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1. Introduction
This manual contains essential information for
the operation and care of the product you have
purchased. Please read the instructions careful-
ly and completely before using the equipment.
Please keep this manual where it will be accessi-
ble at all times to all current and future users.
Additional information, in particular concer-
ning available accessories and Neumann service
partners, can always be found on our website:
www.neumann.com.
2. Safety instructions
Before connecting the microphone please read
the included Safety Guide and Quick Guide! Also
available for download at www.neumann.com.
Connect the microphone only to the included
NM V pattern control unit.
Repairs and servicing are to be carried out only by
experienced, authorized service personnel. Un-
authorized opening or modification of the equip-
ment shall void the warranty.
Use the equipment only under the conditions spe-
cified in the “Technical data” section.
Allow the equipment to adjust to the ambient tem-
perature before switching it on.
Do not operate the equipment if it has been dama-
ged during transport.
Always run cables in such a way that there is no
risk of tripping over them.
Unless required for operation, ensure that liquids
and electrically conductive objects are kept at a
safe distance from the equipment and its connec-
tions.
Do not use solvents or aggressive cleansers for
cleaning purposes.
Dispose of the equipment in accordance with the
regulations applicable to the respective country.
3. Description
The M 49 V condenser microphone is a re-edition
of the legendary M 49 vacuum-tube microphone
which was produced from 1951 to 1971.
The circuitry features a triode vacuum tube and
the BV 11 transformer.
The re-edition was made possible by the fact that
all critical components could be used in original
form:
The K 47/49 capsule, a pressure-gradient dual-
diaphragm transducer with two gold-vaporized
membrane foils, a triode vacuum tube, which
needs to be carefully selected for use in a studio
microphone, and the BV 11 transformer, wound to
the original specifications.
The M 49 V microphone is delivered as a set in
a transport case, containing the M 49 V micro-
phone, the MZ 49 A elastic holder, the KC 5 micro-
phone cable, and the NM V pattern control unit.
Further, three mains cables are included, with EU,
UK and US mains connectors.
The M 49 V is a switchable large diaphragm studio
microphone with continuously variable polar pat-
terns. Thus, all patterns between omni-directio-
nal, cardioid, and figure-8 can be chosen.
The input stage is a vacuum tube (valve) with the
sound properties unique to this type of device.
The microphone has a transformer-balanced out-
put and is controlled by the NM V pattern control
unit.
When changing the directional characteristic, an
elevated noise floor may be noticed for a few se-
conds. This is due to the reloading of the capsule
to the appropriate polarization voltage.
The front of the microphone is designated by the
Neumann logo.
At the lower electrical cut-off frequency of 30 Hz
(-3 dB), a fixed high-pass filter takes effect in order
to attenuate very low frequency interferences.
The cut-off frequency can be lowered to 12 Hz
with an internal switch S4 in the microphone.
Likewise, for applications where only the cardio-
id pattern is used, the internal switch S2 sets the
microphone to cardioid-only mode. In this mode,
the pattern selector is inactive. Sensitivity is rai-
sed by ~2 dB, and the equivalent noise level redu-
ced by ~3 dB.
These switches inside the microphone are not
accessible to the user from the outside. For selec-
ting these options please contact our service at
www.neumann.com.
4. Delivery includes
M 49 V set
• Microphone M 49 V
• Pattern control unit NM V
• Microphone holder MZ 49 A
• Cable KC 5
• Mains cable
• Quick guide
• Safety guide
5. Getting Started
Mounting the microphone
Attach the microphone to a stable, sturdy stand.
Use an elastic suspension, for the mechanical
suppression of structure-borne noise.
For this purpose set the microphone into the inner
cage from above, and secure it to the inner cage
with the latch.
If required, use a windscreen or popscreen from
our range of accessories in order to suppress
wind or pop noise.
Connecting the microphone
Caution: An incorrect supply can damage the
microphone!
Attach the microphone only to the included NM V
pattern control unit with the KC 5 cable.
When hooking up the microphone, the order in
which the cables are connected does not matter.
Only then, the pattern control unit may be swit-
ched on.
When connecting the cables, ensure that the con-
nectors are locked correctly.
Within a few minutes, at the latest, the tube in the
M 49 V reaches its stable operating condition and
then evidences its low residual noise level. Exter-
nal phantom power, if present, does not detract
from the performance of the M 49 V.
Caution: Very loud noise can damage loud-
speakers or your hearing!
Minimize the volume of connected playback
and recording equipment before connecting the
microphone.
Using a suitable cable, connect the pattern con-
trol unit to the microphone input of the audio
equipment to be used for subsequent processing.
Gradually increase the volume of the connected
equipment
Set the gain of the connected equipment so that
no distortion occurs at the highest sound pressu-
re level.
To avoid any electrical shocks, never touch any
connector contacts when the pattern control
unit is switched on.
In any case, the 120 V DC voltage at pin 5 is
charge limited and thus not dangerous.
Suppressing noise interference
The frequency response of the M 49 V extends to
very low frequencies. The microphone is of course
correspondingly sensitive to low-frequency inter-
ference such as structure-borne noise and wind or
pop noise. Depending upon the situation, the use
of an elastic suspension, a windscreen and/or a
popscreen is therefore recommended.
Function test
Simply speak into the microphone. Do not blow
into the microphone or subject it to pop noise,
since this can easily result in hazardous sound
pressure levels.
