MP-47 Microphone

$ 719.00 $ 799.00

Features

34mm (large diaphragm) dual-sided, single backplate, K47-style condenser capsule
3 way pattern switch: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
Switchable 10dB pad
Tapered, 2-layer brass mesh grille
60mm elastic shockmount
Plastic storage case

Description

The MP47 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone built by hand in the US. It uses a K47 style capsule and expertly optimized transformerless electronics.

The microphone has high sensitivity, very low distortion, and low self-noise. This is a fantastic microphone for voiceover, sung vocals, strings, woodwinds, and guitars.

If you intend to record very high-SPL applications (such as kick drum), we can build a high-SPL version of this mic upon request -- with lower sensitivity, and a 20dB pad.

The MP47 ships with a an elastic shockmount and a hard plastic storage case.

Customer Testimonial

Regarding the MP47 Platinum vs [Neumann] TLM-49 ... the Neumann has more of a wide bump around 100-ish and is tamer in the 4-6K range. I'd describe it as "woofier." My MP47 Platinum is clearer and more open-sounding, more balanced throughout. All the bass and highs are there, but not hyped, which is nice!

I occasionally EQ in light bumps at 100 Hz and 10 kHz on my voiceover, and [the MP-47] takes it beautifully. Even after adding that, it's much more natural sounding than my TLM103, which sounds essy, phasey and "small" by comparison. Really pleased with it!

- Mark P.

Specifications

Acoustic Operating Principle	Pressure-gradient transducer
Capsule	K47-style true condenser, single backplate, 34mm O.D.
Diaphragms	3-micron Mylar, center-terminated
Directional pattern	Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8 switchable
Frequency range	10 - 15,000 Hz
Sensitivity	30 mV/Pa
Impedance	< 200 Ohm
Signal-to-Noise ratio	84dB (A)
Self-noise	10-12dBA
Supply voltage	48±4 VDC
Output connector	XLR3M

Origins and Components

The circuit is our highly optimized version of the transformerless design pioneered by Schoeps. We manufacture and populate the circuit boards in the US, using the finest components available: 1% Vishay Dale resistors, long-life Panasonic and Wima capacitors, vintage ("NOS") transistors from Siliconix and Toshiba.

The capsule is our RK-47, our all-brass K47-style capsule. This is a 34mm O.D., single-backplate capsule modeled after Neumann's famous K47 (found in the U47 tube microphone). We use 3-micron Japanese Mylar for the diaphragms, which are metallized with pure gold.

The headbasket is a tapered design that we modeled after the Neumann M49/M50 grille. We make it with 2 layers of mesh, as that gives the best compromise between sonic transparency and blast/EMI/RFI protection.

All these great parts come together to create a slick-looking, very sensitive (~30mV/Pa), very low-noise (~10dBA) studio microphone with classic K47 tone: great midrange detail, without the hyped top end that is so common on inexpensive condensers.

Platinum Edition

During the quarantine of 2020, we developed a revision to this circuit that incorporates numerous special components and several alterations to the topology. The goal of these changes was to take an already outstanding microphone to the next level, regardless of cost: lower the noise (which was already very low), increase the high-frequency detail (without making the mic brighter), increase the resolution, and add the "sheen" of a $2000 mic. This version of the mic requires the use of custom PCBs developed to accommodate the special components we favor for this build. This mic is available in limited quantities.

The Platinum edition includes your choice of grille color: satin nickel (pictured) or black chrome.

The Platinum M7 mic, new for 2024, uses an M7 capsule rather than a K47. This gives the mic a more neutral (flatter) frequency response, with a softer top end. The bass response is tighter than the K47 version, making the M7 a great choice for vocals, voiceover, and close instrumental mic placements where proximity effect is unwanted.

In the Box

The MP47 ships with a metal-frame elastic shockmount and a padded plastic suitcase. The mic is warrantied against defects for 90 days.

Availability

These microphones are built to order in our US headquarters. Allow 3-5 business days for assembly, testing, burn-in, and final QC. Click here for the latest news about custom mic ordering times.