Neumann History

Back to the Tubes

The assertion above that the U 67 was Neumann’s last tube microphone is not entirely correct.

Down to the present day, the development of semiconductor circuitry has resulted in tremendous improvements in specifications. There has also been amazing improvement in the reliability of all components. Quality and utmost technical complexity have become common- place. Equipment available only to professionals a few years ago is now available for relatively little money.

Nevertheless, one “old-fashioned” component has, despite a brief slumber, never disappeared, especially in the studio sector: tubes. First they became popular in power amplifiers, where they could bring their pleasant sounding qualities to bear, then the clamour for a microphone revival became increasingly loud.

In 1995, Neumann responded with its M 149 Tube. The “49” in the name is no acci- dent, since this large dia-

phragm microphone with nine switchable directional characteristics falls back on distinguished ancestors through its use of the K 47/49 capsule and its design. The circuitry is mod- ern, however, despite the tube impedance converter which determines the sound. The output stage contains a transformer- less, solid-state amplifier that can handle high modulation levels for driving even long microphone cables. This was always a problem with this micro- phone’s ancestors, since cable

material and length were always unforeseeable factors affecting the resulting sound.

Highlights of the

End of the Millenium

At the end of 1998, exactly one century after the birth of Georg Neumann, the M 149 Tube inspired the new M 147 Tube. Limited to the most popular directional characteristic, the car- dioid characteristic, the M 147 Tube features the same capsule and circuit technology as the award-winning M 149 Tube.

Another highlight in the history of the company occurred shortly before the end of the mille- nium: In February, 1999, Neumann was awarded the Technical Grammy in Los Angeles for its

contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field and the audio world. In addition a large number of Neumann products received the coveted TEC Award from the Amer- ican MIX magazine: the TLM 50, the M 149 Tube, the TLM 103, the M 147 Tube, the KMS 105, the M 150 Tube and finally the TLM 127, which appeared in the year 2003.

Neumann on Stage

Although a few artists had already favored the use of Neu- mann microphones such as the KMS 85 and KMS 140 on the stage, it was only with the development of the KMS 105 in 1999 that Neumann first expanded into the vast field of live stage applications on a larger scale. Not long after- ward, this microphone became established as an internationally recognized standard in the area of live vocal microphones.

The demand for a wireless version became ever more press- ing. The natural use of the synergy effects of the parent company Sennheiser, which for years has been known as the best source of wireless technol- ogy, permitted the development of versions of the capsule head which can be used with the Sennheiser SKM 5000 wireless system. Neumann microphones can now be seen regularly on television at large concerts and television shows.

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