Genuine Neumann versus Thiersch Capsules

[Biula]

I'd always go for the Thiersch. Siegfried Thiersch worked over 20 years at Neumann & Gefell. He knows his business and in all the blind tests we did his capsules brought so much more emotion to the table - it's outstanding.

If I were allowed to post some files I'd love to show you a recording we did for a Universal artist were we had to re-record some vocals in a second session. The first session was done with a DIY Poctop U47 with Thiersch and old Siemens Tubes, the second one with an original vintage U47 in really good condition from the 60s (Echoschall) both through a Neve 1073. You can't hear a difference. No one could tell. And we have really really experienced and super critical engineers in the team.
That blind test was really fun. Thiersch is the real deal.

I absolutely agree! I'm employee in a broadcast company, we have several original U47 (long body, original M7 PVC capsules) and they all are amazing but slightly different each other (you can't tell which is "best" or "worst": they have their own personality... ). Different story for two 1960 K47 mylar short body: absolutely identical and stunning. So I suppose that are the PVC ageing diaphragms which give little different nuances... When we where forced to do a reskin to a couple of faulty M7 we choose to go for the Thiersch PET option, and surprise-surprise: now they are indistiguible from the healty K47s!!! So, to make the story short, Thiersch do a great job and the result is 100% Neumann specs.

 

[Latie]

I absolutely agree! I'm employee in a broadcast company, we have several original U47 (long body, original M7 PVC capsules) and they all are amazing but slightly different each other (you can't tell which is "best" or "worst": they have their own personality... ). Different story for two 1960 K47 mylar short body: absolutely identical and stunning. So I suppose that are the PVC ageing diaphragms which give little different nuances... When we where forced to do a reskin to a couple of faulty M7 we choose to go for the Thiersch PET option, and surprise-surprise: now they are indistiguible from the healty K47s!!! So, to make the story short, Thiersch do a great job and the result is 100% Neumann specs.

PVC or Mylar reskin?

 

[bremusound]

PET = Mylar

 

[SubSpec]

Thiersh M7 Red = just fine, not equal to earlier Gefell/Neumann in color of high freq-s.
IMHO, it works better with higher feeding voltage~70-75VDC

Based on this, I'm curious is the Red line would be appropriate in an 80v circuit (WA-47 in particular)? Anyone have insights on that or should I just try it and see?

 

[Biula]

I have two of my U47 mikes with original capsule reskinned by Thiersch with PET (red line): they are absolutely fantastic, just a bit of more "airy" in the very high end in comparison with the old PVC (no surprise, they sound just like my other U47 - short body, K47 mylar capsule... mylar=PET!). I agree, they can work up to 80-90v flawless, with a few dB more out signal.

 

[McIrish]

Why run them at 80V? I don't really see the point. I'm not an expert by any means, but I always shoot for 60V. Lots of loud singers and I don't want to run the risk of the diaphragm getting stuck to the plate. I'm just curious on why 80V?

 

[SubSpec]

Why run them at 80V? I don't really see the point. I'm not an expert by any means, but I always shoot for 60V. Lots of loud singers and I don't want to run the risk of the diaphragm getting stuck to the plate. I'm just curious on why 80V?

In my particular case I'm talking about swapping it into a WA-47, which is polarized at 80v. I'm really only tracking myself with it so I can generally be aware not to push it, but if it's known not to handle higher polarization I would use it in a different circuit instead. That said, I plan to try it in the WA and see how it handles.

 

[kingkorg]

In my particular case I'm talking about swapping it into a WA-47, which is polarized at 80v. I'm really only tracking myself with it so I can generally be aware not to push it, but if it's known not to handle higher polarization I would use it in a different circuit instead. That said, I plan to try it in the WA and see how it handles.

You are one resistor change away from moding WA47 to 60v.

 

[SubSpec]

You are one resistor change away from moding WA47 to 60v.

Thanks, in my noobness I was assuming there would be a bit more to it than that. Looking at the Apex 460 circuit (which is seemingly similar) would R5 be said resistor?

 

[tomas.borgstrom]

The polarization voltage affects the sound. You can experiment with it and decide for yourself what you like. If you raise the voltage too much I've read that you will loose linearity. I have experience with Sela T24 which was developed for recording film dialogue. It has a Neumann K47 with a polarization voltage above 90V (to get a better signal noise ratio). I think it's an overrated microphone for studio use.

 

[Biula]

Why run them at 80V? I don't really see the point. I'm not an expert by any means, but I always shoot for 60V. Lots of loud singers and I don't want to run the risk of the diaphragm getting stuck to the plate. I'm just curious on why 80V?

Just as said before, you CAN run it at 80v if your circuit is set that way: a modern M7 capsule can withstand it no problem. The consequent advantages are some dB more output and a better signal to noise ratio. Il you are dealing with an original U47 circuit use the standard 60v.

 

[kingkorg]

Thanks, in my noobness I was assuming there would be a bit more to it than that. Looking at the Apex 460 circuit (which is seemingly similar) would R5 be said resistor?

Nope, reduce the value of R3 until you get desired voltage.