The APEX 460B is a high performance wide diaphragm vacuum tube microphone that delivers incredible versatility and tone. The APEX 460B is an outstanding choice as the main microphone for any professional studio, home studio, or any of the computer based direct to hard drive recording system.
The APEX 460B Tube Microphone is the new version of the world-renowned APEX 460 retains all of its predecessor's features, specs and time-honored reliability while adding a fresh new appearance premiered on the limited-edition APEX 460A Anniversary model. The 12AT7 tube in the APEX 460's preamp stage offers warmth and a smooth transient response not available in solid-state microphone design. The APEX 460B has nine different selectable polar patterns easily available from a selector switch on the front panel of the external power supply.
Rather than limiting the user to the three popular patterns (Omnidirectional, Cardioid, and Figure Eight pattern) most commonly available, the APEX 460B has three gradient stages between each position. This allows the studio engineer or home recordist far more versatility especially in vocal applications where an omnidirectional pattern isn't quite 'fat' enough, but cardioid is too narrow.
Due to their rugged construction, high SPL handling capability and affordable price, the APEX 460B is also an outstanding choice for live sound reinforcement or live recording. They have proven themselves as a versatile overhead microphone for drum kits, for guitar or bass cabinets where superior sound quality and high sound pressure handling is required. They are also the mic of choice for saxophones, flutes, acoustic guitars or acoustic bass where subtlety and clarity is paramount.
APEX 460B Tube Microphone Features
- Nine user-selectable polar patterns including omnidirectional, cardioid, figure eight with gradient positions between each
- True tube microphone design with dual 1-inch gold sputtered capsules
- External high voltage power supply to reduce system noise
- Unmatched warmth, character and tone
APEX 460B Tube Microphone Specifications
- Type: Tube Condenser
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Sensitivity: -37dB
- Impedance:
- Equivalent Noise Level: 20dB
- S/N: 76dB
- Max SPL: 125dB
- Power Requirement: Dedicated Power Supply (Included)
- Controls: Pattern Select Knob (On Power Supply)
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 1.8 in / 240 x 46 mm
- Weight: 29 oz / 824 g
APEX 460B Tube Microphone Includes
- APEX 460B Tube Microphone
- IMC-10 Shockmount
- Foam Windsock
- 7-pin XLR Cable
- Power Supply (ADP0006)
- Carry Case
24 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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great platform for mods
May 25th 2012I wouldn't use this microphone in its stock form, unless I was just starting out or on a tight budget, in which case the multiple patterns would make it very useful as a utility microphone. The quality control on these microphones is iffy. The first one I got had a bad tube, and the second and a BAD CAPSULE! I'm sure FEA will take care of these problems, but, I was modifying anyway so I kept them. As a modding platform, the price of this mic at FEA for what you get is phenomenal. Power supply, metal work, multiple patterns, similarity to C12 and ELAM 251 circuitry (I'll be modifying towards both). Right now I have a pair of "C12"s with peluso CEK-12 capsules from Front End Audio as well as T14-1 transformers and extensive circuit rebuilding, and I couldn't be happier with the results. It takes time, skill, and patience to pull of the rebuild and to get the tone in the right zone, but the payoff can be a top class microphone if you know what you are doing.
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APEX 460 Large Diaphragm Studio Microphone
Jan 22nd 2012I'm pleasantly surprised with the quality of this mic. I just un-boxed and mounted it in my studio, and the few vocal takes I've recorded sound quite good. So far so good with this mic. Sunday, 22 Jan 2012. Here's an update of this review: I just put a Jan GE 12AT7 tube into this mic, and after warming the tube up for a mere 5 minutes, checked out the difference in the mic's output and sound: wow, a bit less output, as expected, but a significant improvement, bass/mids/high end. The top end is significantly less harsh, really pleasant in fact. Very musical and useful recording of my own voice. Looking forward to trying it out on acoustic guitar and percussion. I have a NOS Mullard on the way, which I am very interested in trying out with this mic. I'll update this review when I've done so.
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Microfono ottimo per registrare la moce
Dec 7th 2011Non me lo aspettavo ma e un ottimo microfono da studio.
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Modders Dream mic
Sep 29th 2011Excellent mic to mod - probably the most modded mic in history!
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Great For modding
Aug 19th 2011Did a simple tube swap and removed headbasket. At a recent recording we had a girl singer choose this compared to more expensive mics such as sputnik and other pro mod'd mics. But each singer is different so im not saying this is the be all end all if mics out there. Im about having many colors in my pallette. Great sound and easy to mod.
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Apex 460
Mar 16th 2011What a Mic,Even with the chinese tube it still sounds great.Frontend audio gives you such a great deal or I should say steal.This is a great all purpose mic and it is great on vocals.A great buy.
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A great starter
Feb 17th 2011This is my first Condenser Mic. It has single handedly improved the sound of my recordings exponentially. It is great for vocals and acoustic guitars especially for the $. I use this mic in an apartment and find that the room has a bit of an echo so I'm adding some acoustic treatment to the room by building some bass traps. This mic can be modded to use tubes from other more pricey mics and emulate their sound but I haven't gone there yet.
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APEX 460
Oct 8th 2010This was my second Apex 460 from Front End Audio and was purchased to work as a pair (not matched) for recording my baby grand in a Blumlein configuration (2 figure 8s, coincident at 90 deg). I'm really happy with the service from Front End Audio, the mic and the resulting stereo image. Having a range of polar patterns, there's a few more I can tried too.
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This is the one everyone on the net talks about!
Aug 12th 2010This is the one that every mic-modder on the planet buys. There's 1000 and 1 guides on the net to turn this into everything from an AKG clone to a Neumann clone. This thing sounds pretty dang decent out of the box though... a large diaphragm tube mic for under 200 bucks, it's a no-brainer. Buy it.
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