"R&D” was conducted in France
by the PRODIPE team under the guidance of Ludovic Lanen.
He explains: " A Multipurpose Studio/Live/Broadcasting mic, equipped with a low-cut filter of 10dB/octave at 100Hz and a -10 dB attenuator, the ST-1 MK2 Lanen is a unidirectional electrostatic mic that will allow you to handle all types of direct recordings: vocals, percussions, guitars, piano, atmospheric, brass ... for an exceptional price.
Unlike the “entry-level” mics of other – even prestigious – brands
that use 16mm capsules, giving you a hollower sound at low and low-mid frequencies,
the ST-1 MK2 comes with a truly large 34mm capsule with a simple 1-inch gold-plated diaphragm, just like the AKG 214 or the NEUMANN TLM 103.
With PRODIPE, I knew it was possible! This brand is ceaselessly cutting out the middlemenand lowering production costs without sacrificing quality, with the result of putting professional products withing everyone’s reach.
The ST-1 MK2 measures up to the leading studio models, and it's no surprise. With a perfect reproduction of the subtleties and warmth of the recorded source, it allows you to obtain effective recordings with greater presence."
Jean-Luc MASSON, founder of Prodipe, tells us:
“ Since the creation of this brand, my sole interest has been the pursuit of quality at the best possible price.
Over 20 years ago, I visited a number of factories in China and I saw that they produced for the world’s biggest brands. After doing some digging, I met with the worldwide leader in microphone capsule manufacturing. With the exception of Schoeps and Neumann, still manufactured in Germany, the vast majority of the market’s biggest names use mic capsules produced in this factory. With the production prices I saw, I immediately knew what we could do. Professional quality at the best prices could become a commercial reality!
To achieve this, I quickly surrounded myself with the most demanding experts. Ludovic Lanen because he’s one of today’s top sound engineers, and Claude Salmiéri for his solid musical experience both in the studio and on stage. With their guidance, my development team works in unison with our Chinese sub-contractors: the pursuit of excellence first and foremost, before even looking at production costs.
We don’t set a price and then develop the product; for us, price comes after audio quality.
To develop the STC-3D MK2 and ST-1 MK2, we started with a wide 34mm capsule and by optimising our production costs, we’re able to offer them at €129 for the ST-1 MK2 and €249 for the STC-3D MK2.
We only sell these two, complementary products. I’ve always refused to a range of similar products for various prices, and for one reason: we’ve put the best into these two mics for an affordable price, that’s our only goal!
We could easily use 16mm capsules and sell products at less than €60 that stack up with other brands’ “entry-level” models. But this is neither our approach, nor our goal, and we’ve always been true to ourselves. Our mics hold their own against the best products out there.
I’ll never get tired of explaining our approach, because it's important that you don’t compare our products by their prices, but by trusting your ears. On this site you’ll find the “comparison sound tests” of our products against the best of the rest. Example : ST-1 MK2 at 129€, STC-3D MK2 at 249€, Neumann U87 at roughly 2400€. Listen and judge for yourself!
With the globalisation and circulation of know-how, a high price is no longer necessarily synonymous with quality.
Ever since the Prodipe journey began, the leading brands have had to sit up and take notice!
The world is changing, and Prodipe is evolving with it, making quality available to everyone.
But don’t take our word for it, shop around... and you’ll see the results of our commitment to you."
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Ellis Hall
Multi-Instrumentalist – Singer - Songwriter - Producer • USA
"I am truly honoured to be a part of the Prodipe family.
To try and keep it as concise as possible, because there are many adjectives I could use, let me first say that the mics have excellent response both live and in the studio. The monitors are equally impressive.
Keep up the great work."
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Georges Blumenfeld
Head of Studio Marcadet • France
"When I received the range of Prodipe mics, I immediately fell for the elegant packaging and size well suited for studio work.
But the pleasant surprises were just beginning!
When I tested them, I found that they were as good as the big brands’ models while costing far less. It’s quite simple: the quality they offer means I now use my other mics to back them up."
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Régis Ceccarelli
Drummer - Singer • France
"With my Prodipe equipment, I’ve recorded music that’s been mixed by the greatest sound engineers in the world, and guess what... I’ve never gotten anything but compliments.
What more is there to say?"