TELEFUNKEN Alchemy Microphone Series: Audio Comparison (TF29, TF39, TF47, TF51)

[@vxshwa]

I bought the Telefunken TF29 Copperhead (Exactly the same as the TF39 minus the 2 other polar patterns) and I can 100% confirm that this is the BEST sounding mic I've ever used!! I've also tried the TF51 and wow that thing is on another level, but the TF29 has the most character of them all for me, and I have absolutely no regrets about my purchase!

[@fabricator.cap.hill.seattle]

You got any AB test comparisons?

[@joeboonmusic4004]

This sort of sold me on the TF47... Sounds so wonderful. Also, big thanks to Telefunken for really allowing their mics to shine with such great performances from all the musicians. Really enjoyable video.

[@KasperViggoJensen]

To have these multitracks to compare, is simply gold. Well done, Telefunken. Time to bring it into Logic and sell myself on a new mic.

[@emerymesich1134]

I purchased the 51, I watched this vid before making my purchase and it more that lives up to the expectation its really incredible very surprising you dont hear more ppl talking about it. Such a smooth sounding mic u can use it on anything. Anyways thx telefunken

[@kma997]

I’m currently thinking about buying the TF51 or the Neumann U87, can you tell me mir about the Tf51?

[@timuryesa]

@@kma997 any news bro? did u bought the tf51? Im on the same decision like u haha

[@kma997]

@@timuryesa I bought the Neumann and couldn’t be happier!! The Neumann is very neutral and what I really have to point out it sounds exactly like you hear yourself! Often when we hear ourselves in a videos etc. we’re like „that’s what I sound like?!“ but with the Neumann you sound like you hear yourself which is not very spectacular. It sounds great in any genre and will bring a fantastic result what ever you do but it doesn’t has the „wow effect“. The Tf51 on the other hand is not a workhorse like the Neumann. It’s not as natural sounding and has almost a velvety sound it definitely has the advantage when it comes to the „wow effect“ over the Neumann. It can make simple recordings sound like a hit record where in comparison the Neumann need more work done afterwards to make it sound like a hit BUT sometimes the velvety sound is just too much and you would want to prefer something more neutral. If it’s your 1st mic go for the Neumann by any means. If you already have a neutral mic the Tf51 is the perfect addition as its sounds unbelievable especially in the highs but it’s not neutral at all.

[@timuryesa]

@@kma997 thank u!!! that was detailed. appreciate your help. But i want something where are more details and top end without sounding harsh. I really like the tf51...i think the u87 shines with a neve but I dont wanna buy a neve just to make it crisp like the tf51. I feel the tf give me that elam251 vibe better for rnb and pop vocals...

[@eddwardmusic]

@@timuryesa hope u didn't get the U87, go all hands on TF51. P.S. TF51 and U87 user (U87 on the way to be sold)

[@jstruslow]

Tf 51 = Best full range, Tf 39 = Smooth high end, and easiest to use + controlled lows, Tf 47 = a bit more boosted in the high mids (1k) could compete with some harshness. All great mics. I think the 39 sounds most comparable to mid priced good quality condensers, the 51 has a wider range of uses and sounds the most professional. I would pass all together on the 47. Ive sang through and mixed using U87's, m149's, Rode nkt's , 414's, i think the the 51 is the only one of the batch that holds a candle to the heavy hitters. Just my opinion, to each their own.

[@kma997]

Would you choose the U87AI over the TF51?

[@pioferro]

They all sound great! In order of pref: TF47, 51 and 39. Great job guys!

[@Hexspa]

Pio Ferro Same, based on these demos.

[@TheRealTMajor]

39 on Drums all day!!! I really like the 51 on Bass and acoustic. 39 on Electric it sounds to me it's always between the 39 and 51 especially on vocals. I love this video.

[@tihomirvrbanec9537]

Great sounding mics! You really hear the frequency plot each of them has in sound. 39 having large bass sensitivity and highs, gently scooped middle, 47 having more midrange and being a bit compressed in bass and lacking some really low extension the 39 has and 51 being somewhere in between for me. That being said I would use 47 for drums, 39 for ebass, 47 or 51 for guitar, 47 for piano and I wouldn't even have to mix them heh

[@Hexspa]

Collect all 3! Great players! Feeling like the TF47 is most versatile but the TF39 had punch on the bass whereas the TF51 really brought out some nice upper mids in the electric guitar.

[@LosFicosMusic]

Mix them both when recording

[@e.apollis2877]

tf39 as overall mic for me!

[@ODBmusic314]

I do agree👊

[@MelkuMan]

Guys, your bass player - is amazing groove man!)

[@JeffreyMiddelveld]

Love sound of all mics! But I would go for the TF29/39, has the most defined clarity and transparity for me. Good video, thanks!

[@lukasmurmann625]

Agreed

[@ArnoldMooneySABNOCK]

Fürbar

[@AlbrechtProductions]

Thank you for such a great & helpful comparison video!

[@tanukibrahma]

TF51 for me on all sources. The 47 sounds too bright to me on most of these demos. The 39 is just okay to my ears. That said, I'm not sure any of these sound truly great on anything, but I'd need to own one to know for sure. Sarah Jarosz sounds great using the TF47, which is what got me interested in these mics.

[@lukasmurmann625]

On the electric guitar the 39 really stood out above the others. A much more forward and overall more realistic sound. The others sounded muddy in comparison

[@jonathandilin5301]

I rather spend money on renting and just save up to buy a 251 E. It honestly sounds so good, can't compare!

[@Hexspa]

Jonathan Dilin ya but you could almost buy a pair of each of these for the price. I like the 251 though too.

[@zacktomsmusic]

TF39/ high noisy - good for drums/cymbals, TF47 sounds filtered good for bass, TF51 great balance for professional vocals for recording. Mix together in this order you'd have a great sounding track. I was looking to add the TF39 to my studio until i can find and afford a 251 , but the TF39 looks like its too scratchy for vocals in the booth so i will have to spend a little more and get the TF51 for vocal recording. Thanks for the listening samples.

[@alexgrenier7383]

For me On drums, TF39, on bass 47, on acc guit 39, on elec guit 39, piano 47 or 51, male vocal 51, female vocal 47. I have the ak47 here for vocal and its amazing, but I must say i'm really tempted by the TF51 :O

[@joeschlicht]

Agreed, I thought the female vocal sounded best with the 47 and the male with the 251, which seems to be the opposite of "typical "uses from my reading.

[@jammusique]

Really helpfull, thanks !!

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

Really focused on the male vocals. Really couldn't tell differences. Tghinking it's because I don't have the ear of an engineer :( Trying to decide between a Telefunken TF29, TF11 or Vanguard V13. My present mic Rode NTK1000 gives me sibilance issues.

[@TheManInCommand]

Love the Deep Tone of the TF51

[@bensilicate]

Very good shootout !!

[@davebrogan]

I came here thinking I wanted a 39 for drums, but I think the 51 has presence for days, sounded better on everything and gives me more to start with for carving later. 39 is "warm" and probably more of a "plug-n-play" solution for drums but I sounded a bit lifeless to me.

[@thesearethesuns]

Audio picked up through the 51 sounds record ready… especially the vocal examples.

[@Exhilife]

tf 51 for basically everything. Only the 39 on vocals and e guitar sounds more pleasant to me

[@jessekerley8625]

What's up with the hackey sack?

[@producerbenford]

51 sounds like a published work

[@mikebottiaux5850]

This comparison was extremely helpful in making my decision. I liked what the TF51 has to offer for my purpose.

[@danielkang7789]

why isn't Tf29 in the vocal comparison

[@TELEFUNKENElektroakustik]

It's sonically identical to the TF39.

[@ulyssesbenton8082]

The 47 on drum

[@klainkaroo7552]

Whats the name of the female singer? that just blew me away!

[@TELEFUNKENElektroakustik]

Erica T. Bryan! www.westendblend.com/ and facebook.com/TheNewMosaicMusic/

[@EricCraigMusic]

Not much to debate here. The 39 sounds the best on every source. It’s remarkable that in 2 versions now they’ve not figured out how to get the 47 or 51 right. I owned both the previous models and neither got much use until sold. They looked cooler than they sounded.

[@Zarabozo]

I liked the 39 the best on everything except for the woman's voice. For that, my favorite was the 47. To me, it tamed exactly what it needed taming on the high mids. For everything else, my favorite was the 39.

[@Mikey__R]

@@Zarabozo I wonder whether careful EQing or even multiband dynamics could give a similar result? If you're a vocalist looking for the best mic for your voice, the 47 might make sense, if you've got the budget. If you're an engineer looking for one good mic, I think I also preferred the 39.

[@Hub3rtCumb3rdal3]

I have a crush on that girl at the end. Also, these mics sound mint

[@SuperEman500]

Ja, sie sieht köstlich aus. 😜🍆👌

[@diegoaraujoshows]

Amigos, ustedes que saben, cual consideran mejor para un cantante varon tenor? Gracias * Friends, you who know, which do you consider best for a male tenor singer? Thanks

[@Zarabozo]

En este ejemplo, TF39 fue el mejor en mi opinión para la voz masculina. Pero no se puede decir que hay un micrófono ideal para una voz masculina tenor; cada voz tiene sus características únicas y un hombre tenor puede sonar perfecto en un modelo, mientras que otro hombre tenor puede sonar perfecto en otro modelo. Lo mismo sucede con voces femeninas. En este ejemplo, para la mujer, en mi opinión el mejor fue el TF47.

[@sonicstep]

I only noticed a difference with the drumming. TF39 seemed to be more sensitive to high frequencies. The others seemed more neutral, muted to high freqs. not so open in sound. Could not tell any difference between TF47 nor TF51. Having said that, I have been listening via my LG G6 not even earphones, but its inbuilt speaker. As such, I can't realistically judge.

[@Hexspa]

sonicstep Perhaps listen again with better monitoring because I’m not hearing that in DT-770s.

[@av3nger3]

@@Hexspa the 51 has the most extended high frequencies...that 47 sounds dark, and to me the TF-39 has fantastic control of sibilance and a mid punch.

[@Hexspa]

@@av3nger3 We all hear differently. I think the 47 has a nice snare crack around 3500-5000Hz.

[@ItzrealMusic]

@@av3nger3 so the 51 extended high frequencies/ or the 47? dark?

[@av3nger3]

@@ItzrealMusic the 47 is good for the midrange detail of rocking and chugging guitars and dark vocals. The 51 is great for female and standard vocal delivery, as well as capturing bright tones such as hi hats and cymbals without shattering the ears from poorly or overly saturated high frequencies. The 39 sounds like a u87 on vocals with a slight mid cut that allows the vocals to sound clearer. Keep in mind that this is my experience from many other videos including this one (u87 vs Cu29 comparison video also). I also have a TF-39 so I know what it sounds like raw and with effects.

[@vincenteoppolo9025]

The acoustic guitar needed more gain or move closer.

[@BradMillsXRP]

Great overhead drum sound, but I'd get rid of those symbols

[@rudy2030]

5:05

[@MrDoru17]

tf 47..

[@liberallarry847]

Kids these days "I've been listening on my phone speakers and I can't hear the difference between any of these mics."

[@edwardcampbell7918]

Oh yeh sure. Fk plazing guitar takes a lot of time.