The TF39 and TF51 capturing vocals and guitar, respectively. Features include an all–brass K67-style capsule, new old stock (NOS) 5654 vacuum tube and a Swedish–made Lundahl output transformer. It features the same 6072A tube that Telefunken use in their 251 recreation (and their version of the closely related C12). I also liked the full sound I got from it as a mono drum mic, and I think a pair of these would make great overheads if a brighter cymbal sound was appropriate. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers. Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help! Telefunken ELA M 251E Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone, Music background: Full-time, professional musician, Music background: Multi-instrumentalist, producer. Achieve sonic opulence (without a second mortgage), Three polar patterns accommodate any recording task, A few examples of what you can do with this incredible mic, A glorious sounding reissue of a glorious sounding classic, Edge-terminated, dual backplate CK-12 capsule, 3 polar patterns: cardioid, omni, and figure-8, Includes locking flight case, lunchbox-style power supply, and wooden microphone box. Or download the hi-res WAV files in this ZIP file: telefunkenalchemyseriesaudio.zip. All three mics sound excellent and all give you that sense of confidence you get from using a high-quality valve microphone in a session. I say I was surprised, as my perception of the mic after using it for a while was that it was quite a neutral–sounding studio all-rounder. We also brought in the Neumann M149 as a similarly priced control. To learn more about our cookie policy, please check our Privacy Policy. With rare working-condition vintage '251s going for major ducats, this meticulous reissue is a no-brainer if you're after that uniquely smooth, present, and open sound you've heard on countless hits. There's a male singer I've recorded many times, for example, and I can often struggle to get his sibilance under control come mix time. It's very difficult to put into words how incredible this microphone is. Phone Hours | On acoustic guitar, it can be a little much if you stray too near the soundhole, but it's often not a bad option to have a little too much low-mid, as this can be very easily nudged out with some EQ later. Thank you for your request. It also has a softer top end than the other mics in the Alchemy range — rolling off very slowly above 5kHz — which makes it less modern sounding, but which also seemed to draw my attention to the low-mid range on sources such as acoustic guitars and vocals. Sonically, and component-wise, the two microphones are the same. So, Telefunken did something very intelligent: a meticulous reissue. Set your levels for peaks, then leave those faders alone and let the conductor balance the orchestra. No project is too big or small, so give us a call today and let's talk gear! It also sounded excellent as a mono mic on an upright piano, and used in its omni setting it had a lovely sense of space for a group backing vocal session. On the two female vocalists I used it on over the review period it sounded wonderful: perfectly balanced in the mid-range and with a bright but silky top end. Stock your mic locker with a classic: the Telefunken ELA M 251E. First Look: Pro Tools | Carbon. In use, the TF51 has a noticeably different character to the other mics in the range, feeling a bit leaner and with a more pronounced top end. This was the microphone that I was most excited to get my hands on, as its inspiration — the ELA M 251 — is not a mic you get to use very often, let alone entertain owning! As well as using the TF39 on several singers during the review period I got great, detailed results on acoustic guitar and in front of a guitar cab. They are available to offer you personalized product advice any time you need it. I was lucky enough to have three flavours from the Alchemy range to review — the TF39 Copperhead Deluxe, the TF47 and the TF51 — and I was looking forward to seeing how the microphones performed on some upcoming recording sessions I had at my studio. Perhaps not surprisingly, they all have a broadly similar feel, while still offering different perspectives on whatever it is you're recording. Sweetwater's Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. The files for this session are available on the SOS website. Rare working-condition vintage examples fetch well into the five figures, when you can even find one for sale. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. The TF39 is excellent value. These are serious microphones that come with price tags to match, towards the very top end of the new microphone market. Re: Why does Liam Gallagher's vocals sound shit? The modern incarnation of the company are best known for their Diamond series of mics, which are meticulously accurate reissues of classics such as the ELA M 251, the U47/48 and the C12. The TF51 on room-mic duty for a piano recording. Two singers, one mic: grab the Telefunken ELA M 251E, set it to figure-8, and you're good to go. I've been more critical of the TF47, but I think it should still be on your list of 'German–style' tube mics to audition, and its softer top end will appeal to some. This involves using two figure–8 mics positioned so that the deep nulls help prevent sound from the voice and guitar spilling into each other's mics too much. As with a U47, the TF47 works great as a mono drum room mic or overhead, where that softer top end pushes the cymbals back slightly and the mid-range boost can focus the snare. Everything you love about Sweetwater in the palm of your hand. Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! Used on a female vocal, the top end has that extended, modern feel, along with a very tasteful amount of bottom end. Whenever I put the Telefunken ELA M 251E in front of a singer or amp, I achieve the instant clarity and definition that can be so hard to obtain - not to mention gorgeous tone. With peaks at 3 and 10 kHz, you get a feeling of presence that nearly always feels smooth and musical, and it sounded excellent on a few different acoustic guitars I tried it on. Telefunken's newest range of mics combines vintage sound with modern styling. It won’t have the same sound as a … I honestly felt spoilt at times during this session, as having all three mics up on stands gave me such a useful set of options around the same high-quality theme. For this recording, all the mics were in their cardioid polar position, and it was a great way of observing both the similarities and differences between the three models. With that sense of presence or 'air', the TF51 seemed to offer me something I didn't have in my mic collection already, and I would love to try a pair as drum overheads as I think they would bring out the good parts of cymbals, while not clogging up the low–mids. Our Sales Engineers are a world-class team of music gear experts whose sole job is to provide you with helpful advice and unparalleled service completely free of charge. When I recorded a recent session with him using the TF39, however, it was a breeze to mix and the sibilance just wasn't an issue. Ginormous Val Garay-style toms (two racks and a floor): three '251s on cardioid, fairly close-in, just don't let the drummer hit the mics! It's also the cheapest of the three models. During this session, I employed a technique I like to use when recording someone singing and playing an acoustic guitar at the same time. I make a point of mentioning this, as how a mic performs in a setup like this — and how the mics' non-direct, off-axis sound performs — can be a good indicator of its quality. There are actually two mics that bear the Copperhead name: the Deluxe TF39 version, reviewed here, has a dual–membrane capsule which allows for cardioid, omni and figure-8 polar patterns.