Neumann
Neumann USM 69 i
Stereo condenser: two large-diaphragm dual-diaphragm capsules stacked one above the other, each with its own amplifier and five-position pattern switch; the upper one rotates through 270° for XY, MS and Blumlein
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −37.7 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 49%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 65%
- Self-noise
- 13 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 67%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 68%
- Max SPL
- 132 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 26%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 24%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 47% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 79% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 17% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 8.
Free field, IEC 60268-4, tolerance ± 2 dB ("measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4), tolerance ±2 dB", printed under the graphs). Distance not stated; system not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 9.
Free field (as the responses). Each curve is drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric. System not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | two large-diaphragm dual-diaphragm capsules, gold-coated polyester film membranes, one above the other"two completely separate condenser elements with gold-coated polyester film membranes, mounted one above the other"; "two separate dual diaphragm condenser capsules, mounted vertically" (catalogue p. 27). | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −37.7 dBV/Pa (13 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm rated load; pattern not stated. Stated as 13 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.013) = -37.7. | p. 10 |
| Self-noise | 13 dB(A)IEC 60268-1, A-weighting IEC 61672-1, RMS. "13 dB-A". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 24 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak | |
| Max SPL | 132 dB SPLless than 0.5% THD. "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL." No pad. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 81 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 70 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3 | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated impedance | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 1.4 mAboth systems. "2 x 0.7 mA". | |
| Switches | pattern, system I (yellow, lower): omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-8; pattern, system II (red, upper): omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-8"two flush-mounted rotary directional pattern selectors". | p. 3 |
| Connector | XLR-5 maleMatching connector "XLR 5 F". | p. 10 |
| Weight | 510 g | |
| Dimensions | 48 × 293 mm"Diameter 30 + 48 mm", "Length 293 mm": the head is 48 mm across, the body 30 mm; here head diameter × length. | |
| Finish | satin nickel (USM 69 i) or dark matt (USM 69 i mt) | p. 4 |
| Max. output voltage | 3 dBu | p. 10 |
| Rotation | Upper capsule rotates through 270° against the lower; colour marks on the lower grille show the pick-up angle | p. 2 |
| Subsonic filter | Active filter in each amplifier blocks subaudio signals ahead of the output transformers (not switchable) | p. 3 |
| Fail-safe | If the dc converter fails, both systems keep working in cardioid with about 3 dB less sensitivity | p. 4 |
| Cable length | Up to 300 m; longer cables raise the top of the response | |
| Cat. No. | USM 69 i (nickel) 006974; USM 69 i mt (black) 006976 | |
| Windscreen | WS 69 foam windscreen: 20 dB wind noise attenuation, 3 dB at 15 kHz | p. 13 |
| From the catalog | ||
| UseNeumann | Vocal and instrumental ensembles, drum overheads, grand piano and harp, stereo solo instruments; radio drama and audio books; two patterns on one mono source, or its own backup | p. 27 |
Documents
- USM 69 i Operating Instructions, German/English, Publ. 03/19070301/A05
- Neumann Full catalog of Microphones, English, 05/2020576045/A04
- USM 69 i, neumann.com product page
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.
Other mics
More from Neumann
- Neumann KM 184
- Neumann U 87 (U 87 i)
- Neumann KM 84
- Neumann TLM 103
- Neumann U 47
- Neumann U 67
- Neumann U 47 fet
- Neumann TLM 170 R