Neumann SM23c

Here we have my Neumann SM23c microphone which is a revision of the SM2, Neumann’s first ever coincident stereo mic released in 1956.

It essentially contains two single KM56 microphones permanently configured in XY stereo, one capsule above the other with the top capsule having the ability to rotate 270 degrees for different micing techniques.

The KM56 is a mic you don’t see too often but you might recognise due to them being used exclusively on vocals during the recent Beatles documentary, Get back.

Using the SM23 on vocals is not something I do often but the results are surprisingly good for a small diaphragm capacitor microphone.

The mic has two #Telefunken #AC701k thermionic valves, variable multi-pattern pickup and two nickel small diaphragm dual-membrane capsules of which one can be rotated to fine tune the stereo positioning.

The SM2 or SM23 was fairly short lived and production was ceased in 1966 but nonetheless these days is considered a studio classic.

This mic is one of my absolute favourites and sounds sublime on acoustic stringed instruments. The detailed mid range and smooth top end are characteristics of the nickel capsules and ac701k combination.

Nickel capsules are something you don’t see produced too often these days but are responsible for some of the finest small diaphragm capacitor microphones ever built.

Favourite uses for this mic are on acoustic guitar in a mid/side formation, as overheads or in front of the kit in XY, on piano in XY or just using a single capsule on Double Bass.