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Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $5,472
High-end/Boutique
$100
$401+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Neumann M149 Tube". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Crafted with reverence for the past and a vision for the future, the Neumann M149 Tube Microphone embodies the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern innovation. Modeled on the legendary M49, the M149 Tube carries forward the legacy of its predecessor with an added contemporary edge. Featuring the renowned K 47/49 large-diaphragm capsule, this microphone boasts an unmatched sonic balance and presence that has become a benchmark in the recording industry.
Inside the acoustically open head grille, the dual-diaphragm capsule minimizes internal reflections, ensuring the purest, most authentic sound capture. Amplification is handled by a specially selected subminiature triode tube, optimized for minimal noise and maximum transmission characteristics. The final stage of the M149's journey involves a high-precision, ultralow distortion transformerless output stage. This preserves the full dynamism of the tube circuit and is well-suited to modern-era signal chains.
With nine directional characteristics and a 7-position low cut, the M149 offers unparalleled flexibility that makes it a truly universal studio microphone. Whether it's vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, percussion, strings, brass, or woodwind instruments, this microphone captures every nuance with precision and clarity. The M149 is not just a microphone; it's a testimony to Neumann's commitment to superior audio quality and innovative engineering.
Key Features:
- Classic K 47/49 large-diaphragm capsule for unmatched balance and presence
- Specially selected subminiature triode tube for optimum noise reduction and transmission characteristics
- High-precision, ultralow distortion transformerless output stage for preserving full dynamics
- Nine directional characteristics and a 7-position low cut for maximum flexibility
- Exceptionally low self-noise figure of only 13dB-A (cardioid mode)
- Ability to drive long cable runs of up to 300 m without transmission losses
- Suitable for a wide range of instruments, including vocals, guitar, percussion, and orchestral instruments
Owner's manual
Neumann M149 Tube User ManualProduct specs
| Microphone Type | Tube Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Omni, Wide Angle Cardioid, Cardioid, Hypercardioid, Figure-8 |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Max SPL | 136dB |
| Output Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 78dB, 81dB, 83dB (A weighted) |
| Self Noise | 16dB, 13dB, 11dB (A weighted) |
| Low Cut Filter | Seven-step High-pass Filter |
| Power Source | External power supply |
| Connector | XLR |
| Weight | 1.61 lbs. |
| Included Accessories | Shock Mount, Carry Case |
FAQs
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What type of power supply does the Neumann M149 Tube microphone require?
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The Neumann M149 Tube microphone requires an external power supply, not standard 48V phantom power.
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What polar patterns are available on the Neumann M149 Tube microphone?
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The Neumann M149 Tube microphone offers nine polar patterns, including omni, wide-angle cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-8.
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Is the Neumann M149 Tube microphone suitable for high SPL environments?
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Yes, the Neumann M149 Tube microphone can handle a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 136dB, making it suitable for recording loud sound sources.
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What is the frequency response of the Neumann M149 Tube microphone?
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The Neumann M149 Tube microphone has a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, capturing a wide spectrum of audio frequencies.
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What accessories are included with the Neumann M149 Tube microphone?
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The Neumann M149 Tube microphone comes with a shock mount and a carry case for protection and easy transport.
Videos
Vintage King
Neumann Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Shootout | Vintage King
Neumann Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Shootout | Vintage King
Vintage King
Neumann M149 Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater
Neumann M149 Microphone Demonstration
Musos Corner
Neumann M 149 Tube Microphone | VintageKing.com
Vintage King
The Neumann M 149 Tube Microphone
Georg Neumann GmbH
Neumann M149 | Unboxing & Review Powered by You
Audio Test Kitchen
Neumann M149 from Al Schmitt
ANALOGr
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional on vocals, offering smooth, detailed sound
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Impressive performance on acoustic guitars with warm, rich tones
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Emulations inferior to the genuine M149 quality
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Minimal post-processing needed, great natural sound
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Versatile across various music genres, especially jazz, pop, and classical
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Enhances harmonics and smoothens transients for richer tones
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Compatible with a range of preamps for diverse sound textures
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Ideal for both professional studio recording and amateur use
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High-quality analog sound recording
CONS
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Cardioid and other pickup patterns not very distinct
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Construction includes plastic switches, not metal as expected for price
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Neumann M149 Tube.
Comparisons
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Owners note the M149 has character but suggest considering the U87 for longevity and versatility, or the AKG 414 for a more neutral sound.
Source -
The Warm Audio WA-47 is often preferred over the TLM103 for its superior sound quality, especially on baritone vocals.
Source -
Users highlight the Townsend Labs Sphere as a versatile alternative, with its ability to model various microphone types, including a convincing 251.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Regular servicing is needed for the M149, with reports of power supply failures in studios with daily use.
Source
Use cases and applications
Mods and upgrades
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Using a high-quality power supply with a transformer enhances the M149's performance significantly.
Source
Value and pricing
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Some users find the M149 overpriced and suggest investing in several versatile microphones instead for a broader range of options.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
Great vocal mic
I'm using the M149 mainly on female vocals. The M149 has a very detailed smooth sound, especially on the position between cardioid and hyper-cardioid.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Half way between cardioid and hyper cardioid.
Artist usage
Add artist
I use a Neumann 105 for vocals onstage, and for my EP I used a Neumann M149. I don’t have a standard guitar mic for in the studio, and when I mic my guitar live I usually just use a 57 or 58.
Used on vocals for Outkast's Speakerboxx/The Love Below.
"Neumann M 149 mics" is included in the list of equipment at Stuart Price's studio.
Ski mask seen freestyling on the M149 tube microphone 16 seconds into the video.
"We've been using the Neumann M 149 on Sarah, and it works beautifully... The M 149 is a very sweet sounding mic. It has lots of warmth and presence, and the purist highs. Sarah loves that mic, and I haven't tried any other mic on her since we started using it." - Pierre Marchand, Sarah McLachlan's producer, quoted on the True Systems website.
Used to record the vocals for "Don't Call Me", as seen in this music video documenting the recording session, particularly at 0:33.
Used for group vocals on XOXO, as stated by engineer Nick Tveitbakk in this October 28, 2020 Mix Online interview.
“We cut 90 percent of the lead vocals through a Wunder CM7 mic, which I really love,” KJ says. “That went through a Neve 1066 preamp, and then a Revision H 1176. Also, in the big room we had a Neumann M149 tube mic, which we used for group vocals. Sometimes all three of them would be singing around one mic.”
According to this Mixonline interview with producer Al Schmitt, M149s were used to record Krall's piano on Turn Up the Quiet.
Schmitt covered Krall’s custom-ordered Steinway grand with two Neumann M 149 mics, touched lightly with a Thermionic Culture Vulture Phoenix [sic] compressor. Each M 149 was placed a foot above the piano: one over the hammers, one over the instrument’s lower half.
“Diana sings softly, and she plays piano reasonably soft,” Schmitt explains. “She’s not a banger. We got a nice blend and tried to separate the piano from the voice as much as possible. We used a sleeve that fits over the piano. The sleeve has two holes where the microphones go in; that gives us separation between her vocal and piano, keeping the two clear and distinct, somewhat, not 100 percent.”
At 0:30 Yelawolf is in the studio rocking the M 149 from Neumann.
In an article from Soundonsound titled "Bruce Swedien: Recording Michael Jackson," it's noted that Bruce Swedien employs the Neumann M149 Tube Microphone in an XY stereo configuration for recording piano.
In a video titled "Messing around in the studio…" on his official YouTube channel, Will Smith is seen using the Neumann M149 Tube microphone.
Used for group vocals on XOXO, as stated by engineer Nick Tveitbakk in this October 28, 2020 Mix Online interview.
“We cut 90 percent of the lead vocals through a Wunder CM7 mic, which I really love,” KJ says. “That went through a Neve 1066 preamp, and then a Revision H 1176. Also, in the big room we had a Neumann M149 tube mic, which we used for group vocals. Sometimes all three of them would be singing around one mic.”
Album Usage
The Neumann M149 Tube has been featured on the following albums:
Xoxo
Jayhawks (2020)
Burn The Hoods
Ski Mask The Slump God (2020)
Turn Up The Quiet
Diana Krall (2017)
Don't Call Me
DMX & Rakim (2013)
Vices & Virtues
Panic! at the Disco (2011)
Heliocentric
The Ocean (2010)
Jack Johnson And Friends: Sing-A-Longs And Lullabies For The Film Curious George
Jack Johnson (2006)
Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Curious George
Jack Johnson (2006)
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Outkast (2003)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Neumann M149 Tube, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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