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Neumann M 149 Tube
Photo: Neumann, from its manual, p. 1.

Neumann

Neumann M 149 Tube

Large-diaphragm tube condenser, nine patterns, K 47/49 capsule, transformerless output; seven-step low cut; external N 149 A supply

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni / wide cardioid / cardioid / hypercardioid / figure-8
Sensitivity
−26.6 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
13 dB(A)
Max SPL
120 dB SPL
Impedance
50 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 10. Free field, IEC 60268-4; tolerance ±2 dB (as printed under the graphs). Distance not stated.

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

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 11. Free field, IEC 60268-4. Each curve is drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric. Rings every 5 dB, centre -25 dB. Low-cut setting not stated; filed under the 20 Hz setting.

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All specs

From the manual
CapsuleK 49 (K 47/49) dual-diaphragm large-diaphragm capsule ("M 7 capsule"). German text: "Doppelmembran-Kapsel K 49, die in den legendären Mikrofonen U 47 und M 49 bekannt und berühmt geworden ist („M 7-Kapsel“)"; the product page calls it "the classic K 47/49 large diaphragm capsule".p. 3
Sensitivity−26.6 dBV/Pa (47 mV/Pa), cardioid, 1 kHz into 1 kohm rated load; also −29.4 dBV/Pa, omni; also −24.2 dBV/Pa, figure-8. Not stated by the manufacturer: Printed as 34/47/62 mV/Pa; converted with 20·log10(mV/1000). Values per pattern are printed as omni/cardioid/figure-8; the cardioid value is the main one here.p. 9
Self-noise13 dB(A), cardioid; IEC 60268-1, A-weighted RMS (IEC 61672-1); also 16 dB(A), omni; also 11 dB(A), figure-8. Values per pattern are printed as omni/cardioid/figure-8; the cardioid value is the main one here.
Self-noise (CCIR 468)25 dB, cardioid; CCIR 468-3 quasi-peak; also 28 dB, omni; also 23 dB, figure-8
Max SPL120 dB SPL, THD < 0.5% (tube characteristic); also 136 dB SPL, THD < 5%. "Max. SPL (tube characteristic) for THD < 0.5 % 120 dB; for THD < 5 % 136 dB": "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL".
Signal-to-noise ratio81 dB, cardioid; re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 78 dB, omni; also 83 dB, figure-8; also 69 dB, cardioid, CCIR; also 66 dB, omni, CCIR; also 71 dB, figure-8, CCIR
Dynamic range101 dB, amplifier, cardioid, A-weighted, THD < 0.5%; also 121 dB, THD < 5%
Output impedance50 ohm, nominal
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, nominal load
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "Frequency response 20 Hz...20 kHz".
PoweringN 149 A mains power supply (included); also N 149 or N 149 V. "Power supply N 149 (A/V)". The supply's XLR output tolerates 48 V phantom (load about 1 mA, p. 5).
Low cut20 Hz, 40 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz. "a seven-step high-pass switch for altering the cut-off frequency (–3 dB) in half-octave steps between 20 Hz and 160 Hz", a slide switch on the back. Only 20, 40, 80 and 160 Hz are printed (the graph's boxes and the text); the three in-between steps are not named and have no curves, so they are not listed. There is no "off" position.p. 3
ConnectorBinder 8-pin (DIN 45326) on the mic; XLR-3 output on the power supply. "Required connectors: Microphone Binder 8-pin (DIN 45326); Power supply unit XLR 3F".p. 9
Weight730 g, approx.
Dimensions70 × 201 mm. "Ø 70 mm x 201 mm": diameter x length.
Supplied accessoriesN 149 A power supply; KT 8 eight-core cable (10 m); EA 170 elastic suspension; dust cover; aluminium case. "The M 149 Tube comes complete with KT 8 eight-core microphone cable, power supply unit and elastic suspension EA 170 in an aluminium case"; a cloth dust cover is included.p. 5
Intermediate patternsOne intermediate position between each pair of neighbouring main patterns (nine positions in all); no data or graphs for themp. 2
TubeSpecially selected (subminiature) triode as the input stage; about 10 dB gainp. 4
Output stageTransformerless; peak output ±10 V at 20 mA
Max. output voltage18 dBup. 9
Pattern switchingNoise is raised for up to 30 s after a pattern change while the capsule recharges to its new polarisation voltagep. 6
Cable lengthAudio cable up to about 300 m; the 8-core cable between mic and supply up to about 100 mp. 7
HeadgrilleThe M 49 shape, but acoustically more open; a dome under the capsule scatters sound from above; capsule elastically mountedp. 4
Self-noise (maker)3 to 5 dB lower than comparable tube microphonesp. 3
AddressFrom the side with the Neumann logop. 2
VersionsEU (cat. no. 08390), US (08399), UK (08403); matt nickelp. 6
From the product page
AwardTEC Award, 1997

Documents

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

Product page on neumann.comRecording Hacks

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