Neumann U47 FET Microphone
Where Neumann no longer had parts (the transformer, for example) they went to their original suppliers and had components remanufactured. The result is a stunning new microphone identical in all respects to the original but at a lower price than crusty, nicotine-yellowed originals have been selling for.
So, how does it sound and what are the suggested applications? Well, surprisingly, the sound is extremely close to the ubiquitous U47 tube (which go for crazy money, particularly in the US). Sure, received wisdom is that engineers use a U47 FET for kick drum or double bass, but in truth it’s an extremely high quality multi-pattern mic, superb on vocals and instrument spot micing ‚as always, the rule is, if it sounds good, it is good. So if you have always craved a tube 47 but never had the funds, give the FET version serious consideration, particularly if you have a tube mic preamp or (ideally) limiter in the vocal chain to add a touch of fullness and body.
Highly recommended.
I am a sad person who gets excited by sad things and this, sadly, excited me enormously… Neumann have REISSUED a limited quantity of the classic U47 fet mic. This is NOT a copy, a clone, a different version or…a rip-off.
We’ve checked it out, and it’s 100% pukka. What’s more, the price is LESS than battered used versions are currently being sold for and oodles less than US Vintage dealers charge.
The U 47 fet was first manufactured from 1972 to 1986, and since then has been firmly established in the range of microphones used by many well-known studios. In addition to serving as a soloist microphone, it has become legendary especially for the recording of bass-heavy instruments and for the direct miking of loud amps.
The U 47 fet Collectors Edition is a new edition of this classic, issued in the year 2014. For this, Neumann has resumed production of this classic mic, according to the original production documents and schematics. It is supplied with a high-quality wooden case with sophisticated special packaging, and an individual certificate with the serial number of the microphone.
In terms of technical design, the U 47 fet is a condenser microphone with a cardioid directional characteristic and fet 80 circuit technology. Among other things this technology, also used in the U 87, is characterized particularly by a wide dynamic range. The K 47 double large-diaphragm capsule was already employed in the U 47, the legendary tube-based predecessor of the Neumann U 47 fet. The K 47 provides a slight boost in the range above 2 kHz.
If required, a switchable low-cut filter raises the lower cutoff frequency electronically from 40 Hz to 140 Hz, thus suppressing undesirable low frequencies (such as impact sound and wind noise), or serving to compensate for the proximity effect. Switchable attenuation can reduce transmission levels by 10 dB, facilitating the processing of very high sound pressure levels of up to 147 dB. In addition, to prevent overloading of the connected preamp, the output signal can be reduced by 6 dB via a switch on the bottom of the microphone.
In order to ensure stable positioning, the microphone is swivel-mounted on an integrated bracket. The bracket stand connector has 5/8″-27 internal thread, with an adapter for 1/2″ and 3/8″ threads. The microphone cable can be secured at the side of the stand connector, by using the knurled nut to fasten it in the slot (for cable diameters of up to 5 mm). The microphone is available in classic nickel.
Specifications
- Acoustical operating principlePressure gradient transducer
- Directional patternCardioid
- Frequency range40 Hz … 16 kHz
- Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm8 mV/Pa
- Rated impedance150 ohms
- Rated load impedance1 kohms
- Equivalent noise level, CCIR1)25 dB
- Equivalent noise level, A-weighted1)18 dB-A
- Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR1) (rel. 94 dB SPL)69 dB
- Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted1) (rel. 94 dB SPL)76 dB
- Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%2)137 dB
- with preattenuation147 dB
- Max. output voltage for THD < 0.5 %-3.3 dBu
- Power Supply (IEC 61938)P48
- Current consumption0.5 mA
- Required connectorXLR 3 F
- Weight710 g
- Diameter63 mm
- Length160 mm