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Neumann M 150 Tube

Omnidirectional Tube Condenser Microphone

Intended as a modern recreation of the classic spherical-capsule M 50, the M 150 is also a tube mic with a fixed omnidirectional pickup pattern, designed primarily for ambient sound applications.

The M 50 introduced an innovative capsule design — by mounting a small-diaphragm capsule onto the face of a 4cm sphere, the resulting frequency response showed a smoother rise with increasing directionality in the mid-to-high frequencies. The M 150 Tube retains this basic design, but changes all the elements:

• The sphere in the M50 was a solid, high-density plexiglass/acrylic compound. The sphere in the M150 is the same size (4cm ø), but is hollow, and is made of a softer plastic compound.
• The M50’s capsule (initially and briefly PVC, then aluminum, then Mylar) is replaced here by a titanium capsule, model K 33 TI. As in the M50’s KK50, KK53, and KK83 capsules, the M150’s K 33 TI has an approximate diameter of 12mm. The titanium diaphragm measures 5 microns thick.

Both the diaphragm and housing of the new K33TI capsule are constructed of titanium. Otherwise, the K33TI is identical to the earlier K33 capsule, which used a thinner (~2.5-micron) nickel membrane. For more information, see Martin Schneider’s AES presentation on omnidirectional spherical capsules (sidebar).

The M 150 Tube, like Neumann’s TLM series, has a transformerless (op-amp based) output circuit. Neumann engineers cite numerous advantages of this design: reduced noise, reduced harmonic distortion, transparent amplification, high current output (allowing cable runs of 300m without signal loss).

The tube in the M150, as in the M147 and M149, is a dual triode model 6111, described by Neumann’s Martin Schneider as “military grade.”

The front grille of the M 150 is sloped, as on numerous other Neumann microphones. This design has the benefit of preventing standing audio waves between the diaphragm and the inside of the grille.

The M 150 Tube mic ships with the external power supply, “8-core” cable (p/n KT 8), suspension shockmount (p/n EA 170), and an aluminum flight case. It is also available in a matched stereo pair kit, with two shockmounts in a large aluminum suitcase.

The mic won a TEC Award in 2002.

Summary of distinguishing characteristics of Neumann’s spherical-capsule microphones

	M 50	TLM 50	M 150 Tube
Amplifier type	tube (AC701)	FET	tube (6111)
Capsule	KK83	AK 33 TI	K 33 TI
Diaphragm	Mylar	Titanium	Titanium
Output type	transformer	transistor	transistor
Grille	sloped	rounded	sloped
Only the latest version of each mic is indicated; for example, the M50 initially had a KK50 PVC diaphragm, and the TLM 50 had a K33 Nickel capsule. The AK 33 TI and K 33 TI capsules are believed to be identical, save for the presence of “active” electronics providing a first stage of amplification in the TLM 50.

The Neumann M 150 Tube is also known as: M150.

The mic was released in 2001.

Specifications

Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (20 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 12mm	50 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 114 dB Self-noise: 15.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
800g (28.22oz)	165mm (6.50'')	78mm (3.07'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Includes tube power supply

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