ADK Microphones A-51s

The ADK A51 is a condenser microphone that is pressure gradient. It has a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a switchable low frequency cut off at 100 Hz. I have had several encounters with this microphone over the years and it has never given me a bad experience. I have used it with acoustic guitars, vocals and even some fretted instrumentals. I have seen heard it used with some reed or woodwind instruments too from other musicians.

OVERALL OPINION

The ADK A51 is built to last through some drops and accidental falls. It has a solid construction and a well made heavy duty mesh grill. The outside finish of the microphone is scratch resistant because of the finish that is on it so even if it is dropped it will not scratch.
The sound that I was able to get with this microphone was very good, especially with acoustic guitars because it projected the sound exactly as it sounded. It did not add any color to the sound; it was very clear and crisp. I like how it sounded with an acoustic guitar much better than the way it sounded with voice. It does not sound bad with voices depending on the natural tone and warmth of your voice. The A 51 sounded great on a female vocalist’s voice that was using it during a session at a small studio but when using it on my voice it just didn’t sound as crisp and clear so I ended up asking for a different microphone to use for my vocals. This mic is very affordable and can be used in multiple situations. I have used it about a total of 10 or more times and each time I use an acoustic guitar with it I am very satisfied. But I will no longer request this microphone to record my vocals with.

I've been seriously recording music for the last 7 years and messing around with recording on old 4 tracks for many years before that. I purchased a pair of ADK Microphones to use on snare since I've read so many times that the ADK Microphones was used to record snare on so many classic albums. Somehow, against all odds, I've managed to never use a this mic in my lifetime. I used SM58's for live vocals many times (I never cared for the muddiness) and the beta58 which was not a match for my vocals at all. Because of these experiences, I never really wanted to buy ADK microphones. The only other ADK mic that I own is an B44 which is an absolutely fantastic mic in every regard.


OVERALL OPINION

I hooked it up to a very clear, neutral, and natural pre (focusrite isa) so I could just hear the response of the mic. I tried some vocals first and wow! I recognized the classic sound immediately from old albums. The ADK A51 rolls off the unusable lows but retains warmth, it has an unbelievably SMOOTH and musical midrange, and the highs are smooth and present without making your ears feel like they are being stabbed by large daggers (like every cheap Chinese condenser I've ever heard). Honestly, the ADK A51 fits my vocals better than the majority of the far more expensive mics that I own. I'm not knocking Neumann because they obviously make fantastic microphones, but I'd rather use the ADK A51 for vocals than my TLM103. Does it matter that the specs on the ADK A51 are less impressive the TLM103, nope. it only matters how the mic handles the task that you throw at it. The ADK A51 chops off more lows and highs, but it sure does sound good doing it. Next I grabbed an old Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic and started strumming away. The mic was 12 to 18 inches away and pointed in the vicinity of the 12th fret again, I immediately recognized this sound from classic albums. Great Mic at a great price check out the ADK A51.