Neumann

Symphony 440 Design Group is proud to be associated with Neumann, a Germany based manufacturer of professional studio microphones & Studio monitors. Their best-known products are condenser microphones for broadcast, live and music production purposes. For several decades Neumann was also a leading manufacturer of cutting lathes for phonograph disks.

Found in 1928, and headquartered at Berlin, Germany, Neumann’s Several products, introduced in the history of the company have gone ahead to become important milestones of professional audio technology. It is no accident that audio studios always list Neumann’s microphones and equipment at the top of the list due to their highly skilled operation.

A glance through the history:

Georg Neumann founded the company in 1928, with the world’s first commercially available condenser microphone, CMV 3. This 40 cm tall microphone had several interchangeable capsule heads which gave it different directional patterns. The microphones were often known as the “Neumann bottle” referring to their shape and size.

Georg Neumann relocated his company to the much smaller town of Gefell in Thuringia after his Berlin factory got damaged by Allied firebombing in November 1943. After the reunification of Germany, the company in Gefell, which had continued to use the Neumann name, became known as Microtech Gefell.

In 1949, Georg Neumann re-established his company as “Georg Neumann GmbH” in one of the Allied sectors of Berlin and began producing a new model of switchable pattern microphone, the U 47, based on the M 7 capsule of the earlier CMV 3 series. This microphone became the first condenser microphone to gain widespread acceptance in the recording industry worldwide.

Neumann product timeline:

1928	CMV3 or ‘Neumann Bottle’, the first-ever condenser microphone produced.
1930	1930 saw the Production of AM31, a recording machine for wax.
1933	Launch of R 21, a portable recording machine.
1949	Birth of MM 2 measuring microphone.
1949	1949 saw the introduction of the first switchable pattern condenser microphone, U 47.
1953	KM 53, a miniature microphone unveiled.
1955	Launch of KM 56 switchable miniature microphone.
1957	1957 saw the Production of SM 2 stereo microphone.
1960	KM 253 miniature microphone (HF proof) released.
1960	1960 saw the introduction of U 67 switchable condenser microphone.
1963	AK 3 mixing console released.
1964	SRM 64 long neck stage microphone unveiled.
1965	Launch of KTM transistor microphone for modulation lead powering.
1966	Production of KM 73 miniature microphone for modulation lead powering.
1967	1967 saw the introduction of U 871 switchable studio microphone.
1968	KMA clip-on microphone produced.
1971	KMS 85 handheld microphone released.
1973	Introduction KU 80 dummy head.
1974	1974 saw the Production of QM 69 quadrophonic microphone.
1978	KMR 82 I shotgun microphone unveiled.
1983	TLM 170 transformerless switchable studio microphone released.
1987	Birth of first stereo shotgun microphone, RSM 190 I.
1990	GFM 132 boundary layer microphone unveiled.
1995	1995 saw the introduction of now-legendary, M 149 studio tube microphone.
1999	Neumann honoured with Technical Grammy Award.
1999	Launch of KMS 105 stage microphone.
1999	1999 saw the introduction of KM 185 (Series 180) miniature microphone.
2002	Production of KK 105 S microphone head (SKM 5200/500 N)
2003	BCM 104 broadcast microphone released.
2003	Digital studio microphone D-01 unveiled.
2006	System KM A/D modular miniature microphone system released.
2010	2010 saw the Introduction of KH 120 A G two-way nearfield monitor.
2010	KMR 81 D digital shotgun microphone launched.
2011	KH 810 subwoofer with 7.1 bass management unveiled.
2014	KH 420 three-way midfield monitor launched.
2015	KH 805 subwoofer with 2.0/01 bass management released.
2017	KH 80 DSP A G two way nearfield monitor launched.
2017	U 87 Rhodium edition released commemorating 50 years of the Rhodium series.
2018	2018 saw the introduction of Neumann U 67 studio tube microphone set.

Special technologies:

Elliptical Mathematically Modelled Dispersion (MMD) waveguide: MMD wave guide provides a smoother off-axis response with more forgiving of diverse acoustical environments.

Extremely Linear Force Factor (ELFF) technology: ELFF technology provides for magnetic shielding, and a flow-optimized die-cast basket for reduced air noise and improved rocking modes.

Neumann Microphone series:

Neumann provides a variety of microphone products based on the necessity: Recording or live sound for vocals, acoustic guitar, low strings, high strings, brass, piano, etc.

Studio-grade Neumann stage microphone:

These products, like those of KMS series, feature the cardioid pickup pattern with excellent feedback rejection. Due to superior studio-quality condenser capsule, these are best preferred by vocalists.

Home studio Neumann microphones:

These are known for their small size but big sound studio set. Among the TLM series, Neumann TLM 102 microphone gained considerable recognition for its Neumann quality at an affordable price. With very low self-noise, Neumann TLM 102 handles extreme SPLs without distortion. Neumann TLM 102 combines technical excellence with a beautifully balanced sound for vocals, guitars and drums.

Professional recording studio microphones:

These provide ultimate studio standards and are the most widely used studio microphones for over 50 years. Among them, Neumann U 87 studio microphones are the most frequently used for their smooth and refined sound. With an elegant exterior design, Neumann U 87 provides a balanced frequency response in three polar patterns and has set the benchmark for recording quality worldwide.

Miniature microphone:

Miniature microphones (Series 180) is the state-of-art small-diaphragm condenser microphone with omnidirectional pickup pattern. With low self-noise and high SPL capability, these Neumann microphones are ideal studio standards for many applications ranging from classical piano to heavy metal drums.

Studio tube microphone:

The studio tube microphones are the Neumann vintage series with the classic sound. With the tube electronics of very low self-noise, its transformerless output stage ensures outstanding performance at an attractive price. M 147 tube is one of the best among Neumann’s tube microphones, for they bring back the classic sound of legendary U 47.

Neumann studio monitors:

Nearfield monitor:

Nearfield monitors can be either two way or three way with bi-amplification or tri-amplification, respectively.

These compact, highly efficient Neumann KH120 & KH80 Studio monitors provide precise dispersions optimized for nearfield applications. Designed with MMD (Elliptical Mathematically Modelled Dispersion) waveguide and ELFF (Extremely Linear Force Factor) technology, these are suited for precise work with speech, vocals, guitars and other instruments.

Midfield monitor:

Neumann KH 310 Midfield monitors are tri-amplified studio monitors used for high precision dispersion with tremendous sound level reserves. Designed using Low Resonance Integral Molding (LRIM) materials, these Neumann KH 310 Studio Monitors provide for extraordinary bass depth with high sound pressure.

Subwoofer:

Neumann offers KH810 subwoofer with 7.1 bass management offering deep bass response with high SPL.

Popular reviews on Neumann microphones:

Neumann TLM 102:

“The new Neumann TLM 102 embodies everything we’ve come to expect from large-diaphragm Neumann microphones. Unlike some other established microphone manufacturers, Neumann has resisted the urge to produce cheaper models by building them in the Far East. Still, their TLM range does at least contain some mics that fall into the category of ‘affordable’ — aimed at the wider project?studio market as well as a professional studio and broadcast applications.”

-Paul White, Sound On Sound

Neumann U 87:

“A studio large-diaphragm condenser mic, the U 87 connects via a regular XLR cable and requires 48V phantom power. That’s about where it ends in terms of things it has in common with other mics. Well, I suppose that’s not true. You still set it up and adjust it the same way. Sound still goes in, and the signal comes out, but man, what a signal. This Neumann U87 is the classic mic for vocals of any sort.”

-Review by Hear the Music

Being an authorized dealer of Neumann in India, Symphony 440 Design Group provides original, prime Neumann microphones, Studio Monitors, Headphones and subwoofers at an attractive price.

With qualified Sound engineers in the core team, Symphony 440 Design Group provides genuine, technically sound suggestions for recording studio build and equipment purchase.

Neuman range of Studio Products can be shipped free of transportation cost to any location in India including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mysore, New Delhi and Ludhiana.