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side-address large-diaphragm dual-diaphragm tube multipattern transformer-coupled 6072 ck12 condenser haufe tk12
Specifications and Reviews
Ela M 251E Product Description
Toni Fishman on the 251E- Fishman’s 6072a tube jackpot
- MIX review, 2003-10
- Pro Audio Review, 2003-07
- Tape Op Review (issue #34)
Related Microphones
Telefunken Elektroakustik Ela M 251E
MSRP: $7,995 Multi-Pattern Condenser Tube Microphone
Description
The ElaM 251E is a recreation of AKG’s Telefunken ELA M 251E microphone, a multipattern, large-diaphragm tube condenser. The original is one of the best-known and best-remembered vintage microphones in the world; Telefunken Elektroakustik’s recreation attempts to be historically accurate.
The heart of any 251-style mic is the capsule. AKG’s original CK12 capsule is perhaps the most sought-after in the world, despite the fact that most have begun to deteriorate. (The repeated application of polarization voltage tends to “suck” the diaphragm into the backplate over time, causing the membrane to literally collapse. Tensioning the membrane more tightly prevents collapse at a cost of altering the frequency response.)
Telefunken Elektroakustik manufactures its own CK12-style capsules in-house. The cost per part, according to company president Toni Fishman, exceeds $1000. As of November 2005, the company was able to produce 400 capsules per year, with a reject rate of 50% and goal of increasing capacity to 500 (presumably) usable capsules per year.
The transformer in the 251E is made by Haufe, maker of the original ElaM 251 transformer. It is a 14:1 design; the Telefunken Elektroakustik unit is custom-wound by Haufe to the specs of the original.
The tube in the 251E is a NOS JAN-spec 6072a made by General Electric. Telefunken Elektroakustik (then called Telefunken North America) made the news in 2004 when they purchased a cache of old 6072a tubes, variously reported at 4000-6000 tubes in size.
Toni Fishman
After exhaustive searching we were able to purchase 4000 of the 6072A tubes… They were labeled by GE in 1983, but were probably manufactured ten years earlier. This tube is the same one that was used by the great Austrian microphone manufacturers…
The 251E ships in a leather-trimmed suitcase with a vintage-reproduction power supply, a swivel microphone mount, power cable, and a padded wooden storage box for the microphone.
MIX
Telefunken USA’s Ela M 251 is an incredible mic. In every application, it never let me down. From the subtle guitars to the abusive transients of powerful percussion, it rose to each occasion with great results.
Pro Audio Review
While I found both the Soundelux and Lawson reproductions were excellent microphones in their own right, Telefunken USA’s Ela-M 251 recreation is without a doubt the closest match when compared to the sound and build of the original.
The price on this mic has dropped since its introduction (~$10,000 in 2003; ~$8000 in 2009).
The Telefunken Elektroakustik Ela M 251E is also known as: 251E.
Specifications
| Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
|---|---|
|
Omnidirectional
(n/a mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (n/a mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (n/a mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
|
| Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
|---|---|---|
| Diaphragm diameter: 25mm |
200 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 138 dB Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A) |
| Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 567g (20.00oz) | 216mm (8.50'') | 51mm (2.01'') |
|
| Power Specifications |
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