Why is there no transformer in the Neumann M149?

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by andonwego

Anybody?


...Fletcher?

Thanx for mentioning me at the head of this thread - in case you didn't get the memo - if you want to ask me something "directly" [in the public domain] you can feel free to ask on my R/E/P forum [see signature file for details].

I saw the post when it first came up and chose to ignore the question because I felt that: A) the answer was obvious, and B) it was a kinda dumbass question -- but after dealing with 5 "PM"s requesting my response - here it be...

To answer the original question - and I apologize for the brutally obvious answer - "because when they designed the mic, the design didn't include a transformer".

It ain't brain surgery.

Why they did what they did is a question for Neumann - not random forum members who had absolutely no say in the matter - it is a question for the manufacturer of the product. It is not a question for those who own or work for competing microphone manufacturing or modification companies, it is a question for the manufacturer of the product you're talking about.

The 4 pages of conjecture are [I'm sure] fun entertainment for those who have responded - but the responses are at best conjecture and at worst trying to promote a product with which the poster's are associated [without the purchase of GS advertising for that promotion].

I hope you guys have been having fun with this - apologies if the topic has wandered away from the original question [as these things seem to do when they get over 3 pages] - I haven't [nor shall I ever] read past the 1st page of the thread.

Peace.

[studio1117]

Well, let's assume you want an actual discussion here and not just to start up more GS BS. He was not simply stating that it's slightly different. The original commentor with his "really,huh? huh. well wadda ya know. " Acts as if he has some special knowledge about this, as if he knows some secret as to the Neumann changes and hints that in some way the new is nothing like the old, hence his "beam me up"
Followed by "I think he was getting at the fact that the current U87 isn't (and doesn't sound) the same microphone as the original." That's a pretty open statement and one thing I hate about some people who post in GS, the BS general statements. Really? It doesnt sound like the original? 5%, 10% 100%? because that comment in itself is pretty useless.
Yes there are minor differences, but the mic is basically the same in sound and manufacture since it's introduction.
It's not that I 100% disagree that there arent subtle differences, but people who post in here really should rope in their comments a little better. Really if you expect to add anything useful, give examples and give more meaning than "it doesnt sound like the original" Well yeah, that's true I suppose if you go to the max. Hell my 2 early ones a few numbers apart don't sound "exactly" the same. So seriously, what are you getting at? If all you are meaning to say is, "the current Neumann has a minor sonic difference to the original", then say that. If you feel like it's totally a different mic, say that and be prepared to defend your position.
Again, we should really move this to it's own thread as I feel that there is already ready a million OT posts in GS, why make a million and one and really if there's no more useful discussion than "I hate new Neumann's" I'm pretty well done with commenting on this subject. Having owned about 25 U87's through the years I'm comfortable with my position on this subject.

Getting back to the OP's question. Yeah, I wish more Neumann's had transformers in them. I'm just a fan of the older KM series stuff. Heck I'd love to see them reissue the U47FET, the KM86 and a handful of other very "do-able" mics, but I'm not opposed to their new designs either. I absolutely love the TLM 49. I'm very, very excited about the digital stuff. I think Neumann is a great company and I love selling their products with 100% confidence that I'm selling an excellent quality piece with excellent support. Neumann didn't chase me down and say "sell our stuff" I searched them out and decided for myself what I wanted to sell.

I dont expect everybody to like all things Neumann as they are nor for everybody, what I do expect from a professional forum are better responses than the ones that can show up in here. There are a lot of very talented, intelligent people on this site, let's try to do posts that are reflective of that. I love a good "my mic is better than your mic" discussion just like the next person, I just prefer that it be a little more informed than... I dont like this or that with no substance as to why in the post.

[studio1117]

thumbsupJamie, understood and thanks for clarifying your parameters a little bit.

Fletcher man I swear you get even smarter with age. It's amazing, the older we get, the more obvious things become. I remember when I got my first NEVE 2001 loaded with 1058 Germanium EQ's. I was asking everybody stuff about them getting varied answers then it hit me, hell why not just call Rupert, I did and we had a wonderful discussion (on several occasions) for several hours. He recalled stories of building, why they did things the way they did etc. I basically cut out the "middle men" so to speak.
I do think it's ok to ask some of these types of questions in the forums as most manufacturers wont stand up and say "oh yeah, we had to save money so we made a decision to cheapen some part of the product" but overall I think your answer says it best, the mic was designed without one......like it, or dont like it.
It's a bit like the discussion of digital mics and people saying "well then your stuck with whatever converter they put in the mic" well yes, that's true, but when you buy a classic C-12 or u47 your "stuck" with that CK12 or the M7/K47. It boils down to, do you like the sound or not ultimately.

[studio1117]

Originally Posted by Jamie Mac

That's what I thougt, too!

although, if you look closely at older and newer versions of the 441s, the sennheiser logo font on the side has changed slightly.

Jamie, I havent verified this but I did see this posted by a well informed guy in another forum "421-IIs and later use a lighter alloy in the coil, which is supposed to have a better transient response. "
maybe?

[Glenn Bucci]

Fletcher and others have answered the main question that was submitted. I think it is not useful in arguing about should there be a transformer in a mic or not. Like many have said, there are plenty of mic's to choose from that offer with or without. The Blue Kiwi is their top of the line condensor mic and it's transformerless, while their Blueberry has a transformer. AT 4033 is transformerless, and the 4047 is. When I record a vocal track (based on the vocalist voice ) I ask myself if I want to add more weight to their voice or not. If their voice is weak and not full, many times I will chose a mic with a transformer. If their voice sound great without the added weight I will use a transformerless mic. The transformer mic's I use never add noise or unpleasant distortion, just weight and a little character. Oh and there is a difference between playing with the proximity effect and having a mic with a transformer.

[slaphappy]

Originally Posted by Glenn Bucci

Fletcher and others have answered the main question that was submitted. I think it is not useful in arguing about should there be a transformer in a mic or not. Like many have said, there are plenty of mic's to choose from that offer with or without. The Blue Kiwi is their top of the line condensor mic and it's transformerless, while their Blueberry has a transformer. AT 4033 is transformerless, and the 4047 is. When I record a vocal track (based on the vocalist voice ) I ask myself if I want to add more weight to their voice or not. If their voice is weak and not full, many times I will chose a mic with a transformer. If their voice sound great without the added weight I will use a transformerless mic. The transformer mic's I use never add noise or unpleasant distortion, just weight and a little character. Oh and there is a difference between playing with the proximity effect and having a mic with a transformer.

Yep. And you can also get that transformer 'heft' from a transformer based pre. Nice thing about that is you can dial in the relative amount via input/output gain ratios.

Or, at least that's my experience.

[badmark]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

after dealing with 5 "PM"s requesting my response

Crikey

[didier.brest]

Originally Posted by Marik

2) I don't see how the transformerless circuit is quieter.

At least, you might see than the quietest microphones on the market are transformerless.