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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it?
Hi!
I've got two nearly identical Neumann M49c for testing. One is a rental one I really like and the other one is the mic I'm considering to buy. The one I'd like to buy sounds quiet nice but the rental M49 has much nicer high end and about 8db more output level. Does anybody have an explanation for that? Valve, caps, diaphragm? The dealer just replaced the diaphragm before I picked it up... Is the lack of high end and output level something that can be fixed? Or is it just one of many different characters that vintage mic have? Thanks for your input! Steve London, UK |
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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it
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#3
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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it
Yeah. They aren't identical. Don't buy the one you don't like. If the dealer said he just replaced the "diaphragm", that sounds like trouble. Either he doesn't know that it's called a "capsule" (or you don't, unless that's what they call it over there) and that it's something that should be replaced by a specialist. Well, I think he said capsule, it was my mistake, and he is very experienced in these things. He is one of the largest second hand dealers around (Funky Junk London). Maybe the dealer replaced it with a Chinese "diaphragm". It's hard for me to say with what capsule he replaced it. How do I know it's a original one anyway? Still, the mic sounds very nice and very close to the one I like. It's just the high end and level that's lacking. I can compensate that with my desk and come very close. But I thought someone could point out what is causing it in the first place. Could it be that it needs caps replacement, tube, etc.? thanks! Steve |
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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it
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#6
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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it
We are talking about 8db in level less than the other.
And I found that if I boost 15kHz (bell) by 3-4db on an G SSL EQ (HMF x3) I get a similar sound. Steve "Mike Rivers" wrote in message news:znr1059222250k@trad... In article writes: Still, the mic sounds very nice and very close to the one I like. It's just the high end and level that's lacking. Quantify, please. How much level is lacking, and how much high end (and at what frequency)? If you like the mic, buy it. If you're suspicious, investigate further. You aren't looking at a matched pair here, you're looking at two mics, almost certainly different production runs, perhaps with different components inside, and clearly a capsule of different age. They're different, so you can expect them to sound different. If you're talking about 10 dB difference in output level, something's wrong. If you're talking about 1 dB difference, don't worry about it. Could it be that it needs caps replacement, tube, etc.? Anything. That's why I suggested that you find out exactly what the seller knows about its repair history. -- I'm really Mike Rivers - ) |
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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it
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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it
(Mike Rivers) wrote in message news:znr1059249325k@trad...
In article writes: We are talking about 8db in level less than the other. That's a significant level difference. I don't know if there are any jumpers to select the output level/impedance (I'd expect them to be in the power supply) in the M49, but if there are, that could explain a difference on that order. Have you tried comparing the mics when connected to the same power supply (not at the same time, of course)? That might tell you whether the difference is in the microphone assembly or the power supply. And I found that if I boost 15kHz (bell) by 3-4db on an G SSL EQ (HMF x3) I get a similar sound. That's a substantial boost, but out where the mic's response starts to drop off. Still, I'd be concerned. Have you mentioned this to your dealer? What does he have to say? The output impeadance links are on the op transformer in the mic. The option is 50 or 200 ohms. The 200 ohm option will give a higher output into most modern preamps. The 50 ohm link is intended for use with long mic cables. The responce difference could be due to the capsule ageing . I believe the early capsules were made with pvc diaphagms that will dry out with age causing the HF resonance to rise. This is partly what gives vintage mics their sound. It is rare to find two vintage mics that sound the same. It is not uncommon for rental users to specify a particular vintage mic. Steve Lane |
#9
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Why does one Neumann M49 has less high end than the other? Can I fix it?
Jack Random wrote:
I've got two nearly identical Neumann M49c for testing. One is a rental one I really like and the other one is the mic I'm considering to buy. The one I'd like to buy sounds quiet nice but the rental M49 has much nicer high end and about 8db more output level. Does anybody have an explanation for that? Valve, caps, diaphragm? The dealer just replaced the diaphragm before I picked it up... Could be it's strapped differently, but the fact that the capsule has been rebuilt is maybe not a good sign. Who did the rebuild? Is the lack of high end and output level something that can be fixed? Or is it just one of many different characters that vintage mic have? Maybe, but if it just got a capsule rebuild done.... --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
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