Neumann TLM 49

[MGA]

Hey everyone,

Neumann is going to release a new mic called the TLM 49. Nothing on either Neumann main site or the US one as yet but here is a link to an anouncement:
http://www.digitalproducer.com/artic...e.jsp?id=38592

[valverec]

Sounds like a marketing ploy to me. I wish they'd put the transformers back in these things.

[MGA]

Originally Posted by valverec

Sounds like a marketing ploy to me. I wish they'd put the transformers back in these things.

Yeah me too. If they were clever they would have seen the popluarity of their old designs (ie U47, 67 etc) and reissued those. I think they may have missed the boat by quite some time on this subject.

[djui5]

this sounds promising! A lot more promising than other products that have been released recently.

[Blenn]

http://www.zzounds.com/item--NEUTLM49

Paul

[MichaelT]

At that price I can just picture the forthcoming "this vs. Pearlman" threads

-Mike

[antiguru]

Originally Posted by MGA

Yeah me too. If they were clever they would have seen the popluarity of their old designs (ie U47, 67 etc) and reissued those. I think they may have missed the boat by quite some time on this subject.

This is practically impossible due to various design / supply issues. Klaus Heyne wrote a good little post on why this hasnt happened yet on his PSW forum.

[Klaus]

You can get Neumann's introduction, with background info, specs and polar diagrams here:
http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/10703/318/

What I find remarkable is the TLM 49's rather low headroom, compared to all other TLM-generation Neumanns... Possibly a result of running a tube with only 48V (phantom) supply?

4-6-2006 CORRECTION: The initial literature Neumann distributed to me mentions the "TLM49 Tube". I confirmed today from Sennheiser that this is a 100% SOLID STATE mic. This literature is being withdrawn, according to the sales manager, and replaced, without the word "tube" appearing anymore.


Kind regards,
Klaus Heyne

[murp]

Originally Posted by Klaus

What I find remarkable is the TLM 49's rather low headroom, compared to all other TLM-generation Neumanns... Possibly a result of running a tube with only 48V (phantom) supply?

Is there even a tube in this thing?

It's not on Neumann's site yet, but I have looked at a few sites that have it listed, and the words tube/valve don't even show up...

[rockyroad]

Doesn't appear to be a tube mic.
Looks nice!
Will this just be a warmer alternative to the TLM103?

[sedohr]

It´s on the Neumann site, all data and stuff..

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=c...49_description

[C/G]

Originally Posted by antiguru

This is practically impossible due to various design / supply issues. Klaus Heyne wrote a good little post on why this hasnt happened yet on his PSW forum.

They could realistically do a U67 reissue, but that is another thread topic entirely. No shortage of EF86 tubes and the body tube and grill is the same as a U87. It would just cost us a shitload to buy it.

Seems to be some marketing hype stating same capsule as the legendary U47. I thought U47's used an M7 capsule only being made by Gefell, unless they meant the FET 47. Clever wording those ad guys have.

[Klaus]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

Seems to be some marketing hype stating same capsule as the legendary U47. I thought U47's used an M7 capsule only being made by Gefell, unless they meant the FET 47. Clever wording those ad guys have.

Regardless of the merits of this new mic, and regardless of my own scepticism towards any offerings by the company these days woth of enthusiasm, I still find it proper for Neumann/Sennheiser to claim that this new mic uses the U47 capsule:

Since 1959/1960 all U47, U48 and M49 came with the K47/49 capsule which is still made today, with identical dimensions and specs. (I might add, some of these currently manufactured K47 specimens are spectacular, some not so good- manufacturing tolerances on capsules cannot be reigned in much better than that)

The earlier M7 shares the same backplate acoustic design with the K47. But the M7's PVC diaphragm material was discontinued because of the plastic's instability over time. Hence the later U47 capsule version.
By the way: the K47 capsule was always the one used in FET 47s)

Neumann/Gefell was one of two manufacturing locations for the M7 capsule (the other was Neumann/Berlin)


Kind regards,
Klaus Heyne

[I Lurk]

Originally Posted by valverec

Sounds like a marketing ploy to me. I wish they'd put the transformers back in these things.

Originally Posted by MGA

Yeah me too. If they were clever they would have seen the popluarity of their old designs (ie U47, 67 etc) and reissued those. I think they may have missed the boat by quite some time on this subject.

You guys are victimised by marketing hype ...

regards

[Yoda117]

didn't we have a post about this new mic already?

I think we have a few actually.

I'm pretty dubious about how this one is going to sound actually... I haven't heard anything coming out of my usual studios regarding this mic (and they usually have some opinions about new gear they get to test before it's released to the general market).

Is that why I'm cautious about this one? Nope.

It is because it's a Neumann, or a transformerless mic? Nope.

Then why, you ask? Because this thing is supposed to be emulating a tube mic. Now I like Neumann tubes. I've used them in the past and think they're great on my voice. If I had the spare $, I'd get one. I have greater need for a different kind of mic right now so I am looking into mics like the UMT800 and it's competitors, so there's no "Neumann bashing" coming from me.

But... when you try to mimic something, it usually comes out as a pale copy. Especially at first. That is what I fear. If this thing works, and I like it after getting my hands on one, I'll buy it for the collection. But until then, I am going to keep a watchful eye out to see what the reviews and opinions are (both local and on the net) and getting a hands-on look at this thing before I decide.

[C/G]

Originally Posted by Klaus

)

The earlier M7 shares the same backplate acoustic design with the K47. But the M7's PVC diaphragm material was discontinued because of the plastic's instability over time. Hence the later U47 capsule version.
By the way: the K47 capsule was always the one used in FET 47s)

Neumann/Gefell was one of two manufacturing locations for the M7 capsule (the other was Neumann/Berlin)


Kind regards,
Klaus Heyne

Klaus, I stand corrected. I always thought all the tube U47's used the classic M7 capsule. Thanks for the clarification, although I still think the ad text is a bit murky, because people might assume it is the M7 they are getting with that reference.

[I Lurk]

Originally Posted by Yoda117

Then why, you ask? Because this thing is supposed to be emulating a tube mic. Now I like Neumann tubes. I've used them in the past and think they're great on my voice. If I had the spare $, I'd get one. I have greater need for a different kind of mic right now so I am looking into mics like the UMT800 and it's competitors, so there's no "Neumann bashing" coming from me.

But... when you try to mimic something, it usually comes out as a pale copy.

Audio design is all about mimicing and pale copies ...

Is the fatso a pale copy of tape recording ? Well yes, for sure. Is it a good unit ?

Yes for sure it is ...

IS the E49 an M49 ?

Nope, it is not.

Does it suck ?

Certainly not, it's a ****ing great mike.



You gotta realise that only your ears are able to evaluate a piece of gear, and the only post in this thread that helps understanding what this mike is all about is from Klaus Heynes, and that comes as no surprise. The rest of the usual gearslut comments are fun and in the mean time, irrelevant if you are trying to decide weither this new toy should be add or not to your mic locker.

Might sucks, might be a new U47fet. Who knows ?

regards

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by I Lurk

Audio design is all about mimicing and pale copies ...

Is the fatso a pale copy of tape recording ? Well yes, for sure. Is it a good unit ?

Yes for sure it is ...

IS the E49 an M49 ?

Nope, it is not.

Does it suck ?

Certainly not, it's a ****ing great mike.



You gotta realise that only your ears are able to evaluate a piece of gear, and the only post in this thread that helps understanding what this mike is all about is from Klaus Heynes, and that comes as no surprise. The rest of the usual gearslut comments are fun and in the mean time, irrelevant if you are trying to decide weither this new toy should be add or not to your mic locker.

Might sucks, might be a new U47fet. Who knows ?

regards

I believe that was my point. Too often we try to imitate things and they come out as poor replicas. That said, there are times that a new and unique quality comes forth that makes the piece of equipment worth having.

Hence my comment regarding an interesting, but cautious outlook regarding the new mic.

[musicl]

Review of Neumann TLM 49

found this interesting:

a conversation with Neumann product manager Dan Radin, I learned a few things about the mic that haven’t yet been mentioned on the company Web site or in ads. Radin explained that Neumann’s goal was to “come as close to a tube sound as possible, but with semiconductors and phantom power instead of a tube” in order to avoid the cost of the tube power supply. According to Radin, the TLM 49?s electronics provide an increase in even-order harmonics and will also break up like a tube mic would when faced with high sound-pressure level.