This is a very rare opportunity to own the fascinating, remarkable sounding and exceedingly rare Soviet microphone: The M.D.L.
This microphone seemingly has no manufacturer or factory name, it just says M.D.L., which stands for "Microphone. Dynamic. Ribbon.” because it is a microphone that uses a large diaphragm omnidirectional pressure-gradient dynamic capsule and a bi-directional ribbon element to achieve three different polar patterns: omni (dynamic), figure-8 (ribbon), and cardioid (the two combined). This is the same topology used in a few more well-known vintage microphones such as the Altec 639b “Birdcage”” and the STC 4033. In fact, the Soviets even had another mic that used this technology - the KINAP 10a1 (featured in a previous post). Much like the 10a1, the M.D.L. was carefully made in extraordinarily small quantities and is both better built and better sounding than the more common “mass-produced” examples made by Britain and the USA.
This particular M.D.L. does not have it’s original dynamic capsule, as it was totally blown beyond repair upon arrival. We sent it to Cole Suddarth, our most trusted dynamic and ribbon microphone repairman in the world. After gawking at this engineering marvel, Cole cleaned the ribbon motor, replaced the ribbon, and after attempting to bring the original dynamic element back to life, replaced it with an NOS Sennheiser MD409 capsule. “But that’s not an omnidirectional capsule!” you might be screaming right now. And you’re right, when air can get behind it, it’s a cardioid. But seal it up so sound only hits it from the front and you’ve got yourself an omni - just like when that hardcore singer puts their hands over the ball of a 58 causing the monitors to feedback.
Even though this mic looks like it was found in a troll’s cave on the way to Elrond’s palace or placed on the desk in Darth Vader’s library, you might think it’s just a novelty and sounds stupid. Well, you’re wrong. It sounds amazing.
