German studio specialist Neumann.Berlin has announced a reissue of its legendary M 49 studio microphone.
Since its introduction in 1951, and with its continuously remote controlled polar pattern, the M 49 has revolutionised studio technology and its sound has graced countless recordings. As a result, the M 49 has seen great demand not only among collectors, but also as a vital recording tool.
The M 49 V is a reissue according to original specifications and design documents from the Neumann archive. It uses the same circuitry as the last and most popular historical revision, the M 49 c, but with an even lower noise, hand-selected subminiature tube, Neumann says.
“In our field tests, even renowned microphone experts could not detect any difference in sound,” explains portfolio manager Sebastian Schmitz. “In timbre and dynamic behaviour, the M 49 V is identical to a historic M 49 in top condition. The circuitry and acoustic design have been adopted from the M 49 c. And the most important component, the classic K 49 large diaphragm capsule, has been manufactured by Neumann with no changes since the 1950s – what company could claim anything like that?”