Picked up a Telefunken AK-47 (w/ Clips)

[prslespaul]

I never really heard much about these but I was presented with the right deal. I really like the mic, sounds great. I guess it is supposed to emulate a u47? I recorded a song with it on multiple sources today and figured I'd share to see if anyone else was interested in how it sounded in a mix.

Chain's are listed below:

Vocals: Telefunken AK 47-> OSA MP1 (500 Series Preamp) -> UA 1176 Blue Stripe -> Lexicon PCM70 -> Rosetta 800

Acoustic: Telefunken AK 47-> Trident s20 -> Chameleon Labs 7720 -Rosetta 800

E. Guitar: Gibson Les Paul Custom -> Fender Twin -> Telefunken AK 47-> five fish x72 -> UA 1176 Blue Stripe -> Rosetta 800

Mix:
******//dl.dropbox.com/u/2727776/Chri...-%20Change.mp3

[Sugar Stinky]

get a AR-51, ur AK47 will sell nicely on ebay,

funny frequencies on the AK47,

AR-51!!!

[Sugar Stinky]

but!!, I really really like your song, vocal performance is great, mixing is great

[4blades]

Really nice!

[Ward Pike]

I'm VERY fond of what it does to the voice being recorded. IMHO, it has the same anti-sibilant qualities of a short-tube 47...

It makes the singer's teeth sound shorter.

Those who have agonized over plosive and sibilance control and the struggle to avoid de-essers know where I'm coming from. The longer the teeth, the higher pitched the sibilant consonant overtones.

[prslespaul]

I agree with the anti-sibilance, it really does especially paired with a 1176. I did a little reading on it last night. Supposed to be a mix between a m49 and u47. You can def tell it has a BV8 transformer in it. What is that AR-51 modeled after?

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by prslespaul

I guess it is supposed to emulate a u47?

Believe it or not... its supposed to emulate an AK-47. The microphone is its own beast and has its own tonal character.

Originally Posted by prslespaul

What is that AR-51 modeled after?

Again - it is its own beast... while the amplifier in the AR-51 is a circuit board based version of the amplifier you will find in a C-12 or ELA M 251E, the capsule is based on the capsule you would find in a U-67 [just like the capsule in the AK-47]... the net result is a sound that is unique to the AR-51.

I hope this is of some assistance.

Peace

[tenchijin2]

Wouldn't you admit that the use of the number "47" and "51" in the mic's names are supposed to remind us of the U47 and Elam251, though? As in, they're either emulating or "in the vein of..." those mics?

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Believe it or not... its supposed to emulate an AK-47. The microphone is its own beast and has its own tonal character.



Again - it is its own beast... while the amplifier in the AR-51 is a circuit board based version of the amplifier you will find in a C-12 or ELA M 251E, the capsule is based on the capsule you would find in a U-67 [just like the capsule in the AK-47]... the net result is a sound that is unique to the AR-51.

I hope this is of some assistance.

Peace

[drBill]

Originally Posted by tenchijin2

Wouldn't you admit that the use of the number "47" and "51" in the mic's names are supposed to remind us of the U47 and Elam251, though? As in, they're either emulating or "in the vein of..." those mics?

I was thinking the same thing. One would at least think that they would AVOID those numbers if they didn't want the inevitable comparison. Can't have your cake and eat it too......

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by tenchijin2

Wouldn't you admit that the use of the number "47" and "51" in the mic's names are supposed to remind us of the U47 and Elam251, though? As in, they're either emulating or "in the vein of..." those mics?

Lemme walk you through the etymology - the first mic in the "R-F-T series" was the M-16 [which rapidly became the "M-16 mkII"] -- the second mic in the "R-F-T series" was the AK-47. As you may have gathered, these names were derived from the model numbers of infamous and powerful firearms. This happened before I joined the organization.

The AR-51 came to be as an addition to the "R-F-T series" of products... and was pretty much set to be the replacement for the [at the time] soon to be discontinued M-16. The basis for the M-16 firearm is called the AR-15 [kinda like the civilian model of the weapon]. As my work with them at the time was to basically serve as the "brand manager" I thought it would be a good idea to start to move the company away from the weapons references.

While I understand the correlation between "tools of the trade" and "weapons in the arsenal" it can often require some explanation [see this post for details], and in our generally overly "PC" society probably not one of the best "brand images" for the company... soooooo... as a gentle way to walk the company away from the reference to firearms, "AR-51" was born.

Obviously, the "51" part is "15" turned backwards... as the microphone shares an amplifier design with the C-12 and the ELA M 251 E this wasn't that hard a sell to management. AR-21 wasn't that appealing a number so the "51" was employed. I will venture to guess that in future "R-F-T series" releases the model numbers will indeed stray farther and farther from weapons references.

The bottom line is that the model numbers were never meant to deceive - or even imply - they simply were what they were. In the grand scheme of things there are far more models from other MFG's that employ the number "47" in their model numbers that are even farther from having anything in common with a vintage microphone. In the T-funk case it is what it is... and I am very certainly highly unqualified to comment on the thought process of any other MFG.

I hope this explanation is of some use or assistance.

Peace

[kidvybes]

...while the actual naming of the AK-47 may be as Fletcher describes, it can't be overlooked that the mic was originally based on Oliver Archut's "47-type mod" circuit that incorporated a mini EF732 tube...it also utilized the AMI BV47 transformer, Oliver's design (meant to impart the BV8-type transformer sound in the limited space of this particular C12-type mic body)...to keep cost within a particular range, the Alctron K67-type capsule was employed (this was prior to the Chinese production of a newer K47-type capsule, now being employed in Archut's new TAB/Blackspade UM17)...so, while the "firearm" reference may correlate, there's no denying the AK-47's design being Archut's U47-influenced take on a cost effective alternative...Oliver's UM17 evolves that original AK-47 design even further towards the U47-influenced realm by incorporating the Chinese K17 capsule (a sort of K47/M7 hybrid design) and his new BV8LP (low-profile BV8 style) tranny and offering a Thiersch M-7 capsule upgrade option...

[OlofBerggren]

It makes the singer's teeth sound shorter.

Just the "sound" I found to love on old Rapsongs....
"junk-on-the-short-teeth´s-sound"


Ohh yeah I´m getting one of these!

[Pro-Audio-LA]

We are really blown away with this microphone. There aren't a lot of things that can compare in the price range. Excellent build quality, and a unique character. Absolutely love the results on most vocal styles and acoustic guitar.

Jared

[feral frequency]

I actually never cared for the mic much when I first got it. It was useable and still a decent mic at the price point. There was something that I just didnt care for. I decided to put a Beesneez K7 capsule in it when Ben came out with the capsule. I had heard good things about it and was curious to try it. It was worlds better for me. Sounded bolder and more 3d. Took away some of the edge I was hearing. I know all the normal adjectives. But, to me the capsule in the stock AK47 is the weakest link. Just my experience. Still a good mic stock. YMMV

Respectful regards.