10 years after the development of the ubiquitous U47, the TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustic U48 was released with one variation to the U47; it had "bidirectional" (figure 8) capability. The bidirectional capability can be very useful in more "ambient" recording environments where the engineer recording the sound does not want to hear as much of the room ambience as might be recorded with an omnidirectional or cardioid pick-up pattern.
According to the book Recording The Beatles, the U48 was one of George Martin's favorite microphones when actually recording The Beatles. Utilizing the same M7 capsule, BV8 output transformer and VF14K vacuum tube as TELEFUNKEN’s historic reissue of the U47, the U48s authoritative mid-range and extended low-end response make the microphone an excellent tool for recording vocals and acoustic instruments, both near and far.
Each U48 microphone comes complete with M940 power supply, M840 25’ dual-shielded ACX-7 tube microphone cable, M740 elastic shock mount, FC40 locking flight case and WB40 wooden microphone box.
In the Box: Locking flight case, power supply, wooden mic box, clasping shock mount, 25' Accusound quad-shielded cable with swivel connector
Specifications:
- Type: Condenser pressure gradient
- Capsule: M7
- Frequency Rang: 20Hz / 20kHz
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid and figure 8
- Sensitivity: 24.5 mV/pa +/- 1 dB
- THD at 1kHz at 1Pa: <0.3%
- Output Impedance: <400 ohms
- Maximum SPL: 127dB
- Non Linear Distortion: ≤0.5% at 100 dyne / cm sq
- Self Noise: 9.5dBa +/- 1dB
- Tube Type: VF-14K
- Power Type: Dedicated, American-made power supply with slow-ramping filament voltage
- Size: 9 3/4" (248mm) length x 2 1/4" (57mm) diameter
- Weight: 22oz (624g)
- Supply Current: <45mA
- Connected Via: Large Tuchel/Historic stand mount swivel, XLR-3 (M) output