Neumann
Neumann U 47 fet
Large-diaphragm FET condenser, cardioid, with pad and low cut; made 1972 to 1986 (the 1983 manual) and again as the 2014 Collectors Edition
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −41.9 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 18 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 33%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 32%
- Max SPL
- 137 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 50%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 46%
- Rated range
- 40 – 16k Hz
- Released
- 1969
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 13% 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 47% 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
4 of 6; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 4.
Graph without a title; the polar beside it is "measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4)".
That unit is from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (CC BY 4.0), measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 4.
Polar plot without a title, "measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4)". 125 Hz to 1 kHz on the left half, 2 to 16 kHz on the right; 0° at the top, rings every 5 dB labelled 0 to 20, centre -25 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | pressure-gradient transducer, large diaphragm | p. 4 |
| Sensitivity | −41.9 dBV/Pa (8 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm. Not stated by the manufacturer: Printed as 8 mV/Pa; converted with 20·log10(mV/1000). | |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A)IEC 60268-1; A-weighted per IEC 61672-1, RMS | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 25 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak | |
| Max SPL | 137 dB SPL0.5% THD; also 147 dB SPL, with pre-attenuation. Measured as an equivalent electrical input signal. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 76 dBA-weighted, re 94 dB SPL; also 69 dB, CCIR | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohm | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmThe 1983 manual (p. 8) gives 750 ohm. | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 16 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 0.5 mA | |
| Low cut | off, onThe frequency and slope are not stated; the curve is on p. 4. | p. 3 |
| Pad | −10 dBalso −6 dB. "a –6/–10 dB PAD". | |
| Weight | 710 g | p. 4 |
| Dimensions | 63 × 160 mmDiameter × length. | |
| Finish | nickelOrder number "ni" (nickel). | |
| Supplied accessories | wooden case; certificateEquipment supplied. Optional: N 248 power supply, PS 15 and PS 20 a pop screens, WS 47 foam windscreen. | |
| Max. output voltage | -3.3 dBu (0.5% THD) | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1969 | |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Original version1983 manual | super-cardioid; 40 Hz to 16 kHz; 8 mV/Pa; 750 ohm load; 137 dB SPL (147 dB with pre-attenuation); 15 hours on a battery supply | p. 8 |
Documents
- U 47 fet Collectors Edition studio microphone558044/A01
- Betriebsanweisung / Operating Instructions for the U 47 fet i Condenser Microphone11244 80201
- Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response DatasetJuan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey
- Neumann U47 fet | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.