Since its original development in 1946, the TELEFUNKEN U 47 has been the microphone of choice for generations of recording professionals. The first condenser microphone to offer selectable polar patterns (cardioid and omni), the original U47 also featured the famous M7 capsule which had been developed in 1928 by Georg Neumann. To this capsule was added an amplifier built from military surplus VF-14 tubes (they had been used in field and aircraft radios), and BV8 output transformer. The combination of these components created a sonic quality that was absolutely unheard of in the English speaking world of the mid-1940s when darker sounding, less detailed ribbon microphones were the standard. The introduction of the U47 brought a new level of fidelity to the audio world, and is still considered to be one of the finest microphones ever produced.

Upon first glance of the new U47 from TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, it's easy to see the "family resemblance." The large, chrome head grille houses our newly manufactured M7 capsule. Its matte nickel finished body houses a new BV8 output transformer and our new VF-14k vacuum tube; a "plug and play" replacement for the rare VF-14M tubes found in the original. The classic "TELEFUNKEN" diamond logo proudly adorns the front of the body tube. All of these accoutrements show that this microphone means business.

Whether you're recording a symphony, a "crooner," or any facet of modern music, you'll find a great tool in the U47. Its authoritative mid-range and extended low-end response dance from your ears . . . much as a vintage wine dances from the palate. Everything, from vocals to the loudest of guitar sounds, full on orchestral recording, beautiful backing vocal arrangements, or a chamber ensemble will benefit wildly from the rich and vibrant tone of this stunning microphone.

Find out why engineers, producers, and artists all over the globe have made the new U47 from TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik their go-to microphone. Contact one of our resellers to request a demo.

10 years subsequent to the release of the ubiquitous U47, the U48 was released with one variation to the U47; it had "bi-directional" (figure 8) capability. While the head assembly from a U47 can be fitted to a U48 amplifier, the same does not work in reverse.

According to the book Recording The Beatles, the U48 was one of George Martin's favorite microphones when actually "recording the Beatles". The bi-directional capability can be very useful in more "ambient" recording environments where the engineer recording the sound does not want hear as much of the room ambience as might be recorded with an omni-directional or cardioid pick-up pattern.

A microphone's capsule is often made of two sides. The front diaphragm will produce a cardioid response, as will the rear. When the two diaphragms are polarized in the same polarity an "omni-directional" effect is achieved. When they are polarized in opposite polarity a figure 8 pattern is created.

This is not an acoustic pattern creation; it is an electronic pattern creation. All microphone capsules are omni-directional in the low frequency regions of their response. As you climb the frequency spectrum the capsule will have a more directional response.

When you have two identical diaphragms with identical voltage to those diaphragms you will have a smooth "omni-directional" response. When those voltages are reversed, an electronic cancellation of common information is achieved; the result is two "lobes", one on the front of the microphone, one on the rear of the microphone, with full frequency cancellation through the frequency range achieved through electronic cancellation.

Manufacturing