NEUMANN M149 Studio Tube Microphone Instruction Manual

: June 16, 2024
: Neumann

Table of Contents

NEUMANN M149 Studio Tube Microphone
Introduction
Safety instructions
Brief description
Scope of delivery
Setup
Troubleshooting
Technical data and connector assignments
Selected Accessories (see photos in appendix)
Frequency responses and polar patterns
Disclaimer
Declaration of Conformity
References
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NEUMANN M149 Studio Tube Microphone

Introduction

This manual contains essential information for the operation and care of the product you have purchased. Please read the instructions carefully and completely before using the equipment. Please keep this manual where it will be accessible at all times to all current and future users. Additional information, in particular concerning available accessories and Neumann service partners, can always be found on our website: www.neumann.com. Information about service partners can also be obtained by telephone: +49 (0) 30 / 41 77 24 – 0. The following related files are available in PDF format in the Downloads section of our website www.neumann.com: Operation with Unbalanced or Center Tap Grounded Inputs Some Remarks on Microphone Maintenance The Neumann online forum on our website enables Neumann users worldwide to share their experiences. Through its integrated archive function, the forum has developed into an extensive knowledge pool.

Safety instructions

The microphone and the accompanying power supply equipment have the intended purpose of converting acoustic signals into electrical signals. Connect the microphone only to power supply equipment that has been approved by Neumann for this purpose. Connect the output of the power supply equipment only to devices that have an input that is suitable for microphones. Repairs and servicing are to be carried out only by experienced, authorized service personnel. Unauthorized opening or modification of the equipment shall void the warranty. High operating voltages are required for the tube in the microphone. Contact with the voltages present in the interior of the device can result in injury or death; therefore, the microphone and power supply must be opened only by authorized, qualified personnel. The microphone must be operated only with the supplied microphone cable or with a cable of the same type. Since hazardous voltages are generated by the power supply that can result in injury or death, always ensure that the microphone cable used is undamaged. Damaged cables must no longer be used, and must be disabled to prevent injury to persons as a result of accidental use. Use the equipment only under the conditions speciﬁed in the “Technical data” section. Allow the equipment to adjust to the ambient temperature before switching it on. Do not operate the equipment if it has been damaged 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 under the regulations applicable to the respective country.

Brief description

The M 149 Tube is a condenser studio microphone with transformerless circuit technology. The microphone has the selectable directional characteristics omnidirectional, cardioid, wide-angle cardioid, hypercardioid and ﬁgure-8, as well as four additional intermediate characteristics. Key features include extremely low self-noise, an extensive dynamic range and the full, rich, warm sound of the tube. Typical applications of this universally applicable microphone include dubbing, broadcasting, and vocal and instrumental recording. With its ﬁne sound character gradations, the microphone is particularly suitable for vocals and broadcasting.

Scope of delivery

M 149 Tube Single

M 149 Tube Microphone
Operating manual
Wooden box

M 149 Tube

M 149 Tube Microphone
N 149 A power supply unit with power cable
EA 170 elastic suspension
KT 8 microphone cable
Dust cover
Operating manual
Aluminum case

Setup

Mounting the microphone
Attach the microphone to a stable, sturdy stand. Use an elastic suspension, if necessary, 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 threaded nut. 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 voltage can damage the microphone!

Attach the microphone only to power supply equipment which has been approved by Neumann for this purpose.

Caution: Very loud noise can damage loudspeakers or your hearing!

Minimize the volume of connected playback and recording equipment before connecting the microphone and the power supply unit. Ensure that the power supply unit is switched off. Using the supplied 8-pin microphone cable, connect the microphone to the microphone input of the power supply unit. Up to approximately 300 m, the total distance from the microphone to the subsequent amplifier input does not affect the frequency response. However, the length of the cable between the microphone and the power supply unit should not exceed 100 m. A sensor compensates for the drop in the supply voltage. Using a suitable cable, connect the output of the power supply unit to the microphone input of the audio equipment to be used for further processing. Information concerning connector assignments can be found in the “Technical data” section. The power supply unit can also be connected without diﬃculty to an input in subsequent equip-ment that has 48 V of phantom power. However, the phantom power is not required. In this case, there will be a load current of approximately 1 mA.

Using the supplied connecting cable, connect the power supply unit to the power supply line. Ensure compliance with the instructions in the separate operating manual for the power supply unit. When connecting the cables, ensure that the connectors are locked correctly. Run the cables in such a way that there is no risk of tripping over them. Switch on the power supply unit. A sensor in the power supply unit will ensure that the operating voltages are not activated until the microphone is connected and operational. The switch light of the power supply unit, instead of glowing faintly, will then begin to shine brightly. After a few minutes, the tube in the microphone will achieve a stable operating condition, and will then exhibit extremely low self-noise. The microphone is to be addressed primarily from the side on which the Neumann logo is located. Gradually increase the volume of the connected equipment. Set the gain of the connected equipment so that no distortion occurs at the highest sound pressure level.

Selecting the directional characteristic
There are nine selectable directional characteristics, which allow the microphone to be adapted to individual recording situations: omnidirectional, wide-angle cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid and ﬁgure-8, with an intermediate characteristic between each of these. The selection is made utilizing a slide switch on the front of the microphone, below the head grille.When the directional characteristic is changed, an increased noise level may occur for approximately 30 seconds. This does not indicate a malfunction but arises due to the electri-cal recharging of the microphone capsule to the appropriate bias.

Setting the high-pass filter
On the back of the microphone is a slide switch for a high-pass ﬁlter, with seven settings. The cutoﬀ frequency (−3 dB) can be selected in half-octave steps, from 20 Hz to 160 Hz. The high-pass ﬁlter can be used to suppress low- frequency interfer-ence (e.g. caused by impact sound or wind noise) or to compensate for the proximity eﬀect.

Suppressing noise interference
The frequency response of the M 149 Tube extends below 20 Hz. 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 a windscreen and/or popscreen is therefore recommended.

Sound 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.

Shutdown and storage
Before switching oﬀ the microphone or disconnecting the cables, reduce the volume of connected equipment. Only then should the power supply equipment be switched off. Disconnect the cables. When disconnecting a cable, always pull only on the connector and not on the cable itself. Microphones that are not in use should not be allowed to remain on the stand gathering dust. A microphone that is unused for a prolonged period should be stored under normal atmospheric conditions and should be protected from dust. For this purpose, use a lint-free, air-permeable dust cover or the original packaging of the microphone.

Troubleshooting

Technical data and connector assignments

Permissible atmospheric conditions:1)

Operating temperature range…………0 °C … +70 °C
Storage temperature range…………−20 °C … +70 °C
Humidity range…………………. 0 % … 90 % at +20 °C 0 % … 85 % at +60 °C
Acoustical op. principle…………..Pressure gradient transducer
Directional pattern………………………………….. Omni/wide-angle cardioid/cardioid/ hyper-cardioid/figure-8 and 4 additional intermediate patterns
Frequency range…………………………..20 Hz…20 kHz
Sensitivity2)……………………………. 34/47/62 mV/Pa3)
Rated impedance…………………………………..50 ohms
Rated load impedance………………………1000 ohms
Signal-to-noise ratio4), CCIR5) ………. 66/69/71 dB3) Signal-to-noise ratio),
A-weighted5) ………………………………… 78/81/83 dB3 Equivalent noise level,
CCIR5) …………………………………………..28/25 /23 dB3) Equivalent noise level,
A-weighted5) ………………………………16/13/11 dB-A3) Max. SPL (tube characteristic)6)
for THD < 0.5 %………………………………………. 120 dB
for THD < 5 %………………………………………….. 136 dB
Max. output voltage………………………………….18 dBu
Power supply………………………………………….N 149 A
Required connectors:
Microphone……………………………………………..DIN8F
Power supply unit…………………………………….XLR3F
Weight………………………………………….approx. 730 g
Dimensions………………………….. Ø 70 mm x 201 mm

94 dB SPL equiv. to 1 Pa = 10 μbar 0 dB equiv. to 20 μPa

The 8-pin connectors of the microphone and the power supply unit have the following pin assignments:

Pin 1: −70 V
Pin 2: +5 V
Pin 3: Modulation (+phase)
Pin 4: +70 V
Pin 5: Sensor line
Pin 6: Ground
Pin 7: +32 V
Pin 8: Modulation (−phase)

The 3-pin XLR output of the power supply unit has the following standard pin assignments:

Pin 1: 0 V/Ground
Pin 2: Modulation (+phase)
Pin 3: Modulation (−phase)

Circuit technology information
The operating point of the tube and the heating voltage are stabilized by a control circuit in the power supply unit. A sensor circuit detects and compensates for voltage drops in the microphone cable for cable lengths of up to approximately 100 m. Even a malfunction of this circuit due to a short circuit or interruption is not hazardous, since in this case the heating voltage is reduced and all other operating voltages are switched off. The tube is heated using inverse current limiting, thus ensuring a long service life.

All values for non-condensing humidity. The values are valid for clean and well-looked-after microphones or microphone capsules, respectively. Any kind of pollution of capsules and membranes may restrict the said values.
at 1 kHz into 1 ohm rated load impedance.
Polar patterns: omni/cardioid/figure-8
re 94 dB SPL
according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting according to CCIR 468-3, quasi-peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
THD of the microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL.

Selected Accessories (see photos in appendix)

Elastic Suspension
EA 170………………….ni………………Cat. No. 007271

Auditorium Hanger
MNV 87…………………ni………………Cat. No. 006804

Popscreen

PS 15…………………….blk…………….Cat. No. 008472
PS 20 a…………………blk…………….Cat. No. 008488

Power Supply

N 149 A EU……………blk…………….Cat. No. 008447
N 149 A US……………blk…………….Cat. No. 008446
N 149 A UK……………blk…………….Cat. No. 008448

Connecting Cable

IC 3 mt (10 m)………..blk…………….Cat. No. 006543
KT 8 (10 m)……………ni………………Cat. No. 008407

Adapter Cable

AC 25 (0.3 m)……………………………Cat. No. 006600

Meaning of colour codes: ni = nickel, blk = black

Detailed descriptions and additional articles can be found in our accessories catalog or at: www.neumann.com

Frequency responses and polar patterns

measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4), tolerance ± 2 dB

THE MICROPHONE COMPANY

Disclaimer

The product is sold “as-is” and the customer is assuming the entire risk as to the product’s suitability for his needs, its quality and its performance. In no event will Neumann be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the product or from its use in conjunction with any microphones /products from other manufacturers, even if advised of the possibility of such damages?

Declaration of Conformity

Georg Neumann GmbH hereby declares that this device conforms to the applicable standards and regulations. ® Neumann is a registered trademark of the Georg Neumann GmbH in certain countries.