Telefunken AR-70 Stereo Microphone

The AR-70 Stereo is an advanced stereo version of our popular AR-51 tube condenser microphone.

The AR-70 STEREO is an advanced stereo version of the popular AR-51 tube condenser microphone. It features a matched pair of large diaphragm dual sided TK51D capsules, a New Old Stock NOS ECC81 / 12AT7 vacuum tube, and a matched pair of German built Haufe T14/1 output transformers that are the same transformers found in ELA M 250/251, C12 and R-F-T AR-51 microphones.

The AR-70 STEREO includes one fixed cardioid capsule on the bottom, and on top, a capsule wired for remote multi-polar pattern capabilities. This allows the microphone to perform multiple stereo recording techniques, as well as a standard single channel monophonic recording, all in one package. In stereo mode, the AR-70 STEREO can be set up in a standard X/Y configuration, with each capsule orientated 90 degrees away from each other, resulting in a perfectly co-incidental pair.

With the option of the multi-pattern functionality of the top capsule, the microphone can also be used in Mid-Side (M/S) technique, where the lower capsule is fixed in cardioid, and the upper capsule is rotated 90 degrees and set to the Figure 8 polar pattern.

One of the most unique ways to use the AR-70 STEREO is in “dual mono” mode, which can lead to all kinds of interesting textures for vocals. By running the outputs into two different microphone pre-amplifiers, the user can now have one capsule set up to sound its best on quieter passages in a vocal and the other for louder passages. If the user runs about 10dB more gain on the microphone pre-amplifier for the capsule that is set up to record quiet passages, then both outputs can be recorded separately and blended later; or a compression device can be used on the pre-amplifier that is set up for the quieter passages which will net about 12-15dB of gain reduction as the singer gets louder. These two outputs can be summed and the resulting signal will maintain a relatively constant level while being automatically combined for optimal capture of the performance.

Each AR-70 Stereo microphone comes complete with M970AR power supply, M801 25′ dual-shielded TX-7 tube microphone cable, M701 elastic shock mount, a FC70 locking flight case and wooden microphone box.

Technical Specifications:

• Type: Pressure Gradient Condenser
• Capsule: TK51D – 26.5 mm Edge Terminated Diaphragm
• Tube Type: GE ECC81 (NOS)
• Transformer: Haufe T14/1
• Polar Pattern: Top Capsule – 9-Pattern Variable including Omnidirectional, Cardioid, and Bidirectional / Bottom Capsule – Cardioid
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 3 dB
• Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa ± 1 dB
• THD at 1kHz at 1Pa (Amplifier): < 0.2% (Per Channel)
• Output Impedance: 250 Ω
• Maximum SPL (for 1% THD): 128 dB
• S/N Ratio: 85.5 dBA
• Self Noise (Amplifier): 8.5 dBA (Per Channel)
• Dimensions / Size: 305 mm L x 46 mm Dia.
• Weight: 866 g
• Current Draw from Mains: 95 mA
• Power Supply: M 970AR PSU – 7 Pin Female XLR Input, Two 3 Pin Male XLR Outputs, Polar Pattern Selector
• Cable: M 801 – 25 ft Accusound TX-7 Cable, 7 Pin Male & Female XLRs
• Shockmount: M 701 – Clamping Elastic Mount
• Wooden Box: WB70AR