IRPA MK14

This is one of fifty such mics developed and manufactured by the Popov Institute (IRPA) in Leningrad. It is a stereo version of one of our favorite tube mics of all time, the IRPA/Oktava MK13, using two of the same double-sided M7-style capsules, two 6S31B subminiature tubes, and the same amplifier circuit and output transformer per capsule. The bottom capsule is fixed while the top capsule can be rotated a full 360 degrees relative to the bottom using a dial at the top of the microphone. Each capsule’s polar pattern can be individually set to cardioid, omni, or figure-8 via rotary 3-way switches on the BP-43 PSU. The combination of capsule angle and individual polar pattern selection for each capsule allows for a variety of applications ranging from M/S stereo work, X/Y, or using both capsules together for wider pattern control of a mono source. The top half of the mic attaches to the bottom half via a keyed multi-pin connector, suggesting that they may have had plans to provide different capsule types/configurations for the amplifiers.

This is an absolutely brilliant sounding microphone with low noise floor and high SPL handling capabilities which makes it well-suited for any application you can think of: stereo room mic, stereo overhead, vocals, guitars, acoustic instruments, horns, piano, ensembles, and beyond. After 15 years of assuming that this microphone’s existence was nothing short of a legend or a myth, we discovered that Larry Devivo had one at his studio, which he eventually sold it to us after bugging him incessantly for five years straight.