Product
Description
The
Wunder Audio CM7 Tube Microphone comes with the original large-style
U47 transformer that was used in the earlier U47's, 1949-1952,
including the legendary "Large Badge" U47. These first
couple of hundred U47's are very sought after sonically because
the larger transformer has 25 percent wider windings and is made
using Mu-Metal which makes the transformer saturate nicer than
the later smaller U47 transformer. When you get close to the mic,
the higher vocal level plus proximity effect causes saturation
to take place. One really needs to sing close to the grille because
the way it handles pressure-gradient proximity effect is the key
to the U47.
The CM7 transformer's larger size and high nickel content achieves
better low end rolling off at 20 Hz, identical to the original
U47 design, instead of 40 Hz. The smaller 40 Hz transformer that
was used in later versions of the U47 was made with the 40 Hz
roll-off as a requirement for the IRT (German Broadcasting Network).
In modern day recording this capability to capture the low end
frequencies is essential.
The
Tube is an EF14, however the VF14 used in the original U47 is
also available at a higher price point but it is not worth it.
Basically, the VF14 and EF14 are tooled identically inside. Telefunken
made some of the Stahlroehren (Steel Valves) before WWII; these
are the less desirable versions. Telefunken moved the tube manufacturing
to West Berlin. There is a difference between prewar (and later
east German) and postwar tubes. The prewar tubes have a bulky
ring around the Bakelite base; the postwar tubes are more streamlined.
The
VF14 is a dinosaur, it's extinct. The EF14 is the savior of the
mic. The only difference between the VF and EF is the filament
voltage requirement, but they sound the same if set up correctly
for a U47. These tubes have the same interior tooling; the only
difference is how the filament wire is attached. The VF14 is under
heated. If you use an EF14 and run a separate filament at 4.95
volts, the EF14 acts identical to the VF14. Wunder add a capacitor
and resistor on the back of the tube socket called a "dummy
load" to make the EF14 behave exactly like a VF14.
The
Wunder CM7 also uses very smooth high-end Metalized Polypropylene
capacitors that weren't available in the days of the U47, as filtering
and corner frequency caps; i.e. low frequency capacitors. Wunder
have doubled the value of the corner frequency cap that enables
more low end to come through. The caps Neumann used had a tendency
to dry or crack over the years. They also used a ceramic capacitor
that would crumble in the old U47's.
Package
includes: CM7, Plush Oak Box, Historical Shock Mount, Power supply,
Original large Tuchel connected mic cable. Comes standard with
the M7 capsule.
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