Since the 1950s, the Neumann M 50 has been heralded as the ideal microphone for orchestral recording and string scoring. With its phenomenal transient response and unique directional characteristic, this classic mic has endeared many fans, both in the control room and on the soundstage.

 

The new M 150 Tube* takes many of the features from the original M 50 and incorporates them in a very modern microphone. With low self noise, a Titanium membrane and capsule, transformerless tube amplifier and sophisticated power supply, the M 150 Tube is not a reissue but an entirely new microphone in its own right.
Acoustical features
The Titanium diaphragm of the pressure capsule is 12 mm in diameter and is exceedingly thin. Although Titanium has been known to have unique and desirable characteristics for some time, it has, until very recently, been very difficult to procure in the quality necessary for use in a microphone of this type.

 

The headgrille is shaped just like that on the original M 50, as requested by various top engineers in the recording industry. Due to mounting the pressure capsule with the diaphragm flush to the surface of a small (40 mm) sphere, the directional characteristic of the M 150 Tube is entirely unique.

 

At the lowest frequencies, this system is a pure omnipressure transducer with a perfectly circular polar pattern. However, in the mid- and upper frequencies, the pickup pattern becomes more narrow. The M 150 Tube is an ideal microphone for any stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 surround recording, particularly DECCA Tree technique.
Electrical features
The dynamic range of the M 150 Tube is 119 dB, allowing reproduction of the full musical expression, without restraint.

 

With a low self noise of 15 dB-A, more gain can be used without risk of adding noise to the final product. The transformerless output circuit of this microphone allows for extremely fine reproduction of small signals and low frequency information. Also, long cable runs can be used with no loss of signal quality.

All Titanium capsule
Unparalleled transient accuracy
Pressure omni capsule for extended low frequency response
Modern version of the world-famous M 50
Transformerless tube amplifier based on the award-winning M 149 Tube microphone
Ideal for DECCA tree recording and surround miking techniques
Very low self noise of 15 dB-A
Stereo sets with consecutive serial numbers

Its special acoustic properties make this an ideal mic for most classical recordings
A superb AB stereo pair for perfect balance of direct and reverberant sound
Decca tree, setup with three microphones
A highest quality spot (solo) mic

 

These are just some of the most common applications. We recommend additional experimentation to gain maximum use from this microphone

 

Acoustical operating principle Pressure transducer
Directional pattern Omnidirectional
Frequency range 20 Hz ... 20 kHz
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 20 mV/Pa
Rated impedance 50 ohms
Rated load impedance 1 kohms
Equivalent noise level, CCIR1) 28 dB
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted1) 15 dB-A
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR1) (rel. 94 dB SPL) 66 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted1) (rel. 94 dB SPL) 79 dB
Typical SPL (tube characteristic)2) K < 0,5 %: 114 dB, K < 5 %: 134 dB
Maximum output voltage 8 dBu
Dynamic range of the microphone amplifier (A-weighted) K < 0,5 % *: 99 dB, K < 5 %: 119 dB
Powering Power supply N 149 A
Matching connector microphone DIN8F
Matching connector power supply XLR3F
Weight 800 g
Diameter 78 mm
Length 165 mm

 

______________________________________________
1) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
2) measured as equivalent el. input signal