Remote Switchable Studio Tube Microphone
TRUE GREATNESS
Introduced in 1951, the M 49 revolutionized studio technology with its continuously variable, remote-switchable polar pattern. And, of course, with its incomparably full, silky sound, which has made its mark on countless recordings to this day. The M 49 V is what many have been eagerly waiting for: a reissue according to original specifications!
THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIG
The M 49 is a great microphone in every respect. For as impressive as its physical appearance is its incomparable sound. With its revolutionary technology, the M 49 has set new standards altogether. The M 49 is a true Neumann legend.
EVERYTHING AND MORE
The objective itself was grand: in the early 1950s, a reference microphone was developed in cooperation with the Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk (Northwest German Broadcasting) that was to replace all previous ones. Instead of having to replace the capsule in order to change the directional characteristic, the M 49 allowed remote controlling the polar pattern from the power supply – continuously. With its balanced frequency response in all directional patterns from omnidirectional to cardioid to figure-8, including intermediate settings, the M 49 is a truly universal microphone: be it orchestra, piano, trumpet, or vocals, the M 49 is suitable for recordings of all kinds to the highest standard. As a result, the M 49 was, and still is, in great demand. No other Neumann microphone of the tube age was manufactured for a longer period: from 1951 to 1971. Countless legendary recordings from cool jazz to present day pop bear its elegant sound signature. The M 49 is an inseparable part of the Neumann DNA.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
At last, the legend is available again! The M 49 V is a reissue of the last revision c. Over the years, the M 49 was continuously improved: the originally installed Hiller tube MSC2 was replaced by the Telefunken tube AC701 and then the AC701k. This and other circuit changes improved the signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and immunity to interference. In parallel, a broadcast version, the M 249, was issued with an RF-proof connector.
The M 49 V uses the same circuit as the M 49 c, but with an even lower noise subminiature tube. Since high-frequency interference has increased dramatically due to mobile phone networks and WiFi, the RF-proof connector has been adopted from the M 249.
The included NM V pattern control unit is designed to automatically provide the optimal heater voltage for both the M 49 V and any historical M 49; it also automatically adapts to the local mains voltage. Additionally, the M 49 V set includes the iconic yoke mount, whose flexible positioning has contributed to the M 49’s enormous popularity. The M 49 V set is delivered in a high-quality case, which, like the entire microphone, is handmade in Germany.
COMPATIBILITY AND ORDER OPTIONS
The M 49 V has two internal switches that can be used to establish compatibility with various historical circuit variants (see below, “A Brief History of the M 49”).
In the standard delivery state, the M 49 V is fully compatible with the last historical variant M 49 c with a 1st order high pass at 30 Hz.
Using the internal switch S4, the high pass frequency can be lowered to 12 Hz. This results in the low frequency response of the early M 49 (without suffix) until 1957, which did not yet have this high pass. At the same time, a certain protection against infrasound is maintained.
Using the internal switch S2, the M 49 V can be set to a fixed cardioid pattern, as was possible with the historical M 49 b variant. This deactivates pattern adjustment; sensitivity increases by about 2 dB, and the equivalent noise level decreases by about 3 dB. This setting is useful if the M 49 V is to be used exclusively in cardioid mode, e.g. for vocals or speech.
The internal switches should not be operated by the user, but only by Neumann Service.
In the standard delivery state, the high pass filter is set to 30 Hz, and pattern control is activated. If you wish a different delivery state, you can order the M 49 V from your dealer or Neumann sales partner in the desired switch setting (Made To Order).
The M 49 V uses the same circuitry as the last and most popular revision, the M 49 c. Only the Telefunken AC701k tube, which is no longer available, was replaced by an even lower noise type, also in subminiature format.
The M 49 V set includes the newly designed power supply NM V. Since the new, very low-noise subminiature tube requires a somewhat higher heater voltage, the M 49 V should not be operated using historical power supplies. Conversely, however, the NM V can also be used for old M 49 microphones. An automatic function ensures that the optimum heating voltage is always provided for the tube used. In addition, the NM V automatically adapts to the local mains voltage. Nevertheless, it is not a modern switch mode power supply but a conventional linear power supply – for sound reasons!
The M 49 V set is completed by the popular yoke mount. It has always made the M 49 particularly flexible in terms of positioning and, together with the microphone, forms an iconic unit. In this mount, the M 49 can be seen in countless session photos, including such seminal albums as Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue and many other recordings from the legendary Columbia Studios in New York City. Compared to the historic yoke mount, the new version has been supplemented with elements for mechanical decoupling of the microphone as well as a cable holder to suppress cable-related structure-borne noise.
