Luke Audio AL-X712 and AL-X767 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones
By Rob Tavaglione
It seems to me there are three distinct camps, sometimes intermingled, amongst discriminating engineers and their preferred large diaphragm condensers (LDCs) for vocal applications. There are the vintage purists, a rather privileged group who love, for example, their all-original C12s, 70s-era U87s, and so on; the vintage mod folks, adventurous ones with custom rebuilds and updates of U87, U67, ELA M 251, and ribbon mics; and the boutique people, relying on evolved, modern homages to classic designs from low original production counts. Though all different, each camp is generally expensive to reside in.
The latter—fans of boutique microphones—may desire classic sonic characteristics and vibey tones but appreciate updated features and conveniences of newly built, high-end transducers. Nashville's own Luke Audio is an impressive newcomer to our industry's boutique LDC landscape, handcrafting lovely works of art that nod to the classics yet are streamlined with no superfluous features.
Wave Distribution, Luke Audio’s US distributor, recently supplied me with three mics to review: an AL-X712 pair (Luke Audio’s take on the classic design of AKG’s C12) and one AL-X767 (their version of Neumann’s U67). Both mic models feature the same standard, medium-sized tubular chassis, vented chrome “open air” headbasket, Rycote suspension mount (an InVision USM model) and not a single switch or variable to be found, though Luke Audio does build multi-patterned and padded models too. It also deserves mention that Luke offers the AL-X747 (a take on Neumann’s U47 design) and AL-X751 (inspired by Telefunken’s ELA M 251), all with the same minimalist philosophy. More » |
