This 1966 IRPA (aka the Popov Institute) ML-18 is one of the rarest Soviet Microphones every made less than twenty of these dual-ribbon motor microphones were ever manufactured. The ML18 is a Soviet version of one RCA’s rarest mics ever, the BK10a, also known as the Perry Como microphone, of which only 75 were ever made.
The ML18 is made up of two individual directional ribbon motors back-to-back inside of one mic, resulting in increased signal to noise ratio and increased directionality. This one has been re-ribboned and rewired by Jon Ulrigg who spent a lot of time getting this unusual mic just right.
We have another ML18 that we are keeping for the studio. That one has the original stand mount/cradle, which also has the model number and serial number engraved on it. This second one is missing it's original mount, but fits perfectly into the pictured shockmount. Otherwise it sounds identical to our other ML18.
