Lights, camera, action – it’s time to roll out the red carpet for the return of Neumann’s legendary M 50 Tube Microphone. Originally released in 1951, the microphone defined an era of classic orchestral recordings and film scores. Now, the microphone has been reimagined for the modern era. Enter: the M 50 V Tube Microphone.

The original M 50 Tube Microphone was heralded as a Hollywood gamechanger due to its innovative design. The mic utilised a small diaphragm omnidirectional capsule mounted inside of a 40 mm acrylic sphere, as well as opting for a durable titanium diaphragm to improve stability. Its design resulted in a unique polar pattern and top-notch response – making it the perfect option for live recordings.

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The M 50 also served as a pivotal microphone in the development of the Decca Tree recording technique, a multi-miking technique often used for choirs and orchestras for a well balanced recording. It was the key to capturing truly vivid, deep sound, with a brilliantly powerful bass response unlike any mic before it.

The modern rebirth of the M 50 V meticulously revives the original microphones’ inner workings, with a few tweaks to suit our contemporary world. One example is how the original circuit design adds in an ultra-low-noise subminiature tube and an RF-proof connector to aid with modern interference from mobile networks and WiFi.

Neumann has also improved the mic’s original yoke mount. The new mount adopts elements for mechanical decoupling of the microphone, as well as a nifty cable holder to suppress any potential cable-related interference.

There’s also a special NM V power supply that can automatically adapt to your local mains voltage – which supports the new M 50 V as well as any original M50s you may have lying around.

Speaking on the rebirth of Neumann’s M 50, the company’s Portolio Manager, Jorma Marquardt, explains: “The M 50 V is handmade in Germany to original specifications, but with enhancements like a titanium capsule and improved mechanical decoupling in the yoke mount. It is the ultimate choice for orchestral recordings and film scoring, be it in stereo, surround, or immersive formats.”

“This reissue is not just a microphone — it’s a piece of recording history reborn,” Medzid Veseli, Head of Neumann Service and Quality Control, adds. “The production team and I take immense pride in crafting each unit by hand. Every component is meticulously inspected and assembled to deliver the legendary sound that professionals expect from Neumann.”

This isn’t the first time Neumann has revived an old icon. Back in 2022, the company notably reimagined another legendary 1950s microphone, the M 49.

Head to Neumann to pre-order now, with first shipments due to kick off in February.

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