Pricing & Availability
- MSRP: $299
- Discontinued
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S-51 Documentation
ADK S-51
Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The ADK S-51 Mk 5.2 is a side-address cardioid condenser with a large-diaphragm capsule and switchable pad and filter.
It is the next-generation A-51, a mic whose original design dates to 1998. The S-51 was originally known as the A-51 S, with the ‘S’ standing for ‘SPL.’ While the A-51 mics have always had internally switchable high-pass filters, the ‘S’ introduced a pad (-10dB) and external switches for both the pad and filter. The ‘S’ revision replaced the A-51 entirely within ADK’s product line, and was renamed the S-51.
Like the entire A-51 line, the S-51 combines a K67 capsule with a transformer-coupled circuit. We believe the mic uses a 2-stage FET amplifier in an “emitter follower” configuration, with a 2:1 output transformer, much like the MXL 2001/V67 (which were reportedly copied from the original A-51 Type II).
Recording Review, 2011
I’m buying four of these ADK S51 MK5.2s microphones. They will officially be my tom microphones, bass cabinet microphones, and serve general purposes where I need a little extra top end. I prefer my Gefell M930 or Neumann KM184 slightly on acoustic guitar depending on what I’m going for.
At $199, this thing provides a mostly neutral sound with a little bit of top end added. For a song that was more of an R&B-type thing I chose it over my Peluso 2247 short body, Peluso 251, and even the ADK TC-47AU even though all of those mics are badass.
The S-51 Mk5.2 ships with a wooden box and heavy-duty metal ring mount.
The ADK S-51 is also known as: A-51S, S51, S-51 Mk 5.2.
The mic was released in 2008.
Specifications
| Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
|---|---|
|
Cardioid
(15 mV/Pa) |
|
| Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter n/a |
200 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 140 dB Self-noise: 17.0 dB(A) |
| Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | n/a |
|
| Power Specifications |
|---|
|
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