"I" Series Microphones Launches with ifet7

AES 2002 brings a new direction for Soundelux with the unveiling of an Interpretive Series of microphones, coined the "I" Series. The "I" Series enables Soundelux to combine multiple vintage recreation elements into one microphone, enabling a broader variety of product answers to vintage mic replacement.

The first offering in the "I" Series is the dual-purpose Soundelux ifet7. It is designed to handle the same applications as the vintage 47fet and 87fet microphones while also adding modern day improvements to the cherished performance and features of those classics, and is available at a price of $2,100 (MSRP). The ifet7 improves on the characteristics of its vintage counterparts increasing the applications and performance level for both vocals (87fet) and instruments (fet47).

The new ifet7 is a phantom powered FET condenser microphone that combines a German-made capsule with two sets of completely different sounding internal electronics. With the click of the "Vocal/Instrument" switch, engineers can go from the 47 (I mode) to the 87 (V mode) and back again. The ifet7 "I mode" incorporates the standard features of the vintage 47fet, retaining its essential hi-SPL input characteristics and unique instrument applications. The ifet7 "V mode" captures the sound and features of the vintage 87fet, enabling it to perform vocal functions with a color favored by many. Both V/I modes offer improvements that bring clearer high end and unsurpassed low frequency performance with a sound that is not at all boxy or band limited. Based on the same mechanical dimensions and construction as classic 1960s fet mics, the ifet7 looks like a short version of the Soundelux E47. It comes supplied with an arm for stand mounting similar to the original fet47, and an optional shock mount fully isolates the ifet7 from the stand. A wooden box enables appropriate studio storage of the mic when not in use.

True to vintage mic tradition, the ifet7 is a fully transformer coupled microphone, but offers several design improvements over vintage designs. A very large core transformer is employed to dramatically improve low frequency headroom, rivaling the best transformerless designs of today, yet retaining the "sound" of vintage mics.

"David Bock has done it again," commented Brad Lunde, president of Transamerica Audio Group. "After listening and researching modern alternative materials, David has homed in on the right combination of electronics and acoustics to capture the essence of these two all-time top studio mics while improving and fixing some of their inherent weaknesses. This little ifet7 will potentially replace two vintage mics at half the street price of the originals. With two mics in one, studios will have more options, great sound at a rather incredible price."