Mic Archive
Telefunken C12
Photo: TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, from its catalog, p. 4.

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Telefunken C12

Large-diaphragm tube condenser (6072A, self-biased), CK12-type capsule, nine patterns switched on the power supply; a replica of the 1953 AKG C12

Power M 910 external power supply with built-in pattern switch (115 or 230 V mains).

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Switchable, 3OmniCardioidFigure-8
Sensitivity
−40 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
9 dB(A)
vs 99 side-address condensers

Quieter than 69% 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.

  • Among 258 condensers: quieter than 86%
  • Among 272 mics: quieter than 87%
Max SPL
130 dB SPL
vs 107 side-address condensers

Takes louder sound than 24% 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.

  • Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 18%
  • Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz
Released
2003

Frequency response

Angle

Distance

From the manual, p. 11.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the manual
CapsuleTELEFUNKEN CK12, edge-terminated large dual diaphragm, made by hand in South Windsor, CT"TELEFUNKEN CK12 – Edge Terminated Large Diaphragm"; "historically accurate replica CK12 capsule", "edge-terminated, dual diaphragm design" (p. 10); made in South Windsor (p. 9).p. 11
Sensitivity−40 dBV/Pa (10 mV/Pa)Not stated by the manufacturer: From 10 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.010).
Self-noise9 dB(A)amplifier. "Self-Noise (Amplifier) 9 dBA".
Max SPL130 dB SPL1% THD. "Maximum SPL (for 1% THD) 130 dB".
Signal-to-noise ratio85 dBA-weighted. "S/N Ratio 85 dBA".
Output impedance200 ohm
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz±3 dB. "20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±3 dB".
PoweringM 910 external power supply with built-in pattern switch (115 or 230 V mains)"External Power Supply"; the M 910 is set to 115 V or 230 V (quick start, p. 4).
Connectorvintage-style swivel stand-mount connector at the mic; 7-pin XLR at the supply; XLR-3 output on the supplyM 810 cable: "historically accurate swivel stand mount connector on the microphone end and a premium Neutrik 7-pin XLR connector on the power supply end" (p. 2); a standard 3-pin mic cable from the supply to the preamp (p. 4).p. 2
Weight567 gp. 11
Dimensions250 × 42.5 mm"250 mm L x 42.5 mm Dia" (length × diameter).
Finishgrey powder coat with the TELEFUNKEN Diamond badge"gray powder coated body and classic TELEFUNKEN Diamond badge".p. 9
Supplied accessoriesM 910 power supply; M 810 tube mic cable (10 m); M 751 Rycote shock mount; FC10 flight case; WB10 wooden box"What's In The Box" (pp. 2-3) and the system table (p. 12).p. 12
TubeTELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik 6072A (dual triode), self-biased (cathode bias)p. 11
TransformerHaufe T14/1
THDamplifier< 0.25% at 1 kHz, 1 Pa
Capsule polarisationFront diaphragm grounded, back diaphragm varied from 0 to 120 V (as in the original C12)p. 9
Power supplyM 910: fully regulated; pattern selector built in; heater voltage ramps up over 20 seconds; warm up 10 minutes before usep. 2
Stereo setC12 Stereo Set: two matched mics, M 910S dual power supply (powers both and sets both patterns), FC10S flight casep. 12
HistoryAKGIntroduced by AKG in 1953, designed by Konrad Wolf; about 2,000 made until 1963; also sold as the Siemens SM203 and SM204p. 8
From the Recording Hacks page
Released2003

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on telefunken-elektroakustik.comRecording Hacks

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