The legend

• the U47 is regularly used all over the world up to today in professional productions due to its excellent sound characteristics
• first condenser microphone with switchable polar patterns (omni, cardioid)
• capsules: M7 (glued diaphragm) or K47 (screwed diaph.)
• VF14M tube, BV-08 output transformer
• low self-noise (ca. 14 dBA)
• sound characteristics (with M7): flat frequency response in the bass and mid-range; typical high frequency boost above 9 kHz
• powerful, clear sound with graceful character of its own
• more aggressive tone than the Neumann M49
• serviced by A. Grosser & A. Stenzel. M7 reskin by R. Vetterlein
• two specimens with M7 capsules available for hire
• manufacturing period: 1949-1963

Favourite applications: the studio standard microphone for vocals (Beatles, Frank Sinatra … ); also suitable for acoustic guitar, piano, upright bass, sax (J. Coltrane), room