| MIX VERDICT: Neumann M 49 V Microphone |
| THE TAKEAWAY: “For those who’ve wished to get a very up to date traditional tube condenser microphone, now is likely to be the time! Tremendous-highly really useful!” |
| COMPANY: Neumann • www.en-de.neumann.com PRICE: $8,499 MSRP PROS: • Superior female and male vocal microphone. CONS: • Connecting cable appears delicate. • No shock mount basket provided as but. |
The primary prototype Neumann M 49 microphones had been made in 1949 for NWDR—Northwest German Broadcast—and badged as B-M 49. The remotely managed M 49 was an prompt hit when it was first launched and shipped in 1951; it was the primary studio microphone to have a repeatedly variable polar sample and, to today, continues to be wanted by engineers and producers.
The notable revisions of the primary M 49 had been referred to as the M 49 B and C, with the printed variations labeled M 249 B and M 249 C. M 49 microphones are thought of top-of-the-line condenser fashions for female and male vocalists. Costs for unique, pristine, working examples promote for greater than $15,000. The brand new M 49 V makes use of the identical circuit because the M 49 C.
Every mic is hand-built to the unique specs and design paperwork from the Georg Neumann archives by the three Neumann staff skilled and certified to assemble the reissue, which signifies that there will probably be a restricted variety of M 49 V microphones produced every month.
The unique M 49 used the identical traditional M7 large-diaphragm capsule because the one deployed within the (cheaper on the time) Neumann U 47. The M7 capsule has PVC diaphragms and was later changed by the extra sturdy Ok 49 capsule. The middle-terminated, dual-diaphragm Ok 49 capsule is gold-sputtered Mylar with an out of doors diameter of 34 mm and a free working diameter of 26 mm. The thickness of the 2 diaphragms is just not specified.
The M 49 V makes use of the identical RF-proof, 7-pin Tuchel connector set as the printed model M 249, although Neumann reviews that there will probably be no separate broadcast variant: “We kept away from including full ‘modern-day’ EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) safety measures, as this is able to not be in keeping with traditional design, and (we’re) relying on that the M 49 V will probably be utilized in ‘managed environments.’”
NEW TUBE AND POWER SUPPLY
The M 49 V makes use of a brand new pre-selected triode tube (Neumann has declined to reveal its sort) to exchange the no-longer-manufactured MSC2/AC701K Telefunken tube used within the unique. The excellent news is that the brand new tube sort permits the M 49 V to have decrease self-noise than the traditional M 49. Most SPL is 125 dB (there isn’t a pad change), S/N ratio is 74 dB, and sensitivity is measured at 8 mV/Pa.
The brand new tube requires 6.3 volts for the filament as in comparison with the Hiller MSC2 and later the Telefunken AC701k at 4.2 volts. This necessitated a brand new energy provide referred to as the NM V. The earlier N 52 or NN 48 energy provides won’t work correctly with the M 49 V. Connecting the brand new mic with an previous N 52/NN 48 will seem to work at first, however the under-heated filament will trigger a really excessive noise flooring and isn’t really useful.
I discovered it attention-grabbing that the brand new NM V provide powers up with 4.2 volts filament voltage after which “ramps up” to alter to six.3V when a brand new M 49 V mic is mechanically acknowledged—this gradual filament heating ought to assist the tube to last more earlier than substitute.
It’s attainable to energy any classic M49 or M249 with the brand new NM V with out damaging the MSC2/AC701 tube inside from extreme filament voltage. The NM V is a linear energy provide, not a switch-mode mannequin, and mechanically adapts to 110 VAC or 230 VAC mains.
The brand new energy provide has a smooth-operating polar sample management knob for repeatedly various between 5 totally different decisions. These are: figure-of-8 bidirectional with deep facet nulls at full CW; a sub-cardioid mode with broad rear lobes; a cardioid with rear null; a large and broad cardioid; and omnidirectional at full counter-clockwise. Frequency responses and polar plots are listed for every of the 5 modes and proven within the guide.
OTHER CHANGES
In line with the traditional design, the identical circuit and the identical BV 11 output transformer wound to the unique specs are used as within the Neumann M 49 C. The primary M 49s had an amplifier frequency response nicely down into the infrasonic vary, however to guard the output transformer (from overloading and distortion) and likewise for sensible causes, a broadcast LF roll-off was added, beginning at -2.3 dB @ 30 Hz as much as -3 dB @ 40 Hz.
The M 49 V comes with the M 49 C’s first-order highpass filter set to 30 Hz, however there’s an inside change (S4) to alter that to 12 Hz for prolonged low-frequency response and a really slight enhance of distortion. A second inside change (S2) locks the polar sample to cardioid-only, like the unique M 49, and on the identical time will increase sensitivity by 2 dB; a 3 dB enhance in signal-to-noise ratio and self-noise is about 1 dB decrease.
Nonetheless, these two switches aren’t user-changeable. In case your workflow is voice-over or overhead pickup solely, you may think about ordering the mic in cardioid-only. Every thing is identical in cardioid-only, and you could have the mic transformed again to multi-pattern by Neumann.
(To alter the settings of the inner switches, it is best to contact Neumann Service. If an unauthorized buyer opens an M 49 V to alter the switches, or touches the diaphragm and damages it, this isn’t lined by the guarantee.)
The M 49 V is available in a cloth-covered wood attaché model case that accommodates the microphone, gimbal model MZ 49A elastic holder, 10-meter (32-feet) KC 5 cable, and EU, UK and USA AC mains cables.
As delivered, I discovered the KC 5 cable a tangled mess. I attempted the M 49 V on many sources, and I needed to be cautious the place I laid down the connecting cable as it’s of a small diameter and seemingly fragile, and may very well be simply minimize by a cartage case rolling over it. I additionally thought there must be a shock mount “basket” accent provided with this mic. The yoke mount’s rubber spacers on both facet of the mic physique are shock absorbers.
IN THE STUDIO
My first use for the M 49 V was a male vocal session. I had been utilizing my home commonplace mic I do know very nicely, David Bock’s U195 condenser. I used an identical Sundown Sound S1P “Tutti” mic preamps each set to about 35 dB of achieve for softer singing shut in on each mics.
Each of those mics have giant, dual-diaphragm, center-terminated capsules and huge output transformers, however similarities finish there, because the U195 makes use of an FET circuit and is cardioid-only.
The M 49 V had a barely wider pickup sample with a bit extra of the room tone captured. On this singer, I heard a bit extra backside finish—we used the identical working distance on each mics.
Actual-World Overview: Avid MBox Studio and Avid Carbon Pre
Evaluating the brand new M 49 V with an M 49 A was attention-grabbing. The 70-year previous M 49 A got here with a “V” yoke mount, however had no modifications and used a European Telefunken energy provide that ran on 240 VAC. It in contrast nicely to the brand new M 49 V, as I discovered the previous A had barely extra output stage (the brand new M 49 V delivered in cardioid-only additionally has extra output) however much less low-frequency vitality, extra self-noise and a barely “muddy” sound. The brand new M 49 V was useless quiet, and the low-frequency response was correct.
Wonderful makes use of for the M 49 V embody orchestral brass in omnidirectional sample and acoustic upright bass in cardioid about 18 inches out from the “F” gap—relying on the participant, you’ll be able to angle the mic towards the bridge in case you want extra assault. Total orchestra pickup in omni works nice, however some experimentation with the mic’s actual placement is required.
FEMALE VOCALS!
In fact, feminine vocals sounded wonderful! I want singers very near the mic, and the M 49 V in cardioid appeared so as to add simply the correct quantity of thickness within the low-midrange frequencies however was not excessively brilliant and sibilant. My feminine singer might get proper up on the mic and sing at any quantity, although you will have a windscreen/pop filter.
Throughout that session, I in contrast the M 49 V to a Telefunken U47 with M7 capsule and a Sony C-800G—all in cardioid sample. I used three API 312V mic preamps, with the Sony placing out extra stage and the Telefunken and M 49 V about the identical. Usually, the Sony appeared skinny within the low-midrange by comparability and appeared a bit brilliant—it additionally appeared to “pop” extra readily than the others. That midrange “bark” you get with the Telefunken was additionally there within the M 49 V, simply not as pronounced. I believed the M 49 V was general smoother and extra even-sounding, with no peaks from this explicit singer.
The Neumann M 49 V is a wonderful addition to each the corporate’s microphone line and its legacy. For those who’ve wished to get a very up to date traditional tube condenser microphone, now is likely to be the time! Tremendous-highly really useful!
