Mic Archive
Microtech Gefell M 221
Photo: Microtech Gefell, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Microtech Gefell

Microtech Gefell M 221

Small-diaphragm omnidirectional pressure condenser: a ½" measurement capsule with nickel diaphragm on a P48 studio preamp, free-field equalised

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni
Sensitivity
−26 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
15 dB(A)
Max SPL
136 dB SPL
Impedance
100 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 4. Graph titled "Frequency responce M 221"; one line, relative dB (0 dB in the lows and mids). Distance, room and smoothing not stated. The y labels read +5, 0, -5, -15 on equal steps: the -15 is a misprint for -10. Drawn from 20 Hz to just below 20 kHz.

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. 4. Four polar plots, 0° up, one frequency on each half (arrows: 0.63 | 1 kHz, 2 | 4 kHz, 8 | 12.5 kHz, 16 | 20 kHz); rings 0, -10 and -20 dB labelled, 2.5 dB per ring. Measuring conditions not stated.

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All specs

From the spec sheet
Capsule12.5 mm pressure capsule, thin metal diaphragm (certified measurement capsule). "a condenser capsule with a diameter of 12,5 mm and a very thin metal diaphragm"; "certificated measurement capsule" (p. 2). The product page calls it a "1/2" Nickelkapsel" with "Nickelmembran".p. 2
Sensitivity−26 dBV/Pa (50 mV/Pa), 1 kHz. Not stated by the manufacturer: From "50 mV/Pa": 20·log10(0.05).p. 4
Self-noise15 dB(A), DIN EN 60268-4
Self-noise (CCIR 468)28 dB, CCIR 468-4
Max SPL136 dB SPL, 0.5% THD. "Max. SPL for K < 0,5 %".
Signal-to-noise ratio79 dB, A-weighted
Dynamic range121 dB
Output impedance100 ohm
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "20 ... 20000 Hz"; p. 2: "constant frequency response from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz (± 2 dB)".
PoweringP48 phantom (48 V ± 4 V, IEC 61938). "power supply 48 V ± 4 V" (p. 4); "48 V phantom supply according to IEC 61938" (p. 3).
Current draw5.5 mA; also 6 mA, text on p. 3. "5,5 mA" in the table; the text on p. 3 says "a current consumption of 6 mA". The product page gives 5,5 mA.
ConnectorXLR-3M, gold-plated pins. "XLR3M" (p. 4); "standard 3-pin XLR-male plug with gold-plated pins" (p. 3).
Weight123 g
Dimensions170.4 × 21 mm. Length × largest diameter. The text (p. 3): capsule and preamp are 12.7 mm across, widening "to 21 mm over the length of the microphone preamplifier to the connection side"; the table on p. 4 swaps the labels ("Diameter connection side 12,7 mm", "Diameter capsule side 21 mm").
Finishdark bronzep. 3
Supplied accessoriesMH 93.1 microphone holder; KA 3 and KA 4 spherical attachments; wooden case. Delivery: "with the microphone holder MH 93.1 and spherical corpuses KA 3 and KA 4 in a wooden case", order no. 211103.
Max. output level18 dBu (1 kΩ); 19 dBu (10 kΩ)p. 4
OutputTransformerless, balancedp. 3
EqualisationFree-field equalised; no proximity effectp. 2
Spherical attachmentsKA 3: rise from about 1 kHz to a constant +3 dB from about 4 kHz to 12 kHz; KA 4: rise from about 1 kHz, +3 dB from 3 kHz to 12 kHz. For presence and to make up the high-frequency loss in the diffuse field
ConstructionCapsule and preamp are separate parts joined by a screw threadp. 3
HumidityCapsule vented through the preamp; humidity adaptor TA 202 available for very humid conditionsp. 2
Accessories (optional)W 2 windscreen; EH 93 elastic suspension; MH 93 turnable holder; C 70 cablep. 3
Uses (Gefell)Main microphone with room sound, AB and Decca tree arrays, close spot miking where low frequencies matter, instruments with strong transientsp. 2

Documents

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

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