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R-F-T CU-29 Microphone Sets

CardioidTelefunken Elektroakustik R-F-T CU-29

Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone

The CU-29 “Copperhead” is a fixed-cardioid tube condenser microphone, with a tube-and-transformer topology.

According to Telefunken Elektroakustik, the mic was in development for 18 months, and benefited from consultations with industry experts, as well as extensive experimentation with “new body styles, different screen meshes for the head grill, and amplifier designs.” The circuit board layout was optimized to minimize the length of high-impedance traces. Electronic components were individually selected.

The tube is a NOS Telefunken EF-95, a miniature pentode also known as the 6AK5, selected to minimize microphonic noise. The output transformer is made by Lundahl.

The capsule is described as a “single-membrane” version of the capsule from the AK-47 Mk II and AR-51. It is, in fact, one-half of the K67-style capsule in those microphones — not only is it a single-membrane design, but it has only one of the two backplates of the AK-47/AR-51 capsule.

The mic is visually distinctive, due to the “antique copper” finish of the grille and trim rings.

Its name was the result of an international naming contest, with entries submitted from around the world.

The Copperhead ships with R-F-T power supply, 20' cable, elastic shockmount, and a wooden storage box for the mic. Flightcases are sold separately ($99).

Sound On Sound, 2011

The CU29 exhibits a sound that’s satisfyingly smooth and has no shocking peaks and troughs, but it’s not an all-purpose mic. What the Copperhead produces best are lovely, three-dimensional vocals with a smooth but very lively high-end and comfortable, underpinning bass — just the kind of vocals that sit right in the centre of a recording while everything else flows around them. The Copperhead performs well with acoustic guitar, and does a good job with percussion, too, but it’s a vocal mic at heart.

The Telefunken Elektroakustik R-F-T CU-29 is also known as: Copperhead.

The mic was released in 2010.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (14 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm
Capsule diameter: 32mm
Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns
200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 138 dB
Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
690g (24.34oz) 203mm (7.99'') 44mm (1.73'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Includes tube power supply

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