Neumann U 48 Tube Condenser Microphone #656 (Vintage)

Product Description

The most important variant of the U 47 is the Neumann U 48, released in 1957, (with some examples existing as early as 1950). Approximately 800 U 48s were made before the model was discontinued along with the U 47. The main difference between the two is that the U 47 is cardioid and omni, and the U 48 is cardioid and figure-eight (the "8" in the model name refers to a polar pattern variant on a U 47, and not to the production year). In cardioid mode, the mics are nearly identical, whereas the signal-to-noise ratio in figure-eight is higher, due to a low polarization voltage. The pattern is created by splitting the 105V supply voltage from the tube between both diaphragms, leaving 52.5v instead of the ideal 60v. George Martin sent Abbey Road's U 47s back to Berlin to be modified for figure-eight pattern, to take advantage of tracking harmony vocals on the same mic at the same time. These mics were changed by Neumann to indicate U 47/48 model number.

HISTORY

The Neumann U 47 is the granddaddy of large diaphragm condensers, with a justifiably legendary sound. It was the first post-war mic produced by Georg Neumann GmbH in West Berlin. Built around a World War II military radio tube with a capsule design from 1929, it became a benchmark mic in the early fifties. Engineers found out quickly that the sensitivity of the U 47 greatly enhanced the detail of their recordings. And the combination of head grille, diaphragm, tube and output transformer created a magical tone that has reproduced the vocals of virtually every famous singer in recent music history.

The U 48 is essentially the same as the U 47, except that it does cardioid and figure-of-eight patterns. The figure-eight capability of the U 48 made it a favorite mic for recording the vocals of the Beatles. In many cases, John and Paul would both sing simultaneously into opposite sides of the same mic. This may have made it easier to be sparing with the use of mic inputs to the console, but it also forced the duo to match each other vocally, as their voices could not be separated afterward. As we all know, they easily rose to this challenge. 

The single-mic technique became so prevalent on Beatles recordings, that Abbey Road sent several U 47 mics back to Neumann to have them retrofitted as a U 48, (since the U 47 could only do cardioid and omnidirectional). These mics were famously branded as U 47/48's The U 48 also saw a great deal of use for the recording of acoustic and electric guitars on the Beatles sessions until the Revolver-era saw a switch to the Neumann U67.