This German manufactured range includes both detachable and non-detachable capsule studio condenser microphones, ultra-linear ‘measurement’ microphones, plus boundary layer designs – all offering both excellent performance and value for money.
The MBNM 550 E-L is a completely linear, omnidirectional reference standard microphone. Offering calibrated frequency response within 1dB of a straight line from 20Hz to 20kHz, the primary application for this model is for evaluation, testing and calibration of other electro-acoustic systems. Many engineers however prefer to use the neutral response that such a small-diaphragm electret capsule can provide for many other audio pickup applications. The MBNM 550 E-L is particularly suited to pickup sounds where sound colour balance is essential – solo musical instruments or singers (solo or choir), for example.
A 5mm diameter electret capsule is matched with special electronics which operate from phantom power. Standard 21mm diameter mounting accessories may be used, yet the forward half of the microphone housing is only 12.8mm in diameter. This contributes through reduced diffraction to the microphone’s excellent linearity at all frequencies, and also presents an unobtrusive visual profile. The MBNM 550 E-L is supplied with an individual performance certificate showing the response of the microphone. Tolerance in sensitivity between any two microphones is ±1.5dB max., in reference applications it is recommended for accuracy to recalibrate equipment if mics are exchanged. Output impedance is 500 ohms. Power: 10–48 volts phantom (P48).
The MBNM 621 E-PZ uses the same 5mm electret capsule employed in the MBNM 550 E-L measurement microphone, mounted in a cantilever arrangement which places the diaphragm 1mm from the boundary. This assures that a pure presence response is provided, as the space between the diaphragm and boundary is a small fraction of the wavelength at any audio frequency. The MBNM 621 E-PZ has a wide range of applications in both music and speech recording. It is particularly useful for dialogue recording in discussion or groupwork, as it is effectively omnidirectional and not unduly sensitive to small changes in distance as people move around. Output impedance is 200 ohms. Power: 18–52 volts phantom (P48). Dimensions: 160mm(d) x 22mm(h).
OSS Jecklin Disk
Swiss recording engineer Jurg Jecklin has developed number of electro-acoustic inventions and adaptations of known techniques to new problems. One of his most interesting is the Optimum Stereo Signal (OSS) stereo recording technique. This is a version of the system suggested by Alan Blumlein in his pioneering early work in stereophony.
The original Jecklin OSS recording system uses a thick plastic disk covered on both sides with a foam sound-diffractive material. Omnidirectional microphones are mounted in the clamps provided, placing their diaphragm centres an equal distance from the centre of the disk. Sound pickup takes place without any further manipulation of the left and right signals; if a change in left-right or depth balance is required, the Jecklin array should be rotated slightly or moved. The Jecklin Disk is used with a pair of MBC 603/KA 100 DK or MBP 648/KA 100 DK microphones. The OSS disc is listed in the accessories section.
Combining the Jecklin Disk system with new developments in boundary microphone pickup produces the OSS-II stereo microphone. Two electret boundary microphones, similar to the MBNM 621 E-PZ, are mounted on a thin aluminium disk on either side of a half Jecklin Disk. Startlingly realistic stereo recordings may be made in a wide variety of conditions simply by placing the MBNM 622 E-PZ OSS-II system on the floor, or by attaching it to the ceiling. The OSS-II system is ideal for capturing live performances in stereo without any artificial manipulation of the image. The only adjustment to make is the distance and angle from the sound source to the microphone.
Frequency response versus angle of arrival is a complex function approximating that of the human head. Directional characteristics above 400Hz are quite different from the pure hemispherical coverage of the MBNM 621 E-PZ, also as a function of the Jecklin system. At low frequencies the Jecklin Disk has little effect and the pickup pattern becomes almost hemispherical. All of these response modifications are accomplished through interaction of the sound waves with the boundary and the Jecklin Disk; the microphones remain pure pressure transducers.
The OSS-II system is 300mm in diameter and the half Jecklin disk makes it 150mm high. As with the MBNM 621 E-PZ, the outputs are 200 ohm balanced from XLR connectors in the microphone housings, and external 18-52 volt phantom power is required.
Exceptionally high output level and low noise make the MBC 603 suitable for the most demanding low level pickup applications, yet the maximum sound pressure level is more than 130dB. Equivalent noise levels of 12 to 16dBA SPL assure that the microphone will faithfully reproduce the quietest passages without contributing significantly to the noise in the recording. With total dynamic range in excess of 115dB, the MBC 603 is truly a digital quality microphone. A balanced pair of selected transistors operating class A drives the output line directly. The microphone operates with phantom power from 9 to 52 volts, allowing a wide range of powering options to be used. An efficient internal DC-DC converter produces 60 volts polarization voltage for the capsule. Output impedance is <200 ohms. Power: 9–54 volts phantom (P48), 4mA.
A wide range of directional and response characteristics is available in the “Hundred” series capsules, including omnidirectional capsules for near and far field applications, two different cardioid response characteristics, plus hypercardioid.
| Pattern: |
Omnidirectional |
| Frequency response: |
20–20000Hz |
| Output level: |
1.0mV/µB (–60dBV) |
| Equivalent noise level: |
16dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
132dB |
KA 100 DK capsule
| Pattern: |
Omnidirectional, diffuse field optimised |
| Frequency response: |
20–20000Hz, response peak in the region 5000-8000Hz for good performance in the diffuse field |
| Output level: |
1.2mVµB (–58dBV) |
| Equivalent noise level: |
15dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
132dB |
| Pattern: |
Cardioid |
| Frequency response: |
40–20000Hz |
| Output level: |
1.6mV/µB (–56dBV) |
| Equivalent noise level: |
12dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
130dB |
| Pattern: |
Wide cardioid |
| Frequency response: |
20–20000Hz |
| Output level: |
6mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level: |
14dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
130dB |
| Pattern: |
Cardioid with bass roll-off |
| Frequency response: |
80–20000Hz |
| Output level: |
1.3mV/µB (–58dBV) |
| Equivalent noise level: |
14dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
131dB |
| Pattern: |
Hypercardioid |
| Frequency response: |
40–20000Hz |
| Output level: |
1.6mV/µB (–56dBV) |
| Equivalent noise level: |
12dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
130dB |
| Pattern: |
Figure of eight |
| Frequency response: |
40–16000Hz |
| Output level: |
5mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level: |
16dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
132dB |
| Pattern: |
Cardioid (large diaphragm) |
| Frequency response: |
20–18000Hz |
| Sensitivity (1kHz): |
9mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level: |
24dB |
| Maximum SPL: |
124dB |
| Pattern: |
Omnidirectional (large diaphragm) |
| Frequency response: |
5–20000Hz |
| Output level: |
5.5mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level: |
14dBA |
| Maximum SPL: |
132dB |
A large diaphragm studio condenser microphone with switch selectable omni, cardioid or figure of eight polar pattern. The 35mm diameter dual diaphragm is supported by a three point flexible fixing, minimising footfall and mechanical sound transmission. Dimensions: Body diameter: 21mm, head diameter 52mm, length 200mm. Output impedance is 200 ohms. Power: 6–48V 4.8mA.
A compact cardioid microphone and preamplifier just 85mm in length. Finished in non-reflective black with XLR connector, this microphone is ideal for use on stage or in areas of limited space. The microphone performance is independent of the phantom supply voltage, due to current switching circuitry. Supplied in pairs in a wooden box with clamp. Output impedance is 200 ohms. Phantom Power: 24V (2.5mA)–48V (1.8mA).
Accessories
Foam type windshield provides good protection from wind noise in outside recordings, and fits all microphones 20-22mm in diameter. Overall diameter 45mm, length 70mm.
Rigid nylon basket type windshield provides all the protection of the NB 110 while adding very effective suppression of breath noises for close vocal pickup. The MB 115 also provides additional low-frequency rejection for cardioid microphones
Jecklin OSS disk, complete with mic clamps.
Ordering note: For the interchangeable capsule 603 and 648 series, pre-amplifiers (MBP-) and capsules (KA-) are ordered separately. Microphones are supplied without stand clamps, which should be ordered separately as required - see microphone suspensions.