Hear The Gear: Telefunken Elektroakustik TF51, TF47, & TF11 FET Microphones

Telefunken Elektroakustik plays an incredibly important role in the history of condenser microphones, as they've helped create some of the most recognizable designs in our industry. While the brand still makes highly accurate replicas of icons like the U 47 and ELA M 251E, they have also created the outstanding Alchemy Series.

When designing the Alchemy Series, Telefunken set out to create fresh takes on the classic German condenser and use modern tech to make a more affordable microphone. The result is six mics that bring unique flavors to the studio, including the TF51, TF47, TF11 FET, TF17 FET, TF39 Copperhead Deluxe, and TF29 Copperhead.

In our new Hear The Gear, we're exploring the world of the Telefunken Alchemy Series and rolling deep into the studio with the TF51, TF47, and TF11. Read on below to learn what makes each of these microphones a standout, and then hear all three in use on drums, vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, and piano.

Telefunken Elektroakustik TF51, TF47, and TF11 FET

Telefunken Elektroakustik TF51

Striking a balance between the ELA M 251E and C12, the TF51 captures all the important details while offering a smooth midrange and airy top end. It's an absolutely perfect microphone option for anything in the studio, but much loved on vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano.

Spec Check
Type: Vacuum Tube Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Figure-8
Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±3 dB
Power Source: External Power Supply
Capsule: TK51 Edge Terminated Large Diaphragm
Tube: TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik 6072A
Transformer: Haufe T31
Sensitivity: 19 mV/Pa, ±1 dB
THD at 1kHZ at 1Pa (Amplifier): < 0.4%
Output Impedance: < 300 Ω
Maximum SPL (for 1% THD): 128 dB
S/N Ratio: 86 dBA
Self Noise (Amplifier): 8 dBA

 

Telefunken Elektroakustik TF47

Telefunken has created another unique blend of classic mics with the TF47. This condenser microphone draws inspiration from the U 47 and M 49, and utilizes a brass K47-style capsule, NOS 5840W tube and custom made BV8 transformer. The result is a warm sound that offers some low end heft, but keeps the top end sounding delicate.

Spec Check
Type: Vacuum Tube Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Figure-8
Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±3 dB
Power Source: External Power Supply
Capsule: TK47 Center Terminated Large Diaphragm
Tube: NOS Philips/Raytheon 5840W
Transformer: TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik BV8
Sensitivity: 22 mV/Pa, ±1 dB
THD at 1kHZ at 1Pa (Amplifier): < 0.3%
Output Impedance: < 300 Ω
Maximum SPL (for 1% THD): 125 dB
S/N Ratio: 84 dBA
Self Noise (Amplifier): 10 dBA

 

Telefunken Elektroakustik TF11 FET

One of the newer additions to the Alchemy Series, the TF11 is a compact fixed cardioid FET condenser microphone. This mighty mic can handle high SPL well, making it an obvious choice for louder sources like guitar amps and drums. Engineers can expect a silky top end and a powerful midrange with the TF11.

Spec Check
Type: FET Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±3 dB
Power Source: +48V Phantom Power
Capsule: TK51S – Edge Terminated Large Diaphragm, Single Membrane
Transformer: OEP/Carnhill T218
Sensitivity: 14 mV/Pa, ±1 dB
THD at 1kHZ at 1Pa (Amplifier): 0.005%
Output Impedance: < 200 Ω Maximum SPL (for 1% THD): > 135 dB
S/N Ratio: 90 dBA
Self Noise (Amplifier): 4 dBA

 

Telefunken Elektroakustik TF11, TF47, & TF51 Sound Samples

Vintage King's in-house engineer Bryan Reilly tracked the following examples at the Scramble Shack, using the same signal chain for each. Each sound sample features the Telefunken microphones set to cardioid, running into an API 3124V, then hitting a BURL Audio BAD4 card. Let's check out all three microphones on the sources below.

 

 

Drum Overhead

For the drum samples, Bryan recorded three different performances. In each take, all three mono Telefunken microphones are hung 6’ above the center of the kit. The variation in each take is the amount of saturation on the API3124V preamp. There is a clean pass, a mild saturation pass, and a heavy saturation pass.

 

Vocals

Vocalist Mike Leslie contributes three different performances for these sound samples of the Telefunken TF11, TF47, and TF51. All of the examples were recorded right in the live room at the Scramble Shack.

 

Electric Guitar

When tracking electric guitar, Bryan used all three microphones at once to capture his performance on a Les Paul Traditional Pro and a 1974 Fender Twin. The microphones are positioned in the center of the cone between the center and edge of the speaker.

 

Acoustic Guitar

In the acoustic guitar examples below, Bryan used all three microphones at once to mic a performance on his Martin X Series. The Telefunken mics were all lined up next to each other, and are aimed between the soundhole and neck of the guitar.

 

Piano

For the final sound samples, Bryan tracked his 1920s Steinway baby grand piano with the TF11, TF47, and TF51. All three microphones were lined up outside the piano's shell, positioned in the middle, and pointed toward the center of the soundboard.