Neumann M149TUBE is a superbly appointed microphone, offering flexibility as either the “money mic” for vocals, or a highly detailed mic for orchestral applications.
M149TUBE offers nine directional characteristics – omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-8, plus four intermediate positions – as well as a 7-position low cut (20 to 160 Hz in half-octave steps). This flexibility along with an exceptionally low self-noise figure of only 13 dB-A (cardioid mode) makes the M 149 a truly universal studio microphone. Not only is M 149 a superb microphone for vocalists in any genre; unlike many other modern tube microphones, it is also an amazingly versatile microphone for a wide range of instruments, such as piano, acoustic and electric guitar, upright bass, percussion, drums overheads, as well as solo strings, brass and woodwind instruments.
The M 149 is a universal studio microphone with tube electronics in the tradition of the legendary M 49, the large diaphragm condenser microphone that raised the standard of audio recording in the 1950s and has shaped the sound of countless jazz and pop albums ever since. The M 149 continues in this tradition, augmenting the timeless fidelity of its predecessor with updated technology and improved performance specs.
The delicate dual diaphragm capsule is housed in a large, acoustically open headgrille, which minimises internal reflections. The capsule signal is then amplified by a subminiature triode tube, specially selected for lowest noise and optimal transmission characteristics. The final stage is a high-precision, ultra-low distortion transformerless output stage, which preserves the full dynamics of the preceding tube circuit and is optimised for 21st century signal chains. M149TUBE offers higher sensitivity and much lower noise than vintage tube microphones. Thanks its current sensing technology, which ensures optimal operating conditions for the tube (and its low output impedance), M 149 can drive long cable runs of up to 300m without transmission losses.
