Improving on Perfection

The Universal Audio Bock 251 is David Bock’s take on the historic large-diaphragm tube condenser, which is regarded by legions of audio pros as the greatest microphone ever produced. But how do you improve upon perfection? Manufacturing procedures throughout the 1950s and 1960s lacked the precision tolerances that today’s goods benefit from. As a result, no two antique microphones sounded the same when they were first manufactured, let alone after decades of (ab)use. The UA Bock 251 microphone is a painstaking re-creation of a high-quality original instrument found after a worldwide search. Bock’s work, however, is not a mere clone.

Upgraded components

The Bock 251 features an improved structural design with cutting-edge replica components to provide constant performance and rock-solid durability. It, like the original, offers switchable cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 polar patterns, but its unique transformer is designed to provide longer frequency response and more generous headroom. The Universal Audio Bock 251 is an ultra-premium microphone that performs beautifully on voices and instruments of all sorts. It comes with a heavy-duty external power source, a connecting cable, a shock mount, a trademark wooden storage box, and vintage-style luggage. It will undoubtedly be the crown jewel of your mic locker.

Inspired design by a professional designer

David Bock is well-known among professional audio engineers and studio owners. Bock honed his expertise as chief technical engineer in major studios in the 1980s and 1990s, including Hyde Street, The Hit Factory, and Ocean Way. Naturally, these world-class facilities had significant collections of desired vintage microphones, and David’s job was keeping them all in excellent working order. This resulted in a thorough grasp of how these microphones functioned and why they sounded the way they did, ultimately leading to the next stage of David’s career. While working at Soundelux Studios in Hollywood, Bock became interested in microphone design. David was inspired by the idea of incorporating the desired acoustic features of antique microphones into new designs that took use of current manufacturing accuracy, and he was responsible for several famous microphones, including the Soundelux 251, E47, and E49. Building on his success at Soundelux, he established Bock Audio in 2007. In 2020, David Bock’s creative creativity combined with Universal Audio’s production expertise, where David works as a senior product engineer.

Another Bock contemporary classic

At UA, Bock microphones are made the same way they have always been. These precise recording instruments are handcrafted in small quantities utilising one-of-a-kind, high-end components, with a sound aim in mind rather than a pricing point. This is what microphone manufacture looked like during the Golden Age of Analogue, and the method is credited with the long-lasting sound superiority of beloved antique microphones, some of which are still in use today. However, because of Universal Audio’s immense resources, Bock microphones also benefit from cutting-edge manufacturing procedures that provide a degree of accuracy previously inconceivable. Bock’s exclusive all-brass capsules are hand manufactured and hand tensioned to high standards, and they use strong 6-micron diaphragms for a stunningly clear sound with no trace of artificial brightness. Bock-designed multi-sectioned transformers produce a deeper and smoother bottom end than other manufacturing mics. Bock’s standalone audio amplifiers benefit from old-school inductor-based power supply, which provides a robust dynamic range and boosts tube longevity. It all adds up to a collection of modern classic mics that are needed in today’s well-appointed mic locker. Look forward to more fascinating new microphone designs from David Bock and UA in the next years!

Universal Audio Bock 251 Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone Features:

• Re-creating a legendary microphone from the Golden Age of Analogue
• Proprietary all-brass C12 capsule
• switchable cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 polar patterns.
• The custom transformer provides extended frequency response and substantial headroom.
• Inductor-based power supply improves dynamic range and tube longevity.
• Includes power supply, 20-foot cable, shock mount, unique wooden storage box, and vintage-style suitcase