Kel Audio Debuts with HM-1 Small Condenser Microphone
October 13, 2004
Kel Audio, a new microphone company based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has introduced the HM-1, a
side address small diaphragm condenser microphone designed for home studio and stage recording.
Retailing for $99 including shipping, the compact cardioid-only mic combines a half-inch externally biased capsule with
modern surface mount electronics to produce a simple microphone free of the sharp presence peaks that characterize
many popular entry-level imports, according to the company.
"We had several non-negotiable design criteria in mind when we specified the HM-1," states Kelly Dueck, President of
Kel Audio. "First, we wanted to bring out a microphone that sounded distinctly different than the current crop of
affordable large diaphragm condenser mics. Most of those mics exhibit a 10 to 12 kHz resonance peak that's inherent in
the capsule design, so the first thing we did was eliminate the large diaphragm capsule. But unlike a lot of small diaphragm cardioids the HM-1 features full mids. It's not a bright mic and it's not supposed to be." The company's goal is to offer a sonic contrast to home recordists looking to round out their creative
palette.
The HM-1 is available exclusively from the company's web site. For more information, visit their web site at www.kelaudio.com. |