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The Neumann Model U 47
multi-directional condenser microphone

with a reference to the Schoeps M 201 in
the brochure at the bottom of this page

Neumann U 47 John Quimby

John Quimby

Hear the sound of a U 47 voiced by John Quimby.

Compare the sound of a Neumann TLM 103.

Sound files provided by Patrick Gregston

The Neumann Model U 47 was the first post-war mic produced by Georg Neumann GmbH in West Berlin. It was designed around a Telefunken-developed steel-cover radio tube, type VF14m. It became a bench mark mic in the early fifties, but was expensive at around $400. Engineers learned the sensitivity of the U 47 greatly enhanced the detail of their recordings.

Patrik Schindler writes: “This is wrong. All steel tubes of the 11…19-Series were a civil development from Telefunken, so it’s no military tube accord­ing to a Telefunken book from 1936 I’m owning. I can harden this fact be­cause German military had their own tube development with other naming schemes (famous RV12P2000, for example), so-called Wehrmachts­röhren. Thanks for accepting this correction.”

Thank you, Patrik. Corrections are always appreciated.

Louie Louie Frank Sinatra

Hear Mr. Sinatra advising the band
director during a recording session.

The U 47 is a popular vocal mic. There were many U 47s and U 48s used for the Beatles recordings. George Martin wrote that it is his favorite micro­phone. U 47s are pictured in abundance in the Beatles recording studio photos. Their aggressive sound makes them an excellent choice for many rock applications. Drums, guitar amps, and brass instruments shine when sitting behind a U 47.

Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken Telefunken
The following eleven images are from an eBay auction held during March, 2007. Here is the description as posted by the seller: “Up for auction is a Neumann U 47 microphone in mint condition, which has been rebuilt by Blue Microphones in Latvia. This is one of the very earliest U 47s that was salvaged from the radio stations in Georgia during the bombings in Russia. This mic is absolutely magnificent. The mic, power supply (the best supply Blue has built, which are no longer manufactured), ATA road case, and all accessories are in mint condition. The finish on the mic is flawless.”
Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47
Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Neumann U 47 Zac Roe U 47
Neumann U 47 with accessories Neumann U 47 box Neumann U 47 in case Neumann U 47 power supply Neumann U 47 label Neumann U 47 specification sheet Neumann U 47 specification sheet

 

U 47-48 instruction sheet

Download the Neumann U 47 and U 48 Instructions.

 

Telefunken brochure cover

Download the Telefunken brochure for the
Neumann U 47 and the Schoeps M 201.

 

The Schoeps M 200 and M 201 history page.
Choose English, German, or French
at the upper left corner.

Languages

 

Information about a fellow who manu-
factures replica Neumann microphones.

 

 

 

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