Neumann M 49

The legendary M 49 is a large diaphragm tube studio microphone with warm sound, optimized for vocal performance.

The M 49, which was introduced in the early 1950’s, was the first remote controllable studio microphone featuring dual diaphragm capsule (the capsule diameter is 34 mm), allowing switchable polar pattern. The objective was to avoid an exchange of microphones or capsules, and to remotely control the microphones directional pickup pattern. The only switchable pattern microphone existing at that time, the Neumann U 47, exhibited a 5 dB increase in output when switched from Omni to Cardioid. In the cardioids position, the rear half of the capsule in the U 47 was simply electrically disconnected. As a consequence, the out-put of the rear capsule and the attenuation of the front via the fixed parallel capacitance of the rear were avoided.

Comfortable pattern control for the new M 49 was achieved by keeping both capsule halves connected to the impedance converter with regard to the signal, however insulated from each other with regard to the DC bias. The front diaphragm is polarized with a constant voltage of 60 Vdc, while the bias for the rear diaphragm is adjustable from 0 Vdc to 120 Vdc. This allows the polar pattern to become variable between Omni through cardioids to figure – 8 maintaining a practically constant sensitivity.

The M 49 was introduced to the German radio broadcasters in 1952. Because of its unprecedented versatility it conquered the international recording studios rather quickly. Due to the innovative feature remote pattern control, it found widespread application as the important main microphone above large orchestras. Other applications were as a spot microphone for wind and string instruments, for piano and as the favorite announcer’s microphone.

Today, the TLM 49 which its design is inspired by the M 49 and M 50 replaces the M 49.