The A1 Duos are paired mics for XY or overhead recording. Their 22mm capsule, between small and medium-sized, lets them benefit from a high SNR while maintaining an extremely wide and linear bandwidth.
Equipped with a high-cut filter of 12dB/octave at 100Hz to attenuate the “sub-bass” frequencies undesirable in certain situations, the A1 Duos are incredibly effective for string, wind and percussion instruments. They are often used for drum overheads, acoustic guitars and pianos. But also for choral recordings and for capturing background ambiance in movies .
Ludovic Lanen explains:
"Its high precision and flat-frequency response allow it to replace the famous but unaffordable “German cigar,” at a far lower cost. One of the category’s leading products for pianos, strings, wind instruments, acoustic guitars, cymbals and percussions, both on stage and in the studio."
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; audio quality comes first, followed by the most competitive pricing possible.
To develop the A1 Duos, we started with a 22mm capsule and by optimising our production costs, we’re able to offer the pair of them at €129.
I’ll never tire of explaining our approach, because it's importat you don't compare our products by their prices, but by trusting your ears.
We conducted a comparison test of the A1 Duo recording mics (€129/pair) with the leading microphone models in the professional recording sector, the Neumann KM184 (~€1000), the AKG C451 (~€250) with its CK1 capsule, and the Schoeps CMC6 with its MK4 capsule (~€1400). 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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Denys Lable
Guitarist • France
"When I used an A1 to record my acoustic guitar, its performance impressed me to no end.
With the mic’s sound clarity, accuracy, and acoustic fidelity, it’s a must-have tool for stage and studio. The A1’s versatility means that it handles equally well with string instruments and vocal ensembles…
The most remarkable thing of all is that this level of quality can be bought at this price."
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Fabrice Leyni
Sound Engineer, Studio Oméga • France
" After learning about Prodipe from performers and producers at Studio Omega, I became particularly interested in the STC-3D MK2 Ludovic Lanen and the A1.
I was especially surprised by their level of quality at these prices, each mic replicates the warmth of the source, which is rare for this typology, which usually sounds too cold and tinny.
In all honesty, these mics are the best value for money and they’re already rubbing shoulders with our top-of-the-range equipment. "
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Benjamin Flament
Percussionist • France
" I use the A1s in overheads for various percussion instruments. Their versatility is enormous. The frequency response is wide with nice highs. At the end of the day, they're simple mics that get the job done at least as well as the most prestigious products on the market! "
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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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LISTEN TO THE COMPARISON TESTS OF THE A1 DUO MIC
"We’ve comparison-tested A1 Duo recording mics (€129/pair) with the leading microphone models in the professional recording sector, the Neumann KM184 (~€1000), the AKG C451 (~€250) with its CK1 capsule and the Schoeps CMC6 with its MK4 capsule (~€1400).
Ludovic Lanen invited four artist-musicians - Jean-Claude Auclin, Claude Salmiéri, Denys Lable and Alexis Salmiéri - to let you be the judge of the A1 Duos in professional recording conditions with a cello, a piano, a guitar, and drums.
Our goal isn’t to establish that one mic is better than another, but to show you and let you listen to the A1 in the recording of string instruments, a keyboard, a guitar and drums alongside some far more famous mics, with equipment that anyone can own. It’s an experience that you can easily replicate at your preferred retailer or in your studio.” Ludovic Lanen
