Lawson
Lawson L47MP Mk II
Large-diaphragm tube condenser, continuously variable pattern (omni to figure-8) set on the power supply, with a cardioid-only switch; a reproduction of the M7 capsule of the Neumann U 47
Power External tube power supply, 100/120/200/220/240 V AC (factory set); phantom power not needed.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −38.9 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 22 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 16%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 15%
- Max SPL
- 128 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 15%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 13%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1997
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 2% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 21% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
2 of 3; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Figure 2, OMNI row; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated; the graph is marked "MLSSA" (the measuring system).
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Figure 2, OMNI row; each frequency drawn on one side only (red 125 Hz to 4 kHz (left); blue 8 kHz, orange 16 kHz (right)), taken as symmetric. Rings 0 to -20 dB in 5 dB steps; 0° at the top. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Large-diaphragm, dual 1-inch 3-micron 24-karat gold vacuum-deposited diaphragms; Lawson's reproduction of the M7 capsule; internally shock-mounted"One-inch 3-micron 24 karat gold vacuum deposited diaphragms"; capsule "precision machined from solid brass, then hand-lapped" (p. 1). | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −38.9 dBV/Pa (11.4 mV/Pa)1 kHz, multi-pattern mode; also −34.8 dBV/Pa, cardioid-only mode (18.2 mV/Pa). Not stated by the manufacturer: From 11.4 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.0114). | |
| Self-noise | 22 dB(A)multi-pattern mode; also 19 dB(A), cardioid-only mode; also 16 dB(A), multi-pattern, operation guide; also 13 dB(A), cardioid-only, operation guide. "Equivalent Noise Level 22 dBA multi-pattern, 19 dBA cardioid-only mode". The operation guide gives 16 / 13 dBA (p. 9). | |
| Max SPL | 128 dB SPL1 kHz, 3% THD; also 138 dB SPL, with the -10 dB pad; also 134 dB SPL, operation guide; also 144 dB SPL, with the -10 dB pad, operation guide. "Max SPL (1 kHz 3%) 128 dB (138 db SPL with -10 dB pad)". The operation guide gives 134 dB (144 dB with the pad) (p. 9). | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency Range 20 to 20,000 Hz". | |
| Powering | external tube power supply, 100/120/200/220/240 V AC (factory set); phantom power not neededThe operation guide: "Forty-eight volt (48V) phantom power is not necessary" (p. 5). | |
| Pad | −10 dB"-10 dB pad (switched from power supply)"; the operation guide says it lowers the capsule polarising voltage (p. 6). | |
| Connector | XLR-7 (mic to power supply); XLR-3 output on the power supply"7-pin gold-plated XLR". The 3-pin output: operation guide p. 5. | |
| Dimensions | 248 × 60 mmLength x diameter: "Mic: 9.75”L, 2.375”D"; converted. | |
| Finish | Trademark Gold or Satin Nickel | |
| Supplied accessories | power supply; 30-foot 7-pin cable with Neutrik connectors; shock-proof carrying case; swivel mic holder; power cord"Accessories Included". No external shock mount: the capsule is shock-mounted inside. | |
| Tube | 6n1P dual triode, selected for low noise; coupled through a polypropylene capacitor and a custom Lundahl transformer | |
| Power supply size | 8 x 4.375 x 2.625 in (length x width x height) | |
| Shipping weight | 14 lb | |
| Pattern control | Continuously variable, on the power supply; omni, cardioid and figure-8 and everything between | |
| Indicator | Blue LED inside the headbasket lit in multi-pattern mode | p. 1 |
| Capsule system | Quick Change: the head unscrews and fits all other Lawson mics (L251, L47FET, L251FET) | |
| Price | Factory direct $2,195.00 (2019) | p. 2 |
| From the manual | ||
| Low cut | L47 (flat), -Bass; 100 Hz; 6 dB/octaveLow Frequency Contour switch on the power supply: with the L47 capsule the "L47 (or +BASS)" position is flat, "The -BASS position provides a 6 dB/octave rolloff below 100 Hz" (pp. 6-7, printed pages 8-9). Not graphed. | p. 6 |
| Switches | mode: multi-pattern, cardioid onlyA switch on the base of the mic; cardioid-only "increases the output of the microphone by about 3 dB at the same time lowering the noise floor by the same amount" and disables the pattern control (p. 5, printed page 7). | p. 5 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1997 | |
Documents
- L47MP Mark II Tube Microphonecut sheet
- Operation Guide for Lawson Models: L47MP MKII Tube Mic, L251 Tube Mic, L47FET, L251FET
- Lawson Inc L47MP MKII | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Lawson, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.