neumann.

berlin
the microphone company

Miniature Multi-Pattern Microphone KM 56 tom part of the micro-

phone, facilitates the selec-
tion of the appropriate bias
While studio practices commonly rely on individual mi-
to the rear element. With
crophones with fixed directional characteristics, the indus-
the output signals of the
try has also become accus-
capsules added together,
tomed to using micro-
the two cardioid respons-
phones with switchable
es are combined to corre-
directional characteristics.
spond to the three major
Following Neumann’s
directional patterns: omni,
launch of their first two
cardioid and figure-8.
miniature microphones –
the omnidirectional KM 53 Of course, contacting the
and the cardioid KM 54 – capsule needs to be exe-
the requests for a switcha- cuted differently from that
ble pattern miniature mi- of the M 7, where the con-
crophone became increas- nections to the membranes
ingly urgent. are achieved via a screw
contact in the capsule
The two existing small dia-
center. Contacts for the
phragm microphones meas-
nickel diaphragm of the
ure 21 mm in diameter.
miniature capsules use the
This dimension served as
rim. The connections to
the basis for developing the
the back plate electrodes
next member of this family. The microphone amplifier, or
are made via insulated
more correctly the impedance converter, does not present
holes through contact
a problem. Realizing a switchable microphone however, was
springs forming a ring in-
a challenge awaiting resolution.
side, at the perimeter of
For the microphone capsule itself, substantial parts of two the electrodes. The double
cardioid KM 54 capsule are used. The photograph shows membrane capsule is then
the individual components. Each half of the capsule con- installed in a plastic
mounting support with
three contacts.
By virtue of its small di-
mensions the directional
properties of the KM 56
are practically independent
of frequency. The response
is very flat for low and mid
frequencies and exhibits a
gentle rise of up to 5 dB
around 7 kHz. This is a
characteristic desired for
its function as a built-in
presence boost and gives
the microphone an espe-
sists of a membrane, back electrode and delay plate. The
cially open and present
two capsule halves are mounted together back-to-back with
sound.
a distance foil, thus forming a dual membrane capsule, sim-
ilar to the proven M 7 capsule from U 47, U 48 and M 49 The new miniature microphone was called KM 56 and was
fame, but considerably smaller. built from 1955 until 1970. It was mainly used as a sup-
porting microphone for musical recordings – especially pi-
With the plate voltage for the microphone’s AC 701 (k)
ano – and as an announcer’s microphone. The KM 56 was
tube set at 120 Vdc, the various required voltages for po-
particularly popular in Japan, where the model was used
larization of the capsules can be derived from voltage di-
in large numbers by the NHK radio station.
viders. A coaxial switch, set by a ring placed on the bot-