IRPA/LOMO/Oktava ML-18 (1966, n4) - Soviet Dual-Ribbon Microphone (Soviet RCA BK10)

This is an extraordinarily rare and fully functional 1966 IRPA ML18, one of the only known working examples of its kind. It comes directly from Russian Recording’s working mic locker, where it has been used on countless records and meticulously maintained for peak studio performance.

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IRPA ML18 (1966)
Dual-ribbon hyper-directional Soviet microphone, fully original and restored

If you like them Soviet and rare, this 1966 IRPA ML18 should satisfy your appetite. Built by the Popov Institute, fewer than twenty of these dual-ribbon microphones were ever produced. It was the Soviet answer to one of RCA’s rarest designs, the BK10a, also known as the Perry Como microphone, of which only seventy-five were made.

The ML18 uses two directional ribbon motors mounted back-to-back inside one housing. This configuration increases signal-to-noise ratio and narrows the pickup field, giving it the focus of a shotgun mic but with the tonal richness and smoothness of a ribbon. The result is a hyper-directional ribbon microphone intended for boom and broadcast use.

Though originally designed for film and broadcast, the ML18 also excels in the studio. Its narrow pickup pattern makes it ideal for close mic'ing drums where isolation from cymbal bleed, ambience, and other drums is desired, or as a focused distant kit or kick drum mic. It captures detail and tone with the classic character of a ribbon while maintaining tight off-axis rejection rarely found in this type of design.

This example is from our SAAS Vintage Museum collection and is an exceptional, fully original specimen complete with its built-in cradle mount. It was re-ribboned by Ulrigg Microphones, functions perfectly, and exhibits the model’s naturally improved signal-to-noise performance.

Only a handful of these exist, and this is one of the finest surviving examples known. Audio samples are available upon request.

Included:
• 1966 IRPA ML18 Microphone
• Original built-in cradle mount

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SERVICE AND BACKGROUND

This microphone has been fully serviced, inspected, tested, and verified to perform to original specifications.

At Russian Recording and Soviet American Audio Systems (SAAS Vintage), we specialize in sourcing, restoring, and preserving rare and obscure recording equipment from the Soviet Union, Japan, and beyond. Every microphone is bench-tested before shipping, and every stage of packing is photographed for transparency and documentation.

With over two decades of experience researching and restoring hundreds of rare microphones, Mike Bridavsky founded Soviet American Audio Systems (SAAS) to provide accurate information and make reliable, functional examples of historically important microphones available to other engineers.

Soviet American Audio Systems (SAAS Vintage) and Russian Recording have supplied restored and hard-to-find equipment to engineers and artists worldwide, including Sylvia Massy, John Congleton, Ben Baptie, Jonathan Rado, Sufjan Stevens, Kenny Beats, Wayne Sermon (Imagine Dragons), D.A. Got That Dope, and others.

We can provide detailed photos, audio samples, or video demonstrations upon request and are happy to answer any technical questions in full detail.

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SHIPPING
• Domestic U.S. shipping included.
• International shipping calculated by destination.
• All international shipments declared at full value; buyer pays duties and taxes.

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CONDITION AND POLICY

These are vintage microphones, typically between 30 and 80 years old. Although serviced and tested for full functionality, all vintage equipment will eventually require maintenance.

All sales are final unless the microphone is non-functional within three days of delivery.

Ships securely from Russian Recording in Bloomington, Indiana.