ADK announced on their forums yesterday that they would be releasing MKII models of the Vienna and Hamburg microphones in April 2005. The original Vienna and Hamburg will remain on the market as well.
Starting in April, Vienna and Hamburg Editions will be available in Two Versions (I and II).
The Vienna and Hamburg are both gaining a groundswell of recognition from the people who really run ADK - that is to say the Musicians and Recording Engineers that take the time to be part of our beta and gamma field testers.
So what's up with the VIENNA II and HAMBURG II ?? Our Golden Ears said they Loved the Tone of the V-1 and H-1, but Didn't care so much for the PAD.
They wanted a Two-Way Pad. What Mick Conley and Ronnie Brookshire and Terry Howard want, is what we intend to give them! ADK's Core Mission: to Listen!
When More Dynamic Range is needed:
Higher SPL, Lower Self Noise, and Wider Dynamic Range -
That's the litmus test for Version II.
Is it worth the extra dough for this upgrade? Vote with your Pocketbook, and be guided by your application-needs. Singers and Acoustic Guitar Players may never care about it. Symphony Orchestra Recordists and Rock Drummers and Electric Guitarists Will. It's specific to Your Applications!
We intend to continue to deliver the V-1 and H-1 in Value-Priced Packaging.
ADK will deliver the V-2 and H-2 in Value-Added Packaging with Premium Hardware.
ADK Microphone designer, JP Gerard, added:
Some technical notes on the MKII...
The most important difference is that the new MKII version uses a different FET which I much prefer: it sounds tighter on top and bottom and makes it possible to obtain perfectly silent operation with a capacitive pad engaged.
The dynamic range is a little bit different, and the MKII has a different saturation characteristic (diferent FET, different bias) and the two way pad of the MKII gives the user more flexibility.
The two way HPF is another advantage, now you can compensate for proximity effect for distance of about a foot - foot and a half, and also for really close mic'ing at less than a foot. Minimal LF shelving form your favourite EQ will take care of the rest...
The new bodies are definitely an improvement for those of us who are picky about details... the cylindrical shape also means that they can be hung upside down using a shockmount without fear of the mic slowly sliding out of it.
Finally, the Vienna MKII is a little bit more open, and the Hamburg MKII a bit softer on top, they both have very smooth frequency responses with deeper yet tighter low end - compared to MKI.
