TLM49 - same capsule as M49 and U47. Really?

[Ivo]

Hi,

I'm about to check out the Neumann TLM49. I read the long GS thread on the TLM49, Ron Sexsmith and whatever else off-topic stuff came up... But I didn't find what I was looking for which is about their claim about the capsule.

Their website says:

"Uses the capsule of the legendary M 49 and U 47."

I'm not really into capsule design and manufacturing but I was thinking - isn't the whole fuzz about classic microphones for a large part based on the fact the it is just not possible to make the capsules exactly the same as they made 'em back then? I even seem to remember reading a thread about that but can't find it.

And how would that be in this specific case - anyone know if it's feasible to make that capsule nowadays?

Anyone dare to speculate - is it the exact same capsule? Or just a capsule like it?

Thanks,

Ivo W.

[gwailoh]

Klaus Heyne over on PSW can answer your question definitively: http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/f/33/8853/.

[Ivo]

Thanks, I posted there. Nice subforum.

Ivo

[GearHunter]

Gefell still makes the M7 capsule. I do not know whether it's identical to the way they were made in the 50's but it sure sounds classic in the mics that have it: UMT70, MT71, UM92.1, M900, etc.

I thought what couldn't be duplicated was the exact tubes and such.

Of course comparing a TLM to any of the M or U-type classics means you're comparing a transformerless mic to transformer-type mics, which obviously contributes to their sonic character.