The Telefunken ELA M 251 is considered one of the finest microphones ever made, cherished by audio engineers, producers, and musicians for its timeless sound quality.
The ELA M 251 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that uses a vacuum tube (typically an AC701k tube) to achieve its characteristic warm, rich sound. It also features a CK12 capsule, which contributes significantly to its sonic signature.
The Telefunken ELA M 251 was originally developed in the late 1950s. Telefunken, a German company, collaborated with AKG to produce this microphone. It was intended to compete with other high-end microphones of the time, such as the Neumann U47.
The microphone offers three selectable polar patterns—cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8—making it versatile for different recording applications. For instance, the Neumann U47, another standard offered two patterns Omni and cardioid, users had to purchase the U48 to get Cardioid and figure of 8, for instance Abbey mode their U47’s to have a figure of 8 pattern which John Lennon and Paul McCartney used to sing on either side of the mic.
Somically, the ELA M 251 is renowned for its smooth and detailed sound. It excels in capturing vocals, acoustic instruments, and other sources where clarity and warmth are desired. The microphone is praised for its ability to capture subtle nuances and deliver a natural, airy sound.
Due to its legendary status, original ELA M 251 microphones are rare and extremely valuable. However, several modern manufacturers produce faithful reproductions and inspired versions of the ELA M 251, ensuring that its legacy continues in contemporary recording studios.
Producer, Engineer and Mixer Matt Weiss flew to the Powerstation in Miami Florida and did a shootout of 251s.
In the video he shot out an original Telefunken ELA M251 against 3 clones:-
Warm Audio WA-251
Circle Audio EVO251
Bock Audio 251
Plus a mystery mic which Matt Weiss will be revealing in the next episode, along with the full results of which mic was which in the shootout.
Download the Multitracks here!
Please check out the video, download the tracks to compare yourself and please let us know what you thought was the best sounding mic!