Nordic Audio Labs NU-100K

Nordic Audio Labs NU-100K – Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone with FloFET Technology

The NU-100K is a hand-built, large-diaphragm multi-pattern condenser microphone from Finnish manufacturer Nordic Audio Labs, designed by CEO and head engineer Martin Kantola. The current version introduces the proprietary FloFET circuit – a solid-state topology engineered to produce the warmth, glow, and harmonic dimensionality associated with tube microphones, without requiring tubes, transformers, or an external power supply. Standard 48V phantom power is all it takes. At the core is the D100K capsule: a 30mm edge-terminated design with an aluminium diaphragm, delivering the off-axis smoothness and transient accuracy that makes the mic perform well far beyond standard cardioid vocal work.

FloFET: Tube Character Without the Infrastructure

FloFET is Nordic Audio Labs' proprietary transistor circuit that replicates the saturation and tonal colouration mechanisms of classic tube designs while retaining the consistency of solid-state operation. There is no warm-up period, no gain drift over time, and no sensitivity to ambient temperature changes – common liabilities of genuine tube circuits. The figure-8 polar pattern has been specifically voiced to deliver ribbon-like tonal qualities: a dense midrange and a controlled top end that avoids the edge that capacitor microphones can exhibit on sibilants and transients. The cardioid and omnidirectional patterns complete a set that handles stereo recording techniques, room acoustics, and close-miked instruments without swapping mics.

D100K Capsule and Off-Axis Performance

The 30mm D100K aluminium-diaphragm capsule uses edge-terminated mounting geometry to achieve an off-axis response that remains phase-coherent and tonally consistent well away from the primary axis. This matters in practice when the mic is used in stereo pairs (AB, XY, Mid-Side), when recording instruments in natural acoustics, or when bleed from adjacent sources needs to translate musically rather than as artefacts. Sensitivity of 31 mV/Pa and a self-noise floor of 13 dB(A) position the NU-100K in the upper tier of studio condensers. The 137 dB(A) SPL ceiling at 1% THD with a 6kΩ load gives sufficient headroom for close-miking drums, brass, and amplifiers without capsule overload. Available in three finishes: Black/Black, Grey/Gold, and Gold/Gold.

KEY FEATURES

• FloFET technology – tube-like warmth and dimension, no tubes or transformers, runs on 48V phantom
• Proprietary D100K capsule – 30mm, edge-terminated, aluminium diaphragm
• 3 polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8 (ribbon-voiced)
• Exceptional off-axis phase coherence and tonal consistency
• Self-noise: 13 dB(A)
• Sensitivity: 31 mV/Pa (-30.2 dBV)
• Max SPL: 137 dB(A) at 1% THD (6kΩ load)
• Output impedance: 22 Ω
• Hand-built in Finland
• Available in 3 colour variants

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: large-diaphragm multi-pattern condenser
• Capsule: D100K, 30mm, edge-terminated, aluminium diaphragm
• Circuit: FloFET (solid-state, transformerless, no tubes)
• Polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8
• Sensitivity: 31 mV/Pa (-30.2 dBV)
• Self-noise: 13 dB(A)
• Max SPL: 137 dB(A) @ 1% THD, 6kΩ load
• Output impedance: 22 Ω
• Phantom power: 48V, 5.3 mA
• Dimensions: 192.5 mm x 38 mm
• Weight: 395 g
• Finishes: Black/Black, Grey/Gold, Gold/Gold