Neumann.Berlin M 149 Tube User Manual

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Product Information
M 149 Tube
Tube Microphone
www.neumann.com
Georg Neumann GmbH • Ollenhauerstr. 98 • 13403 Berlin • Germany • Tel.: +49 (30) 41 77 24-0 • Fax: +49 (30) 41 77 24-50 E-Mail: headoffice@neumann.com, engineering@neumann.com, catalog-info@neumann.com • Web: www.neumann.com
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he M 149 Tube is a variable dual-dia­phragm microphone. The K 49 capsule – well­known from the legendary U 47 and M 49 microphones – is followed by a tube func-tion­ing as an impedance converter. In contrast to earlier concepts – utilizing a transformer – the tube is complemented with a transformerless output circuit design.
The M 149 Tube can thus feed long micro­phone cables without any coloration.
Two slide switches are located below the large, acoustically very open headgrille.
The switch at the front allows selection one of nine directional patterns. The slide switch at the rear operates a seven-step high pass filter. It allows a very fine adjustment of the
cut-off frequency.
Applications
There are nine polar
patterns to choose
from, making this mi-
crophone an ideal
choice for a wide range
of recording situations.
As its ancestors, the
M 149 Tube is a superb
vocalist microphone, not
only because of the cap-
sule, but also due to its
modern circuitry, character-
ized by extremely low noise
level.
Acoustic features
the polar patterns.
The capsule is mount-
ed elastically inside the
headgrille to eliminate
structure borne noise. The
surface below the capsule is
shaped like a cone to disperse any reflected sound from the acoustic upper half space. This avoids any interference with the primary sound arriv­ing at the capsule directly.
A large headgrille surrounds the capsule. It is acoustically very open and therefore in­creases the sonic realism.
The design of the microphone is a registered design of the Georg Neumann GmbH in certain countries.
The M 149 Tube is addressed from the front, marked with the Neumann logo. Also on the front
is the switch for the selection of
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Polar patterns
The polar pattern switch selects one of nine directional patterns: omnidirectional, wide-an­gle-cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-8, and one additional intermediate pattern be­tween each major position.
Electrical features
The circuit of the M 149 Tube microphone has been developed to exceed traditional de­signs. We have selected a modern tube (tri­ode) and combined its exceptional transmission characteristics with the advantages of our prov­en transformerless output circuit. The aim was to provide a more controlled environment for the audio signal on its path from the capsule to the output section.
M 149 Tube
The final stage is an integrated amplifier, espe­cially designed for such applications. It features very low distortion (THD < 0.002 % at ± 10 V), very low self-noise, and high output current capability. As a result, the tube circuit is com­pletely decoupled from the microphone out­put and its characteristic response curve will be unaffected by very high signal levels or vary­ing load conditions.
The lower output impedance and higher out­put current capability allow cable lengths up to 300 m (1000 feet) without any degradation of the audio signal.
The tube amplifier changes the high impedance of the capsule and adds 10 dB of gain to the audio signal, providing optimum operating spec-
Technical Data
Acoustical operating principle .......................... Pressure gradient transducer
Directional pattern .................................. Omnidirectional, wide angle cardioid,
cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-8
plus one intermediate position each
Frequency range .................................................................................... 20 Hz...20 kHz
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm .......................................... 34/47/62 mV/Pa
Rated impedance ................................................................................................... 50 ohms
Rated load impedance ................................................................................. 1000 ohms
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR2) (rel. 94 dB SPL) .......................... 66/69/71 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted2) (rel. 94 dB SPL) ............ 78/81/83 dB
Equivalent noise level, CCIR2)............................................................. 28/25/23 dB
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted2)......................................... 16/13/11 dB-A
Typical SPL (tube characteristic)3):
for < 0,5% THD ...................................................................................................... 12 0 d B
for < 5% THD ............................................................................................................. 1 36 dB
Maximum output voltage ..................................................................................... 1 8 d Bu
Dynamic range of the microphone amplifier cardioid:
1)
(A-weighted) for < 0,5% THD (for < 5% THD) ................... 101 (121) dB
Powering....................................................................................... Power supply N 149 A
Microphone matching connectors ..................................................................... DIN8F
1)
Power supply matching connectors .................................................................. XLR3F
1)
Weight.................................................................................................................................. 730 g
1)
Diameter ........................................................................................................................... 70 mm
1)
Length............................................................................................................................. 2 0 1mm
1)
Omnidirectional / cardioid / figure-8 2) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS 3) measured as equivalent el. input signal
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ifications. The wide dynamic range is impres­sive, as peak output can be ±10 V, at 20 mA.
The ideal operating point of the tube is main­tained throughout its entire life expectancy. Plate current and filament voltage are constantly regulated. A sensor circuit monitors and com­pensates for any voltage drop across the micro­phone cable. The tube is heated up slowly through inverse current limiting to guarantee long life. Optimum operating conditions are reached within a very short time.
Filter
A seven-position slide switch is located on the back of the microphone. It selects a high-pass filter, advancing in half-octave steps between 20 Hz and 160 Hz (–3dB). This filter is useful to sup­press rumble from air-condi­tioning and in windy situations.
In addition, the filter provides an effective tool to control the audio signal when the microphone is used at close distance and therefore proximity effect alters the program material.
Delivery Range
M 149 Tube Microphone N 149 A Power supply unit with power cable, EA 170 Elastic suspension, KT 8 Microphone cable, Aluminium case, Dust cover
Catalog No.
M 149 Tube (230 V, EU) ................... ni ......... 008390
M 149 Tube (117 V, US) ................... ni ......... 008399
M 149 Tube (230 V, UK) ................... ni ......... 008403
Selection of Accessories
Auditorium hanger, MNV 87 ...........ni .......... 006804
Auditorium hanger, MNV 87 mt ... blk ....... 006806
Table stand, MF 3 ...................................blk ....... 007321
Table stand, MF 4 ...................................blk ....... 007337
Stand extension, STV 4 ........................ blk ....... 006190
Stand extension, STV 20 ..................... blk ....... 006187
Stand extension, STV 40 ..................... blk ....... 006188
Stand extension, STV 60 ..................... blk ....... 006189
Popscreen, PS 15 ..................................... blk ....... 008472
Popscreen, PS 20 a ................................ blk ....... 008488
Microphone cable, IC 3 mt ................ blk ....... 006543
Adapter cable AC 25 ............................ blk ....... 006600
Delivery Range
The specifically designed new N 149 A power supply unit feeds the M 149 Tube through an 8-core cable. The output connector for the au­dio signal is a 3-pin XLR. The output signal is balanced.
The microphone comes as a set in a high-quality aluminum case, together with the 8-core microphone connecting cable, the N 149 A power supply with plug-in mains unit, the EA 170 full elastic microphone sus­pension and a dust cover.
Features
• Switchable tube microphone
• Transformerless circuitry
• High output level
• Pressure gradient transducer with the M 49 capsule
• Acoustically very open wire mesh cage
• Nine directional charac­teristics: omni, wide angle cardioid, cardioid, hyper­cardioid, figure-8, and one intermediate position each
• 7fold switchable low frequency roll-off
A complete survey and detailed descriptions of all accessories are contained in the accessories catalog.
Meaning of color codes: blk = black ni = nickel
Application Hints
• Universal tube mic
• Its warm and yet transparent sound gives volume and presence to a vocalist
• A wide range of adjustments provide the most subtle differentiation of sound, especially in the range of proximity effect
• Mic for broadcasting, dubbing, and voice-over
• Spot mic for close miking of solo instruments, especially strings, wind instruments, and piano
These are just some of the most common applications. We recommend additional experi­mentation to gain maximum use from this microphone.
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measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4), tolerance ±2 dB
M 149 Tube
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Errors excepted, subject to changes • Printed in Germany • Publ. 01/08 058150/A05
Neumann is a registered trademark of the Georg Neumann GmbH in certain countries.
®
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