Why A Tube Microphone In The 21st Century ?
Thirty years ago nearly everyone expected solid-state electronics to bring about the demise of the vacuum tube. But a hard core of music aficionados has remained faithful to the tube, citing its special properties. They realize that digital processing gives the highest quality, at least according to currently available measurement techniques, but they consider all such measurements inadequate by comparison with the educated human ear. The measurable shortcomings of vacuum tube circuitry (e.g. somewhat higher self-noise and harmonic distortion) are gladly accepted for the sake of a warmer, softer, more musical sound - the typical tube sound. Sometimes tubes are even overdriven deliberately so as to obtain the desired extra overtones. Absolute precision in rendering the original sound is considered less important than the overall sonic character.
Supplied equipment :
- Tube Microphone M 222 Made In Germany
- Microphone cable KS 5U, 5 m long
- Popscreen B 5
- Microphone clamp SG 20
- NT 222 AC Power Supply (Optional DC PS (special order) Specify NT 222 DC for for portable use with 12V DC or mains and preamplification up to line level for DAT or HD recordings.)
- Transport case
The MK capsule must be ordered separately.
The Concept Of The M 222 :
For this group of users SCHOEPS has added the new tube microphone M 222 and its power supplies NT 222 DC and NT 222 AC to its product line. Both components are built by ELVO, the SCHOEPS-affiliated supplier which can produce a small to moderate number of units with the high quality expected by our customers, at a reasonable price.
Modern Tube Design :
The new approach to tube design does not merely recycle techniques from the sixties. Rather, it unites a first-quality tube from the original AEG-TELEFUNKEN production with up-to-date circuitry. Since there is no need for a modern vacuum tube microphone to be bulky, the dimensions of the SCHOEPS CMC series have been utilized (diameter 20 mm, length 116 mm without capsule). The model number M 222 is based on the name of the legendary SCHOEPS tube microphone M 221 B, though the specifications and performance are significantly improved. All switches and plugs are gold plated. Modern XLR connections ensure high reliability, the audio signal path is transformerless.
M 222 Application Notes :
Not only can any capsules of the Colette Series be used, but also all the active accessories such as the CUT1, KC, RC, GVC and the BLM03C. Depending on the powering unit you can switch on a preamplfier in five steps from microphone level up to line level (with NT 222 DC) or a line driver that allows cable runs up to 300 m to the mixing console's microphone input (with NT 222 AC).
The M 222 is available in two versions, using the identical microphone itself but two different powering units:
The M 222 with Powering Unit NT 222 AC (ordering information 'M 222 AC') for versatile use with professional equipment and mains connection 90 ... 240 V AC and the M 222 with Powering Unit NT 222 DC (ordering information 'M 222 DC') for portable use with 12V DC or mains and preamplification up to line level for DAT or HD recordings.
Important for purists:
The power supplies offer a "TUBE DIRECT" switch setting with which there are no semiconductors in the signal path whatsoever. A "HARMONICS" switch alters the Q-point of the tube, causing the gradual increase of harmonics to set in earlier, to emphasize the typical tube sound.
The dimensions and fittings of the M 222 amplifier are the same as those of the CMC series. Any capsules of the Colette Series be used (including the BLM 03 Cg) as well as all Active Accessories such as the CUT, KC, RC and GVC.
The M 222 can be ordered with two different powering units. With the NT 222 DC, an AC adapter is supplied but portable operation from an external 12 Volt supply (e.g. car battery) is possible as well; the output is also switchable to line level.
The NT 222 AC has identical dimensions, but its mains transformer is internal and the output is not switchable to line level. Thanks to its universal output circuitry it can be used with any microphone input, whether phantom powered or not and whether balanced or not. When connected to 48 V phantom power (“P48 ON“), cable runs up to 200 m can be used. “HARMONICS“ (see below) is adjustable in five steps.
The power supply offers a “TUBE DIRECT“ switch setting in which there are no semiconductors in the signal path whatsoever. A “HARMONICS“ switch alters the Q-point of the tube, causing the gradual increase of harmonics to set in earlier, to emphasize the typical “tube sound.“
