What's likely the world's best collection of vintage Soviet and made-in-Japan mics is up for sale.
Russian Recording's Mike Bridavsky has become one of the foremost experts in this corner of the recording world. Over the past few decades, he's bought, fixed, maintained, and traded just about every mic model made in the former Soviet Union and in Japan.
Now, he's selling a large portion of his mic locker to raise money for the next step in his audio journey: creating new mics and audio equipment under his new Soviet American Audio Systems (SAAS) brand.
Included in the collection are Lomos + Oktavas in perfect working order, a pre-Sony C37a prototype, and the mic (probably) used by the first human to ever enter space, Yuri Gagarin, upon his return to Earth.
Such mics have been a central element of Bridavsky's Bloomington, Indiana-based recording studio, where he's made records with some of the coolest bands in the world, like Deerhoof, Magnolia Electric Co., and The Residents. The other element is his fully rehabbed Sphere console, a classic American board that sits somewhere between the beloved API and Neve sounds.
It's these two halves of Bridavsky's sound—Soviet mics, American console—that will be brought to life in his upcoming Soviet American Audio Systems gear releases.
Watch the video to hear from Bridavsky all about the mics he's selling, and his plans for SAAS. From affordable ribbon mics to serious collector pieces, there's something for everyone in the Russian Recording shop.
Mike Bridavsky on Soviet and Japanese Mic History
Beyond the gear itself, a big part of what makes this collection so fascinating is the history behind it. In the video above, Bridavsky breaks down the world of Soviet mic factories, rare research-built models, and Japanese ribbon designs—offering a closer look at the stories, engineering, and sonic character that set these pieces apart.