The 017 FET condenser represents the modern embodiment of the big, classic sound so highly prized in vintage microphones. Hand-machined and tensioned capsules – all Soyuz microphones are, like the finest musical instruments and works of art, completely handmade and enable detail to be captured with stunning depth, warmth, and a silky transparence in the upper frequencies. These sonic characteristics, inherent to the 017’s design, allow it to complement the subtle nuances of vocals and strings while accurately capturing complex instruments with difficult transients across the entire frequency spectrum.

The 017 FET features a cardioid capsule with a gold-sputtered, hand-tuned 34mm diaphragm; an omni-directional capsule is currently available, with additional patterns in development. As with all Soyuz microphones, the 017 TUBE is completely handmade: bodies and capsules are manually machined, transformers are wound in-house, and all wiring is true point-to-point.

The 017 FET has quickly become the go-to vocal microphone of such artists as Coldplay, Radiohead, Shawn Mendes, the Lumineers, and Paramore, among others. Well-known producers and engineers who have adopted it include Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Paul McCartney, Beck), Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Lumineers, Lady Gaga), Sylvia Massy (Prince, Johnny Cash), and Butch Walker (Pink, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne) and many more.

The engineers at Soyuz have spent decades studying, servicing, and building classic microphones; this unique pool of knowledge, craft and skill – combined with the ears of numerous musicians, producers and audio engineers – has culminated in the creation of the 017 Series’ custom S17 capsule. Featuring a gold-sputtered, hand-tuned 34mm diaphragm, the S17 is loosely based on the original K67 capsule developed in 1960. Far from creating another clone of a classic, however, Soyuz has further developed the design, modifying its assembly and tuning. The result, when paired with Soyuz’s original schematic, is unique – and uniquely musical.

The 017 Series is comprised of FET (field effect transistor) and tube (valve) powered models. Though the FET and Tube models are similar – the two share identical capsules, form factors, and sonic signatures – there are subtle differences between them. The 017 FET captures transients with a somewhat faster, tighter response; the 017 TUBE’s smoother, rounded top-end is perfect for sources requiring warmth with slightly more coloration.