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Jack Random
 
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Default 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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Steve Rhodes
 
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Default 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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Steve
 
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Default 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
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Scott Dorsey
 
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Default 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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