Neumann History
Refinements in
Phonographic Technology
Up until around 1953, Neumann built
So far the records had been monophonic disks made using lateral recording. In 1956, Neu- mann debuted its first stereo
were developed, the quality of which improved continually. These were all electrodynamical feedback cutterheads. This model series continued with the SX 45, SX 68, SX 74 and finally the SX 84.
Many companies made a name for themselves with their products on the disk cutting mar- ket. These included, for exam- ple, Ortofon, Westrex, Scully, Fairchild, Dauphine, and others. By the end of the fifties, Neu- mann was the only company left that could deliver complete
One interesting phenomenon in this connection is the tracing distortion that results from
the difference in geometric shape between the tool used to cut the grooves and the playback stylus. The cutting stylus is shaped like a
spade, while the playback stylus is spherical. During playback, this results in tracing distor- tion, which mainly contains the 2nd harmon- ic. In 1968, Neumann built the Tracing Simulator that solved this problem.
In the early seventies, Neumann successfully developed, in conjunction with TELDEC, a mechanically recorded video record that was played back via a pressure pickup. The experience gained in this connection led to another significant improvement in the process of cutting phonograph records. In the beginning, phonograph records were cut in bee’s wax and for years thereafter in a phonographic foil coated with
One Step Ahead Again:
The TLM Technology
At the 1983
Each microphone represented a considerable improvement in the common dynamic range of studio microphones at its respective time of in- troduction. Their electronics evidenced lower residual noise and, simultaneously, higher modulation levels than predecessor models. Further-
more, they were also a novelty in the market because they were the first to provide
The “especially open, free sound” of the TLM technology, which made it possible to transmit fine structures “as if a curtain had been pulled aside”, encouraged Neumann to quickly equip other microphones with this system.
In order to be able to fit the complex circuitry into miniature micro- phones, however, it first took an additional development step: hybrid technology. This technology even made it possible to incorporate
all electronics right in the capsule housing, thus giving rise to the “active capsules” of the KM 100 series.
So Neumann’s miniature microphones not only took another clear step toward improved technical data, but now the capsules could be used with the help of accessories such as goosenecks, stand mounts, various cables, and tilting devices without
This miniature microphone family now comprises seven different capsules with all customary directional patterns.
These also include stereo mounts for XY, ORTF and MS recording techniques.
The Specialists
Besides the aforementioned dummy head, in 1992 the KFM 100 Spherical Surface Microphone was introduced for an additional stereo recording method.
This microphone had two small,
the diameter of a
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