Telefunken Elektroakustik has announced two new small-diaphragm miking system configurations, the M60 Deluxe Tri-Mono and M61 Omni Tri-Mono. Each features three matched M60 FET microphones with TK61 omni capsules and 40mm diffuse field spheres. The M60 Deluxe Tri-Mono Set also includes matched TK60 Cardioid capsules.
Telefunken’s three-microphone sets are capable of matched stereo and Decca-tree recording configurations. In combination with additional matched pairs, the configuration is intended for multichannel immersive audio capture. The M60 amplifier’s proprietary circuit topology produces an exceptional transient response and SPL handling. This ultra clean, true class-A discrete amplifier has a frequency response of ±2dB from 20Hz to 50kHz, making it well suited to classical and orchestral recording, in both small and large performance areas.
The M60 is a re-interpretation of the classic FET mic amplifier, featuring carefully selected and tested components that are hand-plugged into gold-plated circuit boards. The output is matched with a custom US-made transformer that offers an especially low self-noise and a typical THD+N of 0.015% or better for critical recording applications.
The three-microphone Decca tree configuration that was made famous with classical music recordings in the 1950s featured three M50 omni microphones positioned in a reverse ‘T’ shape, most often located over the conductor’s head. The most common Decca Tree set-up employs three 1m bars from which the microphones hang in a triangle configuration, though larger and smaller bar sets can be used.
The capsule assembly of the historic M50 featured a 40mm acrylic sphere which was actually a ‘diffuse field sphere’ built into the microphones capsule assembly. Telefunken Elektroakustik has created removable diffuse field spheres as an accessory for the small diaphragm M60 FET and ELA M 260 tube microphones.
The addition of a diffuse field sphere is the most organic way to combat both effects; reducing the loss of high frequencies as well as minimising the reverberant information. The sphere is an accessory that attaches to the capsule end of the microphone, which effectively makes the microphone’s diaphragm part of the sphere as the sphere changes the shape of the transduction capsule. The result is a gradual and smooth rise in upper midrange and high frequency information captured on axis by the microphone.
