Recording - February 2017 - 54

BY PAUL VNUK JR.

ADK Custom
Shop Z-MOD
Z-800
A specialty voicing yields
an impressive tube mic
Over the last few years we have been making
our way through ADK's Custom Shop Z-MOD
series. This started in May 2014 with a look
at the Z-67-still my all-time favorite ADK
model-and was followed by our look at the
Z-251 in October 2015. The names make
each model's inspiration obvious; this month
we are looking at ADK's take on the most
famous modern tube-based vocal mic, the Sony C-800, as we
review the ADK Z-800. Note that unlike the other Z-MOD mics,
there is no solid-state T-FET counterpart to the Z-800.

A truly custom Custom Shop
Every model in the Z-MOD line uses the same body, capsule construction materials, head grille, and internal circuit design. Each one,
however, is expertly tuned to home in on the sound of the classic mic
being targeted. This is smart, as it keeps production and design costs
controlled while allowing for ADK's founder Larry Villella to truly put
the "custom" in Custom Shop. You can literally contact Larry and have
a mic tweaked, tuned, and customized to your personal tastes and
needs, complete with varied tube and transformer choices.
Recently ADK's options have expanded to offer each mic in
one of two packages. The Copper series includes a standard
aluminum flight case, velvet lined wooden mic box, ring-style
mic mount, shockmount, pop filter, power supply, foam windscreen, all cables, and a spare tube. This is essentially the
original stock Z-MOD package.
The newly launched Silver Series swaps out the aluminum flight
case for a large and heavy deluxe tweed case with individual
compartments and internal pouches for every included
accoutrement. This package also includes a full sampler pack of
five additional tubes that you can play with to fine-tune your sound.
ADK mics are truly a global affair, based on circuit and amplifier designs from the USA and Belgium, then built with a wide
range of globally-sourced parts: a choice of transformers made
in the UK, USA, or Sweden, top notch components like $6 Wima
capacitors and high-end resistors, and metalwork from China
(USA-made as of 2017). All of these components are assembled,
54

RECORDING FEBRUARY 2017

tuned, and tested in the company's Tacoma, WA base of operations. Buildwise, the Z-MOD mics are built tank tough.

Hi-ho Silver
All Z-MOD mics have the same 2.1" x 8.9", 1.5 lb. bodies,
but when Larry retooled his line three years ago, he made a
change from all of his mics coming in the same pewter engraved
finish. Now each mic has its own distinct vintage-flavored powder coat finish, ADK Zigma badge, and chrome-plated head
basket. Being a bit more of a modern mic than usual, the Z-800
breaks this trend slightly; the entire mic is finished in a shiny chrome
plating. Larry says the brilliant finish matches the brilliant sound.
All Z-MODs offer 9 selectable polar patterns (on the power supply)
from Figure-8 to Omni, and share many specs: 20 Hz-20 kHz frequency response, 14mV/Pa = -37 dBV (0 dBV = 1v/Pa) sensitivity,
< 250 Ω impedance, 125 dB maximum SPL level, 17 dBA noise
level, and 1 Pa: 76 dB signal-to-noise. This base model is then tuned
to the sound of the mic it emulates, with a specialized capsule and
transformer for each. With its revoiced Z-251 capsule and Lehle transformer, the Z-800 nods toward a mic that many readers wouldn't
know very well, if at all...

The Z-800
The Sony C-800 is one of the most interesting tube mics ever
made. It features three internal 6AU6 tubes, two of which are
part of its rectifier circuit, with a large external heat sink to
keep the mic regulated to the proper temperature. It has a 20
Hz-18 kHz frequency response with a very bright, forward
and clear signature favored by many performers in the R&B
and Rap genres. Did I mention it costs $11,000?
Two things to know about the Z-800: it costs $8000 less than a
C-800, and it is very top-end focused and on the bright side by design. I must confess that while I've heard, used, and been in sessions

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - February 2017