Mic Archive
Lawson L47MP Mk II
Photo: Lawson, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Lawson

Lawson L47MP Mk II

Large-diaphragm tube condenser, continuously variable pattern (omni to figure-8) set on the power supply, with a cardioid-only switch; a reproduction of the M7 capsule of the Neumann U 47

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni / wide cardioid / cardioid / hypercardioid / figure-8
Sensitivity
−38.9 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
22 dB(A)
Max SPL
128 dB SPL
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 2. Figure 2, OMNI row; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated; the graph is marked "MLSSA" (the measuring system).

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the spec sheet, p. 2. Figure 2, OMNI row; each frequency drawn on one side only (red 125 Hz to 4 kHz (left); blue 8 kHz, orange 16 kHz (right)), taken as symmetric. Rings 0 to -20 dB in 5 dB steps; 0° at the top. Measuring conditions not stated.

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All specs

From the spec sheet
CapsuleLarge-diaphragm, dual 1-inch 3-micron 24-karat gold vacuum-deposited diaphragms; Lawson's reproduction of the M7 capsule; internally shock-mounted. "One-inch 3-micron 24 karat gold vacuum deposited diaphragms"; capsule "precision machined from solid brass, then hand-lapped" (p. 1).p. 2
Sensitivity−38.9 dBV/Pa (11.4 mV/Pa), 1 kHz, multi-pattern mode; also −34.8 dBV/Pa, cardioid-only mode (18.2 mV/Pa). Not stated by the manufacturer: From 11.4 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.0114).
Self-noise22 dB(A), multi-pattern mode; also 19 dB(A), cardioid-only mode; also 16 dB(A), multi-pattern, operation guide; also 13 dB(A), cardioid-only, operation guide. "Equivalent Noise Level 22 dBA multi-pattern, 19 dBA cardioid-only mode". The operation guide gives 16 / 13 dBA (p. 9).
Max SPL128 dB SPL, 1 kHz, 3% THD; also 138 dB SPL, with the -10 dB pad; also 134 dB SPL, operation guide; also 144 dB SPL, with the -10 dB pad, operation guide. "Max SPL (1 kHz 3%) 128 dB (138 db SPL with -10 dB pad)". The operation guide gives 134 dB (144 dB with the pad) (p. 9).
Output impedance150 ohm, rated
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "Frequency Range 20 to 20,000 Hz".
Poweringexternal tube power supply, 100/120/200/220/240 V AC (factory set); phantom power not needed. The operation guide: "Forty-eight volt (48V) phantom power is not necessary" (p. 5).
Pad−10 dB. "-10 dB pad (switched from power supply)"; the operation guide says it lowers the capsule polarising voltage (p. 6).
ConnectorXLR-7 (mic to power supply); XLR-3 output on the power supply. "7-pin gold-plated XLR". The 3-pin output: operation guide p. 5.
Dimensions248 × 60 mm. Length x diameter: "Mic: 9.75”L, 2.375”D"; converted.
FinishTrademark Gold or Satin Nickel
Supplied accessoriespower supply; 30-foot 7-pin cable with Neutrik connectors; shock-proof carrying case; swivel mic holder; power cord. "Accessories Included". No external shock mount: the capsule is shock-mounted inside.
Tube6n1P dual triode, selected for low noise; coupled through a polypropylene capacitor and a custom Lundahl transformer
Power supply size8 x 4.375 x 2.625 in (length x width x height)
Shipping weight14 lb
Pattern controlContinuously variable, on the power supply; omni, cardioid and figure-8 and everything between
IndicatorBlue LED inside the headbasket lit in multi-pattern modep. 1
Capsule systemQuick Change: the head unscrews and fits all other Lawson mics (L251, L47FET, L251FET)
PriceFactory direct $2,195.00 (2019)p. 2
From the manual
Low cutL47 (flat), -Bass; 100 Hz; 6 dB/octave. Low Frequency Contour switch on the power supply: with the L47 capsule the "L47 (or +BASS)" position is flat, "The -BASS position provides a 6 dB/octave rolloff below 100 Hz" (pp. 6-7, printed pages 8-9). Not graphed.p. 6
Switchesmode: multi-pattern, cardioid only. A switch on the base of the mic; cardioid-only "increases the output of the microphone by about 3 dB at the same time lowering the noise floor by the same amount" and disables the pattern control (p. 5, printed page 7).p. 5

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Lawson, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on lawsonmicrophones.comRecording Hacks

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