MTX50 Vintage Microphone
A tribute to the M50
The MTX50 is Fortin's recreation of the legendary M50 — a pure omnidirectional microphone built around a hand-made D9 capsule on a polished acrylic sphere, paired with our AC701E solid-state emulator. Handcrafted in Canada.
The Capsule
The D9 capsule, visible through the grille
The MTX50 carries the D9 capsule — Fortin’s recreation of the spherical capsule that gave the original M50 its voice. Like our D7, every D9 is hand-built in our Quebec workshop. It sits at the apex of an acrylic sphere, turned and polished locally; you can see the sphere glowing through the grille — the same visual signature as the M50.
The geometry — capsule mounted on a diffusing sphere — produces a natural high-frequency lift that depends on the angle of incidence. That’s what gives the MTX50 the open, airy character engineers reach for on wide stereo and orchestral captures.
- Hand-built D9 capsule, made in Quebec
- Locally turned and polished acrylic sphere
- Pure omnidirectional pattern — no compromises
The Emulator
AC701E — classic tube character, modern reliability
The original M50’s voice came from the AC701K, a vintage tube as rare today as the VF14 in the U47. Our AC701E solid-state emulator reproduces its tonal behavior using the same engineering principles as the VF14E in the DB7 and DB8 — the authentic sound, without the cost, the aging, or the hunt for NOS stock.
- Faithful reproduction of the AC701K tonal character
- No tubes to source, no maintenance
- Consistent performance, session after session
The Chassis
A shared chassis, a different voice
The MTX50 uses the same chassis as the MT9: aerospace-grade aluminum, hand-brazed brass, nickel-plated locally in Canada. It’s a deliberate continuity, not a compromise — the chassis is engineered for acoustic neutrality and long-term durability. What sets the MTX50 apart is what’s inside: the D9 capsule and the AC701E emulator.
Applications
Where the MTX50 belongs
- Decca Tree (classic orchestral 3-mic configuration)
- Drum overheads, room and ambient capture
- Violin, strings, and acoustic ensembles
- Piano ambience
- Room mics for choirs, churches, and concert halls
- Any situation where the air of the room matters
Matched Pair
Calibrated for true stereo imaging
Like the MT9, the MTX50 is available as a factory-matched pair — each unit hand-tested and calibrated for identical frequency response and sensitivity. Essential for true Decca Tree configurations and any spaced stereo setup where image accuracy matters.
Specifications
MTX50 — Technical Specifications
Capsule
- Type
- M9
- Acoustic Principle
- Pressure Gradient
- Polar Patterns
- Omni
Electrical
- Frequency Response
- 30 Hz – 18 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 14 mV/Pa
- Max SPL
- 125 dB
- Nominal Impedance
- 200 Ω
- Recommended Load Impedance
- 1000 Ω
- Audio Transformer
- BV11 (custom)
- Preamplifier
- AC701E Solid State Emulator
- Plate Voltage
- 120 V
- Plate Current
- ≤ 1 mA
- Heater Voltage
- 6.2 V
- Heater Current
- ≤ 200 mA
- Tube Warm-up Time
- 0 minutes
Physical
- Weight
- 790 g
- Diameter
- 80 mm
- Length
- 163 mm
- Cable
- 8 m Sommer cable
- Connectors
- Binder M25 7-pin / XLR 3F
Chassis
- Body
- Aerospace-grade aluminum and brass
- Finish
- Nickel-plated, hand-brazed in Canada
- Yoke Mount
- 100% brazed brass, nickel-plated
Power
- Power Supply
- AC 120 V
Operating Conditions
- Operating Temperature
- 0 °C to +50 °C
- Operating Humidity
- 0% to 70% RH
- Storage Temperature
- –20 °C to +75 °C
- Storage Humidity
- 0% to 90% RH
Kit Contents
MTX50 microphone, audio cable, analog power supply, 120V power cord, yoke mount, protective case, vintage carrying case.
Get Yours Today
Pure omnidirectional, made in Canada
Reach out for pricing, lead time, and matched-pair availability.