recordinghacks

Neumann U 497

Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

The U 497 was a limited edition FET condenser microphone commissioned by the French broadcasting network, ORTF.

It is a hybrid of existing Neumann parts and technologies, in that it incorporates the K47/K49 single-backplate capsule of the U47/U48/Fet47 microphones with the multipattern FET amplifier circuitry of the U89 into a U67 body.

Martin Schneider, Neumann

Regarding the circuitry, the nearest models in the Neumann catalogue were the U47fet (single pattern, with K 47/49 capsule), and the U89 (multi-pattern).

Due to the broadcast company’s requirements, the U 497 is powered by 12V phantom power. The mic incorporates a DC-DC converter, presumably to generate sufficient voltage to polarize the capsule.

A switch on the front of the microphone allowed selection from among three polar patterns: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, and Figure-of-8.

Two switches on the rear of the mic body enabled a -10dB pad and a high-pass filter (slope and frequency not specified).

The mic was manufactured in limited quantities from 1975–1985.

The circuit photos on this page were taken from an Ebay auction; they depict a mic modified for P48 by Peter Defahl. This circuit may therefore exhibit differences from stock U 497 microphones.

The Neumann U 497 is also known as: U497.

The mic was released in 1975.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (5.5 mV/Pa; 40 - 16,000 Hz) Cardioid (7 mV/Pa; 40 - 16,000 Hz) Bidirectional (8 mV/Pa; 40 - 16,000 Hz)	Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a	150 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 144 dB

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
500g (17.64oz)	200mm (7.87'')	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 12v

Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!