The IRPA MK14 is a Soviet stereo multi-pattern large diaphragm tube condenser from 1970, built only in that year. This is one of fifty such mics developed and manufactured by the Popov Institute (IRPA) in Leningrad. It is a stereo version of one of our favorite tube mics of all time, the IRPA/Oktava MK13, using two of the same double-sided M7-style capsules, two 6S31B subminiature tubes, and the same amplifier circuit and output transformer per capsule. The bottom capsule is fixed while the top capsule can be rotated a full 360 degrees relative to the bottom using a dial at the top of the microphone. Each capsule’s polar pattern can be individually set to cardioid, omni, or figure-8 via rotary 3-way switches on the BP-43 PSU. The combination of capsule angle and individual polar pattern selection for each capsule allows for a variety of applications ranging from M/S stereo work, X/Y, or using both capsules together for wider pattern control of a mono source. The top half of the mic attaches to the bottom half via a keyed multi-pin connector, suggesting that they may have had plans to provide different capsule types/configurations for the amplifiers.
This is an absolutely brilliant sounding microphone with low noise floor and high SPL handling capabilities which makes it well-suited for any application you can think of: stereo room mic, stereo overhead, vocals, guitars, acoustic instruments, horns, piano, ensembles, and beyond. After 15 years of assuming that this microphone’s existence was nothing short of a legend or a myth, we discovered that Larry Devivo had one at his studio, which he eventually sold it to us after bugging him incessantly for five years straight.
