0% up to 48 Months on over 110 Brands!

New & Current Vintage King Card Holders

Shop Our Summer Sale

0% financing up to 48 Months on over 110 Brands!

When you shop now with your Vintage King Credit Card.

$ 8,995 .00
Your Savings: $ 1,349 .25 Msrp: $ 10,344 .25
or $375/month for 24 months 0% interest for 24 months. 24 equal monthly payments required. Learn more
Ships directly from Telefunken Elektroakustik
Note: This item may not be returnable or could require a restocking fee. Contact one of our Audio Consultants for more details. This item ships directly to you from the manufacturer. To ensure that the manufacturer currently has stock, please chat, call or email for the latest availability status.

SKU

12025

Please note: this item is available for purchase in the United States only.

Telefunken Elektroakustik U48 Tube Condenser Microphone

Large diaphragm M7 capsule formerly known as U48AE
MFR# U48

Product Description

TELEFUNKEN gave an already versatile microphone even more flexibility when the company launched the U48 large diaphragm tube microphone in the late 1950s, a decade after the manufacturer introduced its groundbreaking U47. Featuring the exact same vacuum tube, output transformer and capsule as the U47, the TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik U48 added a third polar pattern option, “bidirectional” figure-8, that gave recording engineers even more control over room ambience and instrument bleed than the omnidirectional and cardioid pickup responses.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik has had to go the extra mile to recreate the classic U47, the first condenser microphone to offer a choice of pickup patterns, and the U48. The military surplus VF14M vacuum tubes used in the original U47 amplifier are now hard to find and, as a result, are very expensive, so TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik has specially developed a plug-and-play replacement, the VF14K. The BV8 output transformer used in those original microphones has also been reengineered, using modern materials and manufacturing methods. Like the U47, the U48 featured Georg Neumann’s famous M7 capsule, developed in the late 1920s and used in various early microphone models, and that too has been reengineered for the company’s modern recreation of another timeless classic.

SWEET, DETAILED AND FOCUSED

The sweetness and high-end detail delivered by the combination of components in the TELEFUNKEN U47 were a revelation to many audiences in the late 1940s who were more accustomed to the darker, less transparent sound of that era’s standard ribbon mics. The U48 took the well-defined mid-range and extended low-end response of the U47 a step farther, adding the ability to focus on the source and null out unwanted ambience using the figure-8 polar pattern.

CHARACTER AND VERSATILITY

The sonic character and versatility of the U48 earned it high regard from engineers and producers, who considered it an ideal tool for tracking vocals and acoustic instruments. Indeed, according to historical accounts, the TELEFUNKEN U48 was George Martin’s favorite microphone to use on numerous recording sessions with the Beatles at Abbey Road Studios.

ACCURATE IN EVERY DETAIL

The U48’s newly manufactured M7 capsule is contained in a large, chrome head grille while the matte nickel finished body houses a new BV8 output transformer and the newly developed VF14K vacuum tube. Completing TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik’s accurate recreation of the U48 is the classic diamond logo on the front of the body tube.

Includes:

  • M 940H power supply
  • M 840TH 25-ft. Sommer tube microphone cable (vintage compatible 6-pin female Tuchel input, 3-pin male XLR output)
  • M 740 Rycote shockmount
  • FC40 locking flight case
  • WB40 wooden microphone box
  • M 940HS dual power supply
  • M840H historic U47/U48 mic cable (vintage compatible 6-pin male and female Tuchel)
  • FC40S stereo flight case
  • VF14K vacuum tube

Product Specifications

Condition New
Package Contents Includes 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
Length 240 mm
Diameter 60 mm
Unit Weight 620 g
Tube or Solid State Tube
Transducer Type Condenser
Polar Pattern Bi-Directional / Figure-Eight, Cardioid
Number of Microphones Single Microphone
Phantom Required No
Impedance 400 Ohms
Frequency Range 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 3 dB
Sensitivity -32.2 dBV/Pa (24.5 mV) ± 1 dB
Max. SPL 127 dB

Product Reviews

No one has written a review yet. Be the first!

* Required Fields

Share Your Opinion

The best gear advice always comes from those who use it the most. That's where you come in! Let the pro audio world hear your voice with a review of the Telefunken Elektroakustik U48 Tube Condenser Microphone . Once you submit your review, please check your email and verify your address to have it posted.

How do you rate this product?
I would like to thank VK for the wonderful sales assistance, service and prices. This was my first purchase with you and it won't be my last. I only wish I'd discovered you years ago!
Matthew R.
I had two Grammy wins this year - Ray LaMontagne & Carolina Chocolate Drops. Both made with help from Vintage King!
Ryan F.
In almost 20 years in Pro audio buying, never did I receive a unit so well packed and exactly as described. Works flawlessly. The whole process has been so smooth. I will never hesitate to do business with you guys in the future and will recommend you to everyone I know.
Martin C.
This was my first experience buying something from Vintage King (although I surf the "used" categories on the website frequently!), and, despite being on the other side of the world, I had absolutely no trouble and everything went very smoothly.
Phil T.
The speed of delivery exceeded my expectations! I was VERY pleased that my shipment arrived in time for a scheduled vocal tracking session. The packing insured that my order arrived safely. And the sales staff responded quickly to questions regarding the product.
James P.
Thank you so much! Vintage King has been so fair and easy to work with. I can't thank you enough. It feels good to trust such a hefty purchase to folks who are so helpful and knowledgeable. Vintage King is a sound designers dream store.
Noa L.
You guys have excellent customer service and I am excited about the next upgrade I complete on my fifth recording facility. I've been in the studio business for forty plus years. The salesman I worked with at Vintage King was the best of the best. You all rock!
Robby T.
I would recommend Vintage King to any one looking for top-class gear, unbeatable customer service and the best prices on the map!
Jake D.
My experience with Vintage King was excellent. The order was here fast considering it was out of stock. The sales person had SKB send it to me directly and I couldn't have been more pleased.
Michael D.
From the minute I placed my order I was kept well-informed through each step in your process. Even though I was buying a comparatively modest piece of gear, your attention to detail made me feel like I was purchasing a six-figure mixing desk.
Thomas W.
I am a new customer of yours. You guys provided me the absolute best deals in ordering all the equipment to power my brand new recording studio. Your customer service is amazing and i will always deal with you from here on out.
Rob M.
Thanks for your great service and getting this out today. You guys really are the Kings!
Alan B.
Better than expected! Truly impeccable service. Your team was professional, knowledgeable, provided speedy delivery above and beyond standard. Vintage King Audio is definitely my go to for all of my audio and information needs.
James O.