LOMO 19a13

The LOMO 19a13 is a Soviet large diaphragm tube condenser microphone. It uses a single-sided edge-terminated gold-sputtered diaphragm (similar in design to an AKG CK12 capsule) for a cardioid polar pattern and a 6S6B subminiature tube (the same tube used in the LOMO 19a4, 19a10, 19a14, and 19a18). It uses the LOMO 20B81 PSU, which is also used with the LOMO 19a18.

From the outside, the 19a13 is unassuming and remarkably compact considering that it contains a large diaphragm capsule, tube, and output transformer inside of its little body. But if you’ve ever listened to a 19a13, you know that it sounds quite big and absolutely fantastic in any application, especially as a vocal microphone. You can hear it in action as the lead vocal mic on the song “Mary” by Major Murphy by streaming it from the audio player on this page.

Unfortunately not that many people have had the opportunity to use one because they are exceedingly hard to come by, especially in excellent original condition. This particular 19a13 is an older version from 1966, and uses a rare cradle-mount to hold the mic (later versions had hooks built into the body to be mounted into the shock mount). This 19a13 has its original capsule and sounds just perfect, with deep extended low-end and very detailed and smooth top end that only this mic can provide. Despite sharing a similar capsule design to the AKG C12, the 19a13 does not have the same ultra-extended high end that the C12 is known for, but instead has a very natural and pleasant top end that is both flattering and true to the source.