The name Telefunken may be synonymous with vacuum tubes and tube mics, but that didn’t stop the esteemed brand from proudly putting its badge on Telefunken’s first phantom-powered large-diaphragm FET (non-tube) condenser mic, the Telefunken TF11. As the latest entry in Telefunken’s popular Alchemy Microphone Series, the TF11 can be scored as a single mic or as a matched stereo pair to accommodate the needs of vocalists, instrumentalists, and recording engineers making great tracks at home, in the studio, or on stage.
Like other models in the Alchemy Microphone Series, the TF11 is hand-assembled and thoroughly tested in the USA. Following assembly, the amplifier in each TF11 is tuned by hand to exact the minimum achievable distortion, then the mic is subjected to subsequent frequency-response testing and aural analyzation. So, when you get a TF11, you know that Telefunken has invested serious time to ensure it performs at its peak.
Since the sound of a mic starts with its capsule, Telefunken chose a CK12-style, edge-terminated, single-membrane version of the capsule used in the TF51 mic, yielding a cardioid polar pattern and tone akin to the venerable C12 mic, sans tube, of course. That capsule is combined with first-class solid-state electronics—an ultra-low-noise JFET amplifier, an OEP/Carnhill nickel-iron core transformer, Nichicon electrolytic capacitors, and made-in-the-UK polystyrene film capacitors—to offer a sound that Telefunken details as open and dynamic with impactful mids and clear, present highs. Plus, with its low self-noise, high SPL handling, and fast transient response, the TF11 is advantageous for a range of acoustic and electric instruments, as well as vocals. It also sports a low-profile body to allow proper positioning in spaces where more typically sized condensers can’t fit. So, go ahead and put it up close on drums!
Though an original C12 may be unobtainable for most, the TF11 is well within your reach. Stop by the B&H SuperStore or visit our website to become the proud owner of a TF11 and make your recording dreams a reality!
