Soyuz Silver 17: a 017 series tube mic with a new 34mm capsule

Soyuz has added the Silver 17 to its flagship 017 series. The series consists of condenser microphones with interchangeable lollipop-style capsules, so the sound and pickup pattern can be changed without replacing the microphone body.

Where the design comes from

The Silver 17 is based on the 19A18, a tube microphone that the Leningrad Optical Mechanical Association (LOMO) built during the 1960s. Only about 300 units of it were produced, and Soyuz chose to build a new microphone around its character rather than leave the design forgotten. Soyuz developed a new edge-terminated capsule, the S17E, whose behaviour is similar to the M7-style capsule used in the 19A18.

The S17E capsule

The S17E has a 34 mm gold-sputtered diaphragm and is hand-machined at the Soyuz facility. To fit it, the company reworked the 017 TUBE: the backplate mechanics, acoustic resistance and diaphragm tension all differ from other models in the series.

Compared with the other 017 microphones, the Silver 17 is voiced brighter and more open in the top end, while keeping the full lower midrange of the original 19A18, so it is not a straight copy of the vintage model. Its high-frequency response is described as smooth and polished. It is pitched at modern pop vocals and other recordings where a natural sound is wanted, as well as at instruments. The new capsule and reworked body give it a balance of colouration and enhancement across the frequency range and a voice of its own within the 017 family.

The Silver 17 is available for pre-order at about $4,890 or €5,199, with shipping expected the month after the announcement.