Neumann M149 Tube 9 Polar Pattern Condenser Microphone

he M 149 Tube* is a variable dual-diaphragm microphone. The K 49 capsule – well-known from the legendary U 47 and M 49 microphones – is followed by a tube functioning 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 microphone 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 capsule, but also due to its modern circuitry, characterized by extremely low noise level.

Acoustic features

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 the polar patterns.  The capsule is mounted 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.

 

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

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/Pa1)
Rated impedance	50 ohms
Rated load impedance	1 kohms
Equivalent noise level, CCIR2)	28/25/23 dB1)
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted2)	16/13/11 dB-A1)
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR2)(rel. 94 dB SPL)	66/69/71 dB1)
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted2) (rel. 94 dB SPL)	78/81/83 dB1)
Typical SPL (tube characteristic)3)	K < 0,5 %: 120 dB, K < 5 %: 136 dB
Maximum output voltage	18 dBu
Powering	Power supply N 149 A
Matching connectors	Microphone DIN8F, Power supply XLR3F
Weight	730 g
Diameter	70 mm
Length	201 mm