Broadcast Microphones - TransAudio Group

We at TransAmerica know that for the expert user choosing a microphone is an investment, not a spur of the moment purchase. The current state of microphone building is sad, focused on cheaper and cheaper components inside fancier and fancier packaging. We recently saw a promo in a store for a tube mic with a tube preamp for $199! Embarrassing! Finding investment grade mics that perform over time in this confusing mess is a challenge, so we search the world market looking for mics that we know will survive the test of time-outliving delivery mediums, studios, even the owner! We listen to test results from Professional Audio's elite to tell us if we found it. Our goal is to deliver microphones that are extraordinary by all counts, increase in their usefulness over time, and become an essential tool that's useful for your entire career in audio.

Applicable brands:

BOCK AUDIO
SOUNDFIELD

Bock Audio Design Microphones

David Bock made a name for himself working as a tech in some of the most famous studios in the US, like Hit Factory and Oceanway. A big part of his job was repairing vintage mics over and over again, and making "this U47" sound like "that U47" when the client demanded it-tough job! He knows mics inside and out, and users his ears. So who better to create "New" vintage mics? When we met David he was building the ELUX 251, and a slew of other mics like the U95S. Since then, he has stared Bock Audio Designs and David's only getting started. The real idea behind Bock Audio is to recreate the entire "ideal" mic closet that was demanded at those famous studios. David has a talent, designing "to a sound", rather than building something and trying to convince you to like it. We are very proud of David's work, unique among manufacturers!

251

" If I close my eyes I have to feel like that instrument or that singer is in front of me in as pure form as possible and I've discovered the ELUX 251 gives me just that."
Oliver Lieber

Modeled after the best of the original ELAM251s, perhaps the most sought after vintage mic ever, the S251 offers the same variable pattern and remote power supply as the original. In the omni, the mic has an incredibly "transparent" sound and is ideal for distant micing. In cardioid you can get that famous character that so many hit records have depended upon for vocals. A little more high end than the original, we all feel this is the perfect compromise between exact 251 sound and what it could have sounded like if it were built today by the original manufacturer.

Insider's say:
Don't buy the vintage versions, save your money for a selection other mics and get the ELUX.

151

One of the most popular Bock Audio microphones, the 251, is loved for the amazing sonic recreation of the legendary ELA M251. This uniquely high level of performance could not be found for under $5500 until now, until the new 151.

Starting with the same German ELUX capsule and basic circuit design, the Bock Audio goal was to preserve as much of the 251 cardioid sound as possible. Additionally, the 151 has a "brite/normal" switch which allows for standard 251 type high frequency response or a relaxed high frequency response, essentially making this two mics in one! Furthermore, the 151's output transformer has been selected to duplicate the intense deep bass of the 251 but roll off the LF sooner (30Hz instead of 10Hz) making this mic friendlier to a wider variety of recording rooms.

Using a less expensive body and headgrille assembly and a power supply that has only one pattern, Bock Audiorealized significant savings over the standard 251 manufacturing cost. Like the 251, the 151 microphone has the important quality of a high frequency response that is not only present, but natural. This allows vocals to sound naturally dominant without being overbearing, to come forward without being obtrusive. It transforms the most intimate details of a vocal, maintaining its clarity even under stressful vocal situations, and doesn't fold or get harsh as the singer's intensity increases. The "brite/normal" switch adds to its versatility without sacrificing clarity. The 251 has been the most used vocal mic for decades and the 151 puts this sound in reach of a greater number of engineers and artists.

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195

The 195 is one of David's most popular mics. As a FET mic, it is well suited to budget minded as an ideal vocal mic and the more advanced as a very flexible color mic. Hard to characterize, some think it sounds like aFET47 in the lower frequencies and the 87FET in the higher frequencies. With an onboard FAT switch and LOW cut switch, this mic can do a lot things in your room very well.

Insider's say:
You may own a lot of mics, but this is useful no matter what you own!

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ST350 Portable Soundfield Mic

The new portable ST350 offers SoundField’s unique technology in a miniaturised package which can be powered by either mains or battery.
Dispensing with the compromises associated with portable recording the ST350 system consists of a lightweight multi-capsule microphone and fully featured compact mic-pre/control unit that generates surround and stereo simultaneously at balanced line levels.
The ST350 has been designed from the ground up and is the result of a long R & D programme incorporating feedback from recordists, broadcasters and SoundField users. The new microphone electronics are capable of driving long cable runs enabling the microphone to be positioned hundreds of metres away from its control unit or alternatively hand held on a short boom.
Control features include high performance mic-pre’s with discretely switched 6dB gain steps and composite 5-segment LED bargraph for level monitoring. Continuously variable control is offered over the stereo Polar Patterns from omni through to cardioid to figure-of-eight and a Width control provides everything from mono to wide image stereo. End Fire and Invert controls are provided to correct for three-dimensional microphone positioning whilst still maintaining the correct stereo and surround perspective. Other features include Hi-Pass filtering to reduce rumble/wind noise, switchable M/S output and headphone monitoring.
The ST350 can be used in conjunction with the SoundField Surround Zone software to offer a complete recording and post-production package. Surround Zone is now available on the Digidesign Pro Tools, Steinberg Nuendo and SADiE platforms.
Sales Director, Ken Giles, comments, “We have taken on board the requests from the market for a more compact and portable SoundField system - the new ST350 is less than half the size and weight of the other microphones in our current range."

Call for details!