audio in October 2020 and I guess he sold UA the designs he was selling at the time. But in February 2023, after about 28 months, UA laid him off (just as Bock's wife entered hospice).

ADK has announced a partnership with Bock and have released a redesign of their flagship lineup. This feels like a much better fit for someone with Bock's talent and I'm curious to hear these mics when the reviews start showing up.

NEW GENERATION ADK Z² TUBE MICROPHONES - Announcing ADK Microphone & David Bock Z² Microphone Collaboration

It was criminal what UA did to David. Up until that point I was anxiously awaiting the UA/Bock releases & fully intending to buy a couple for the studio. Once I heard how David was treated I decided not to buy their mics.

For the record, we have a few Bock/Soundelux mics at the studio & can attest to David's passion for making great mics. Looking at the ADK offerings, I wish they had an 87 style option. I'm up to my ears with tube mics & would like a solid u87 competitor coming in $1k under Neumann.

Kudos to them for recognizing the potential for David's designs.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by DupleMeter

It was criminal what UA did to David. Up until that point I was anxiously awaiting the UA/Bock releases & fully intending to buy a couple for the studio. Once I heard how David was treated I decided not to buy their mics.

I agree. I was once a big fan of UA going all the way back to the UAD-1 days and I had three of their interfaces over the years. In recent years, however, I've grown increasingly averse to the company for multiple reasons. How they treated David reaffirmed what I felt.

I was disappointed when I heard he had signed on with UA and none of what happened surprised me. I'm glad he's now landed with a company that is mic-centric instead of bottom-line-centric. ADK should be a good fit for him.

Originally Posted by DupleMeter

Looking at the ADK offerings, I wish they had an 87 style option. I'm up to my ears with tube mics & would like a solid u87 competitor coming in $1k under Neumann.

There are a couple of 87 mics I think worth consideration based on the samples I've heard. There are reviews out there, if you're inclined to read/watch them. Both are going after the vintage 87 sound rather than the brighter sound of the 87ai. Both are wallet-friendly coming in well under $1k.

The Serrano Vintage 87

The BeesNeez B87i C

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by jim1960

I agree. I was once a big fan of UA going all the way back to the UAD-1 days and I had three of their interfaces over the years. In recent years, however, I've grown increasingly averse to the company for multiple reasons. How they treated David reaffirmed what I felt.

I was disappointed when I heard he had signed on with UA and none of what happened surprised me. I'm glad he's now landed with a company that is mic-centric instead of bottom-line-centric. ADK should be a good fit for him.



There are a couple of 87 mics I think worth consideration based on the samples I've heard. There are reviews out there, if you're inclined to read/watch them. Both are going after the vintage 87 sound rather than the brighter sound of the 87ai. Both are wallet-friendly coming in well under $1k.

The Serrano Vintage 87

The BeesNeez B87i C

I will definitely check those out.

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by jim1960

I agree. I was once a big fan of UA going all the way back to the UAD-1 days and I had three of their interfaces over the years. In recent years, however, I've grown increasingly averse to the company for multiple reasons. How they treated David reaffirmed what I felt.

I was disappointed when I heard he had signed on with UA and none of what happened surprised me. I'm glad he's now landed with a company that is mic-centric instead of bottom-line-centric. ADK should be a good fit for him.



There are a couple of 87 mics I think worth consideration based on the samples I've heard. There are reviews out there, if you're inclined to read/watch them. Both are going after the vintage 87 sound rather than the brighter sound of the 87ai. Both are wallet-friendly coming in well under $1k.

The Serrano Vintage 87

The BeesNeez B87i C

Also. I probably mentioned this before, but we have a pair of the United Studio technologies Twin 87s at the studio. They're quite good for the price. I did a review of them for Production Expert: https://www.production-expert.com/pr...n87-microphone