Z5600a II

The Z5600a II is a large-diaphragm tube condenser built around a hand-crafted 1 inch true condenser capsule, gold-sputtered mylar diaphragms, and a single 12AX7 / ECC83 valve. The tube stage is why people buy it: a thick, rich character that flatters vocals with natural warmth while holding onto detail.

A nine-position polar pattern switch runs from omni through cardioid to figure-8 with three graded steps between each, which is a level of control most condensers do not offer. That range lets you balance direct sound against room ambience by turning a dial rather than moving the mic: tighter for a dry lead vocal, wider for a choir or a live drum kit, figure-8 for two singers facing each other.

Frequency response runs 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 25 mV/Pa (-32 dBV) with 13 dB self-noise and an 81 dB signal-to-noise ratio. A switchable 50 Hz low-cut filter and -10 dB pad handle loud and heavy sources, taking max SPL to 137 dB for drum overheads, brass, and amps.

Recommended sources include vocals, drum kit, overheads, room, acoustic guitar, electric guitar cab, orchestral strings, piano, woodwinds, and brass. The mic is 220 mm long, 62 mm in diameter, and 850 g, and runs from its own power supply through the included 8-pin cable. The custom shockmount and IEC power cable are in the box, so the full tube chain is ready to set up.