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A shootout between the Neumann BV8 output transformer and the
CineMag CM-2461NiCo happened at
Rotund Rascal Recording Studio earlier this month.
 Present
were a 1960s vintage U-47 and matched
Pearlman TM-1 microphones. The output transformer from the
U-47 was placed in one of the TM-1s and the other microphone was
outfitted with a CM-2461NiCo. For the session the mics were
arranged with the capsules in very close proximity to each
other.
The Pearlman TM-1 microphones employed
matched Telefunken EF-14 tubes with circuit topology similar
to that of the original U-47. Both TM-1s used
Peluso capsules, which were laser matched.
 Present
for the shootout at the Rotund Rascal studio were performers
Harry Orlove and Randy Crenshaw. Both microphones were fed
through identical amplifier chains and great care was taken to
eliminate all variables so that a good comparison could be
made.
One of the design objectives
for the CM-2461NiCo was to give it specific coloration. The
BV8 used an iron, nickel and cobalt alloy for the
laminations which gives it its own characteristics.
The CM-2461NiCo uses a combination of specially treated
steel, high nickel and cobalt laminations. The objective was
to give it a “cleaner” sound while maintaining “warmth.”
Harry Orlove Bio
and CD Harry's
Website
As can be seen from the compiled
spectrogram of the session, the CM-2461NiCo has better low
frequency response and a brighter high end.
 Session
Comparison
The BV8 has complex harmonics. The
CM-2461NiCo achieved simplified harmonic structure thus giving
a cleaner sound as can be seen in these spectrographs.
 BV8
FFT
 CM-2461
NiCo FFT
The first major consideration for the
design of the CM-2461NiCo was that it had to be well behaved
when driven from high impedance sources. Next, it had to have
broader bandwidth. Finally, each lamination alloy (steel, high
nickel and cobalt) was specially annealed to give the proper
spectral response.
Hear the CineMag difference.
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