Telefunken USA

Press Releases [top]

Pictured (L-R) at Harvest Sound Studios are Ringside drummer Norm Block with a rare vintage Telefunken Ela M 250 E and singer/songwriter Scott Thomas with the newly manufactured Telefunken | USA Ela M 251. Photo by David Goggin. Ringside Chooses Telefunken Old and New Band is Recording Follow-up to Geffen Hit Debut Los Angeles, CA, November, 2006 - Ringside, whose self-titled debut on Geffen Records yielded the hit single "Tired of Being Sorry," and the track "Struggle," which has become a widely heard jingle for Pontiac, is now in the studio working on their sophomore effort. The band is using two Telefunken microphones, one a rare 1950s vintage 250E two-pattern version, and the other a new Telefunken | USA 251E three-pattern model manufactured to original specs. "There are no new microphones out there that compare with the ones from Telefunken | USA," says lead singer Scott Thomas, whose distinctive gritty singing style is well-suited to the newly manufactured tube microphone. "It's perfect for my voice and I'm using it for my guitar, too. It's my main mic in the studio now and I really don't need much more." Ringside drummer Norm Block recently discovered a vintage Telefunken 250E on eBay, and has contracted Telefunken | USA to refurbish the mic and fabricate a vintage style power supply and cabling. "We did a preliminary test and the old mic has a darker sound which is very cool," says Block. "It's been kicked around for a few decades, so we're looking forward to getting it properly powered up and experimenting with it." During the recent 2006 AES convention in San Francisco, the 1959 Telefunken Ela M251 was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame. Nearly a half-century after its introduction, hundreds of vintage Telefunken Ela M251/250's are in use worldwide and are still prized by engineers for their smooth vocal reproduction and sparkling high-end response. Telefunken | USA is the current manufacturer of the prized microphones and is also handling all service and parts for the vintage units. Pictured with the new RM-5C are (L-R) Telefunken | USA™ CEO Toni Fishman with Jerry Silvia and David Browning of Silvia Classics Microphones. Photo by David Goggin. Telefunken | USA™ Introduces RM-5C Ribbon Microphone Company's First Ribbon Microphone Announced at AES2006 San Francisco, CA, October, 2006 -- At the recent AES 2006 Convention in San Francisco, Telefunken | USA™ introduced the company's first ribbon microphone, the RM-5C. Telefunken states that the new mic, designed by Jerry Silvia and David Browning of Silvia Classics Microphones, represents a technical breakthrough in ribbon microphone construction. Using cutting-edge magnetic materials and innovative acoustic design, the output characteristics of the RM-5C are said to be better suited for modern recording techniques than traditional ribbon mics. It offers a highly directional cardioid pickup pattern, elevated output levels and wider frequency response for matching up well with any high quality mic preamp. The Telefunken | USA™ RM-5C was physically inspired by the classic RCA BK5, but is not a copy of that microphone. Using the original mid-20th century design as a starting point, Silvia Classics and Telefunken | USA™ updated the older ribbon design using advanced materials and modern technological developments. Pictured at AES2006 are (L-R) Joe Wallace of GearWire and Toni Fishman of Telefunken | USA™. Toni shows the modularity of the Ela M 251 microphone in an exclusive interview. Telefunken | USA™ Ela M 251 Microphone "Uncovered" in GearWire Interview CEO Toni Fishman Discusses Ela M 251 Microphone, its Manufacturing Process, and its Other Microphone in Exclusive Interview with GearWire Toni Fishman offered Gearwire.com an inside peek into the design and construction of the legendary Ela M 251 microphone, as well as a discussion on other aspects of microphone design, at this year's AES conference in San Francisco, CA. From Gearwire.com: "Telefunken USA dishes on its mics aimed at the home studio user, their famous hand-assembled manufacturing on some models, and what the company does to reduce prices on other versions. Ever wondered what the difference is between those 'high-end' mics and the more inexpensive models made by the same company? Telefunken spills a few 'secrets' in this exclusive Gearwire interview. Check out Gearwire's Telefunken USA interview video from AES 2006 to learn more." View the exclusive interview at GearWire. Ela M 250 Kit, featuring microphone, power supply, wooden microphone box, 10 meter Gotham Audio cable. Telefunken | USA™ Introduces Ela M250 Microphone System Two-Pattern Version of Legendary Tube Microphone South Windsor, CT, August, 2006 -- Telefunken | USA, current day manufacturer of classic Telefunken microphones, is pleased to announce the latest addition to their product line: the legendary Telefunken Ela M250. Originally marketed in 1959 by Telefunken of Germany, the Ela M250 is a two-pattern (cardioid and omni) version of the famous Ela M251, and shares the same extraordinary sonic performance and circuitry of the most sought after of vintage tube microphones. Telefunken | USA is now accepting orders for two variations of the Ela M250 system, which will be shown at the upcoming October 2006 AES convention in San Francisco. The Ela M250E and the Ela M250F systems will begin shipping in September. Retail prices are $7495 and $5495 respectively, reflecting differing power supplies, accessories and warrantees. The Ela M 250E comes complete with a GE JAN 6072a tube, a new CK12 dual membrane capsule, custom wound Haufe transformer, VINTAGE style power supply, 10 meter Gotham Audio cable, locking leather bound flight case, wooden microphone box, owner manual and 5 year warranty. The Ela M 250F microphone system comes complete with a GE JAN 6072a tube, a new TK12 dual membrane capsule, a custom wound Haufe transformer, MODERN style power supply, wooden microphone box, 10 meter Gotham Audio cable, owner manual and 1-year warranty. See and hear the entire line of quality Telefunken | USA microphones at AES Booth # 1433. Pictured in his LA Studio is Matt Scannell. Photo by David Goggin. Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon Chooses Telefunken | USA™ Ela M 250 Two-Pattern Version of Legendary Tube Microphone Los Angeles, CA - September 25, 2006 - Matt Scannell, songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist for Vertical Horizon, has purchased the new Telefunken | USA Ela M250 for the recording of the band's upcoming album. "It's the best mic I've ever sung through, and I've sung through original Telefunken microphones which can cost $30,000," says Scannell. "As far as the characteristics of the mic, it has great presence and a beautiful top end that speaks so well in the track. If you want the sound of those great classic rock and roll records you need to get the great gear. Fortunately, Telefunken USA has done such a magnificent job on these mics that you don't have to go and buy the old expensive ones." Vertical Horizon, formed in 1992, achieved double-Platinum sales for their major label debut, 1999's "Everything You Want." The album spawned numerous hit singles, and was followed in 2003 with the equally impressive "Go." Matt Scannell recently set up his new LA recording studio, which houses a Pro Tools HD Accel system and a treasure trove of vintage guitars and guitar amplifiers. "Another thing I love about this mic," Scannell continues, "is that you can sing very aggressively and it doesn't break up. It also takes EQ incredibly well. With other microphones if I added some high end shimmer, it would get abrasive and sibilant and nasty. The 250 has this quality that sounds right wherever you have it in the track." Originally marketed in 1959 by Telefunken of Germany, the Ela M250 is a two-pattern (cardioid and omni) version of the famous Ela M251, and shares the same extraordinary sonic performance and circuitry of the most sought after of vintage tube microphones. "When I set this microphone up for the first time and started singing through it I was good to go. I actually had rented an original Telefunken at the time and the original sounded darker and kind of tired. You have to give those mics a break - they have been doing some great work for a long time. But this new one is a spectacular microphone." Alicia Keys at The Oven with the R-F-T M16MkII Photo: Bradford Noble Telefunken | USA™ Microphones featured in June issue of EQ Magazine South Windsor, CT - June 2006 - The Telefunken USA Ela M 270, Ela M 251, U47 M and R-F-T M16MkII microphones have all been mentioned in the June issue of EQ Magazine. This month's "The Studio Issue" features a fantastic article about Alicia Keys and her New York studio The Oven, where engineer Ann Mincieli has been using an R-F-T M16MkII on Alicia's vocals, and the stereo Ela M 270 on grand piano. Click here [PDF, 505kb] to read the entire article . Engineer / Producer Jeff Glixman of Star City Recording has been using a new Telefunken U47 M with NOS VF14 tube as his main microphone for recording vocals. He loved his U47 so much that Star City has recently purchased a second for their Bethlehem, PA facility. Click here [PDF, 596kb] to read the entire article. Producer Rob Lewis also mentioned using the Telefunken Ela M 251 for tracking vocals with pop sensation Christina Aguilera at Chalice Recording. Click here [PDF, 73kb] to read the article . Grammy®-Winning Mixer/Engineer Rafa Sardina Purchases Matched Pair of Telefunken Ela M12s Pictured at AES 2004 are (L-R) Telefunken USA CEO Toni Fishman and multiple Grammy®-winner Rafa Sardina. Photo by David Goggin. San Francisco, AES 2004 - Seven-time Grammy-winner mixer/engineer Rafa Sardina has purchased a matched pair of Telefunken USA's Ela M12 recreations of the classic microphone manufactured in the 60s and considered one of the most desirable of the classic condenser tube microphones. Sardina's impressive client credits include Macy Gray, Jessy Moss, Dr. Dre, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Marc Antoine, Angie Stone, Alejandro Sanz. Because all microphones have slightly different nuances and subtleties, a perfectly matched pair requires meticulous manufacturing standards and extensive performance testing. "I see my work much like a photographer's," says Sardina, "as transparent as possible when required but always providing the creative edge to affect the song and performance in a positive way. To achieve that goal, I like to create a comfortable and inspiring environment using the best acoustics and tools available - especially the finest microphones, the first step in getting a great recording." TELEFUNKEN USA INTRODUCES NEW "NO FRILLS" CLASSIC ELA M 251 F PACKAGE South Windsor, CT, October, 2004 -- Telefunken USA is now offering their flagship microphone, the Ela M 251 F, winner of the 2003 TEC Award for Studio Microphone excellence, in a new "no frills" package. The Ela M 251 F microphone houses the same meticulously hand-crafted components and vintage tube, yet is now available without the sumptuous flight case and the power supply is a modern version of the historical one. "After perfecting our reverse engineering technology in the re-creation of the 251, and with manufacturing breakthroughs we've achieved in the last six months, we have been able to minimize our costs considerably and can now pass this savings on to the recording community," explained Toni Fishman, CEO and company founder. "You might think of the new package as a coach ticket as compared with business class, but you still arrive at the same destination." Since its introduction, Telefunken USA's Ela M 251 has gained widespread recognition among the recording industry's top professionals, with microphones now in the hands of many award-winning producers and engineers, and in use by some of the music world's most successful artists. "We are very proud of the hard work and investment we have made in bringing back the sound of the most sought after microphone ever built," added Fishman. "There are no compromises in our workshop." The Telefunken USA Ela M 251 F is now available for $4,995 MSRP. Telefunken USA Delivers New Ela M12 2004 TEC Award Nominee South Windsor, CT, July, 2004 -- Telefunken USA is now shipping the Ela M12, a faithful reproduction of the legendary C12 condenser microphone. Following the industrywide acclaim of the Telefunken Ela M 251, winner of the prestigious 2003 TEC Award for Studio Microphone Technology, the new Ela M12 epitomizes the classic, large diaphragm, condenser tube sound. Each Ela M12 system is handcrafted in the USA, utilizing the original Austrian blueprints, and meticulously duplicating the original specifications. The Ela M12 features a 9-polar pattern remote control, adjustable from omnidirectional to hyper-cardiod. The mic houses an NOS 6072 tube, T-14 transformer and TK-12 capsule, an exact reproduction of the CK-12 capsule found in historic prized Telefunken microphones. Included is a jewelers microphone box, flight case, swivel connector cable, owner's manual, and 5-year limited warranty. Price: $5,995. Tom McRae With Joe Chiccarelli at The Paramour Sessions Utilize the new Telefunken USA Ela M12 Microphone South Windsor, CT, August, 2004 -- Top producer/engineer Joe Chiccarelli recorded the upcoming album by critically-acclaimed English artist Tom McRae, with executive producer Mike Hedges, at The Paramour estate in Los Angeles. Classic Equipment Rentals ("Ocean Way To Go") provided a complete location recording package, including consoles, outboard gear, microphones, baffles, snakes, and all the peripherals. Seen in session are the album's co-producers (L-R) Tom McRae and Joe Chiccarelli with the new Ela M12 microphone supplied by Telefunken USA, which was used for acoustic guitar, cello, percussion, and background vocals. Photo by David Goggin Telefunken USA CEO Toni Fishman with the company's new Telefunken Ela M12 microphone, which utilizes the GE 6072A vintage tube. Telefunken USA Procures Last Large Cache of Vintage Tubes South Windsor, CT, August, 2004 -- Telefunken USA has acquired what is believed to be the last large stock of vintage NOS (New Old Stock) 6072A General Electric tubes, manufactured to strict military/industrial standards. The 6072A is the premiere tube used in Telefunken USA's line of new microphones which faithfully recreate the legendary vintage Telefunken sound. Detailed reverse engineering has produced not imitations, but meticulous reissues of the classic Telefunken microphones. "After exhaustive searching we were able to purchase 4000 of the 6072A tubes," explained Toni Fishman, CEO of Telefunken USA. "They were labeled by GE in 1983, but were probably manufactured ten years earlier. This tube is the same one which was used by the great Austrian microphone manufacturers and is basically the heart of our new Telefunken USA microphones, including our popular Ela M251 and our recently introduced Ela M12. There is a supply of new tubes coming out of Eastern Europe and Asia, but we don't feel they come close to the performance of the vintage 6072A, and they don't last as long either. We are very fortunate to have found this precious stockpile, so that we can continue to build new microphones with that classic Telefunken sound."

Reviews [top]

Allen Sides on the Ela M 251 [top]

Allen Sides at Ocean Way Studios, L.A. this spring.

“You can imagine my excitement and skepticism when it was announced that the Ela-M 251 was back – identical to the original. Clearly, the 251 may be the finest tube mic ever made, which is why I own 20 of them. When I put up two of the new 251’s to compare to my originals, I was very impressed. All of the characteristics that make the Ela-M 251 exceptional were there and the overall sonic signature fit in perfectly with the rest of my collection. I can say without reservation the new Telefunken Ela-M is everything I hoped it would be.” -- Allen Sides, Owner of Ocean Way Recording

Billboard Magazine [top]

June, 2003: "Microphone Defies Biz Trends: U.S. Firm Builds Reputation With $10,000 Replica" For the review, please click here.

Mix [top]

"Telefunken Visits Ocean Way" For the review, please click here.

ProSound News [top]

June, 2003: "Ela M 251 Tests at Ocean Way: Shines in Comparison to Vintage Models" For the review, please click here.

Pro Audio Review [top]

Pro Audio Review Equipment Review - Studio Telefunken Ela-M 251 Tube Microphone by Stephen Murphy July 2003 Born of the idea to provide replacement parts and restoration services for vintage Telefunken microphones, the newly formed company Telefunken USA quickly expanded its mission to include the complete re-creation of several vintage products, including the revered Ela-M 251 microphone. The new Ela-M 251 ($10,125) is the first of several faithful reproductions planned by Telefunken USA. Calling it a "tribute to the classic microphone," Telefunken USA's meticulously built reproduction of the Ela-M 251 microphone is a near part-for-part dead ringer of the original. Features The original Telefunken Ela-M 251, (a.k.a. "ELAM" 251 - the Ela-M moniker was short for Telefunken's Elektroakustic Microphone line) is one of those "golden voice" microphones with a recording history and aura as big as the sound it can produce. With less than 3,000 manufactured, it is no wonder that the original Ela-M 251 has become a coveted and highly valuable microphone. A top-condition original Telefunken Ela-M 251, introduced over 50 years ago with a $300 price tag, can sell for around $20,000 in today's market. According to Telefunken USA, the company's research and development team spent over one year "reverse engineering [the mic], networking with the people who use them and the people who repair them, and meticulously documenting each and every part down to the last screw… Every measurement is still in metric and each part retains its original German spec." The biggest challenge Telefunken faced was recreating the infamous CK-12 capsule, considered to be one of the most complex condenser capsule designs in microphone history. The capsule was recreated in the exact form as specified in the original authorized blueprints of the CK-12. According to the manufacturer, the capsules are hand-built one at a time, using materials identical to the original. For those who are interested, Telefunken USA's website includes an interesting still-image "documentary" detailing its Ela-M 251 manufacturing process, including sections on the company's use of original injection mold technology (state of the art in 1960) and winding power supply transformers. The mic is identical to the original in appearance, right down to the Telefunken logo pressed in sterling silver using an original Telefunken badge die stamp. The microphone body measures approximately eight and one half inches long and two inches in diameter and features the familiar three-position sliding polar pattern selector. The mic connects to the power supply unit via a Neutrik six-pin XLR-style connector (one of the few obvious differences from the original, which used a sometimes-problematic DIN connector). The power supply unit features an on-off toggle switch, big red pilot light, and a fuse holder (.08A/30V). The old hard-wired A/C power cord has been upgraded to a standard IEC socket and removable cord. In Use In the recent past, I have had several opportunities to record with vintage Telefunken Ela-M 251 microphones. Through Pro Audio Review, I have also had the opportunity to record and evaluate the recent Soundelux and Lawson 251 reproductions. 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. Sonically, the Telefunken USA Ela-M 251 is as good a mic as any original model I have used. Its recreation of the classic 251 sound is, to my ears, pretty much dead on (of course, at this stage, finding two original M 251s that sound exactly alike is impossible). Telefunken set out to clone an original and succeeded admirably. During several weeks of use, I found that the mic was more versatile than any of the original M 251s I have used. Perhaps this was because it is less fragile than an original so I felt less restrained in setting it up and breaking it down so many times - the originals tended to stay safely in the box until the big vocal sessions. It may also be that this mic provided a more predictable recording experience over the originals. I enjoyed using the mic on typical favorites: male and female vocals, top end of the grand piano, baritone sax etc. But I also found myself using the mic on a variety of other instruments on which I had not previously tried a 251: solo cello, acoustic guitar (steel and nylon), "big" drum room mic, overhead on vibes, bassoon - all with excellent results. I also noted that the Telefunken USA mic seemed markedly quieter than any of the original 251s I have used - something that has bothered me with the original models in the past. Unfortunately, it was not possible to do side by side comparisons, but listening to vocal recordings I made with each of the four models (original Ela-M 251, Soundelux ELUX 251, Lawson L251, and the Telefunken USA Ela-M 251), while unscientific, helped confirm my observation that the new Ela-M 251 sounded closest to the original. I should note that the singer was the same in each of the recordings (me) and the same mic preamp (API 512) was used to cut straight to "tape" (Pro Tools) with no other equalization or processing in line. To be fair, the Lawson and Soundelux mics are not designed or marketed as faithful recreations of the original; both are excellent mics that strongly echo the M 251 signature sound while also incorporating updated elements such as a constantly-variable polar pattern, pad and/or low-frequency rolloff. These changes are smart and welcome additions to modern mics that bring a 251-like sound to many who will never have the opportunity to use an original. In the end, as with all mics, beauty is in the ear of the beholder - always do what you can to use the mic prior to investing. Telefunken USA obviously put an extraordinary amount of time and care in recreating the classic Ela-M 251, and this is reflected in the build, sound and price of the microphone. The result is a versatile world-class tube microphone that was a pleasure to use. While there is no mic for all occasions, when used appropriately the Ela-M 251 sounded great on nearly every instrument at which it was pointed. Summary In steadfastly sticking to the as close to the original design, materials and manufacturing techniques as possible, Telefunken USA has created a limited-run, hand-built mic that just might make the leap to a different playing field - one where people weigh the option of buying a vintage model with potentially unpredictable performance for $20,000 or breaking in a new model for around $10,000. It does not hurt that they have the original Telefunken name, design and silver logo stamp! Stephen Murphy, contributing studio editor for PAR, has recorded over one hundred vinyl and CD releases including Grammy, gold- and platinum-selling albums. Fast Facts Applications: Studio recording Key Features: Multipattern (cardioid, omni, bidirectional); tube; electronically filtered/fully regulated power supply; locking tweed hard-shell case with humidity control. Price: $10,125 Contact: Telefunken USA at 860-882-5919, www.telefunkenusa.com. Review Setup Westlake LCW8.1 and SP Technology Timepiece studio monitors; Hafler and Sunfire power amplifiers; API 512 and Aphex 1100 mic preamps; API 2500 and UREI LN-1176 compressors; Audience high-resolution cables

Photo Galleries [top]

• Telefunken in California: Ela M 251 Comparisons
• Telefuken USA at 115th AES

Documentation [top]

• Telefunken Ela M 251 User's Manual [pdf]

Specifications [top]

• EL-34 Tube Specifications [pdf]

Telefunken USA Advertisements [top]

Current USA Ads
	R-F-T M16 Cut Sheet
	RFT AK47 Cut Sheet
	U 47 M Cut Sheet
	Ela M 12 Cut Sheet
	Telefunken USA / R-F-T Funkenwerk Lineup
Older Telefunken Ads
	View the full-page Telefunken Ela M 251 ad [pdf]
	View the 1/4-page Telefunken Ela M 251 ad [pdf]

Cut Sheets [top]

These are glossy, double-sided ads for our microphones.

Cut Sheets
	View the Ela M 251 cut sheet, front and back. [jpeg] Front | Back
	View the Ela M 47 cut sheet, front and back. [jpeg] Front | Back

 

Downloads [top]

• Watch this space for Telefunken wallpapers!