IRPA/Oktava MK13m

The Oktava MK13m is a Soviet multi-pattern large diaphragm FET condenser microphone using a double-sided M7 style capsule and a solid state amplifier. This microphone might look familiar because I posted about its older brother, the MK13, a couple months ago. The Cyrillic character “m” that follows the “MK13” is actually a “t” which stands for “transistor”, meaning that this is the transistorized version of the MK13 tube mic. It uses the same capsule and the same output transformer, but with a solid state amp. Even though it’s a solid state condenser, the MK13m uses an external PSU with three push-buttons to select the microphone’s polar pattern.


Like the MK13, it is an incredibly well-made microphone using the same gorgeous sounding capsule, but what really gives this mic its distinct sound is the FET amplifier which produces fantastic saturation and compression that is incredibly musical and unlike any other mic I’ve heard. Many MK13m’s have been modified and converted to tube mics, and while that does sound wonderful (just like the MK13), I find that its original FET amplifier is a truly unique sound that makes it a favorite on everything from drums to guitar amps and vocals.