Apex Apex460B Large Diaphragm Multi-Pattern Tube Studio Condenser Microphone with Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Figure-8 Patterns, Shock Mount Clip

As a hardware donor platform, 5 stars.The stock mic gets 3 stars for sound quality.Out of the box, it works. The sound is ok at best. It's a tube mic. You can say that you have a tube mic - coolness 1-UP. Don't expect anything spectacular though. It's sharp and top heavy, not the gentle, smooth tone you expect from a tube mic.There are a number of mods that you can do to this mic to get the sound you expect from a tube mic.IMPORTANT :: Don't forget, tube circuits run on high voltage. Make sure everything is unplugged and caps are discharged before you begin any mods.At a minimum, replace the 12AX7 that ships with the thing - it's not the right tube to use in this application. Use a 12AT7 or 12AY7. A 12AU7 will also work here, but will give you a slightly lower output level.I think the easiest is the "Mini-Mod" from Fox Audio. (google it)Step 1 of the mini-mod is to find 2 caps and literally remove them (just clip the leads from the board). You've already done step 3 (change the tube). These 2 things make a noticeable improvement to the sound above the stock mic, and you can stop there if you want. But there is still more that can be pulled out of the thing. I did the whole Mini-mod and the mic sounds WAY better than it did stock. (used a 12AT7, did not replace the capsule)There are other mods out there for this mic, including keeping only the body and putting a totally different circuit into it. Again, hit the google and have fun. Find the sound that makes you happy.

If you're reading this review either you somehow stumbled upon this microphone with a randomly specific Amazon search, or you know exactly what this mic can do. It's a tube microphone, with a richness that only real Soviet vacuum tubes can bring. Mind you, it comes with a Chinese vacuum tube. Not the same. But the best part is the search bar is just up there and all you need to do is add this to your cart: search for a classic Russian 12AX7 or 12AY7 vacuum tube to drop in (it's easy, wear clean cotton gloves, handle with care) and this $250 dollar Chinese microphone becomes the Pride of the Soviet Empire in recording. With all seriousness, while vacuum tubes went out of style in the West, the Russians still make them and they are good. Really good. This mic and a $30 tube turns it into a $1000 mic. If you want to go "crazy go nuts" you can swap individual components of this mic and turn it into a $10,000 mic for another $250. That's a lot of rubles of savings!. But, like I said, if you're reading this, you already know how amazing this mic is. Buy it and your Russian tube and make sweet, sweet music together.

For the money, these are edgy Chinese mics, but you can mod them and they are GREAT. New high performance tube, replace capsule and rewire power supply to correct spec will give you a really good (almost great) mic for under $500, But only three stars in their purchased condition. I have and use Teles, Neumans, and AKGs all costing 10k and up and a fully modded one of these will compare admirably! If you don't want to mod yourself, contact Advanced Audio Microphones in Canada and have Scotty mod you a winner!

It sounds nice so far. Typically warm tube sound. I have not done any critical recordings yet. I will try to update once I do.

It's a decent mic but it'll take more than a tube swap to make it perform like a Telefunken. OTOH unless you have a great sounding room to record in you probably won't hear the difference anyway.