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Telefunken ELA M 251E Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone

Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Mic with Cardioid, Omni, and Figure-8 polar patterns, Locking Flight Case, Lunchbox-style Power Supply, and Wooden Microphone Box
$11,995.00

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Telefunken ELA M 251E Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone
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This article was Written By

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A Meticulous Reissue of a Glorious-sounding Classic

The Telefunken ELA M 251E large-diaphragm tube condenser mic is a faithful rendition of a legend. The original, introduced in 1960, is reverentially considered to be one of the most gorgeous sounding mics ever made. With rare working-condition vintage '251s going for major ducats, this meticulous reissue is a no-brainer if you're after that uniquely smooth, present, and open sound you've heard on countless hits. Sporting three pickup patterns and a max SPL of 138dB, this microphone delivers sumptuous results on any instrument. Stock your mic locker with a classic: the Telefunken ELA M 251E.

Achieve sonic opulence (without a second mortgage)

Made from 1960 to 1965 with an estimated total production run of fewer than 3,700 units, the original Telefunken ELA M 251E is highly coveted. Rare working-condition vintage examples fetch well into the five figures, when you can even find one for sale. So, Telefunken did something very intelligent: a meticulous reissue. But first, as there were no available blueprints or schematics for the original, they had to reverse-engineer from prime vintage samples. The results are jaw-dropping: pure sonic opulence.

Three polar patterns accommodate any recording task

With its three pickup patterns, the Telefunken ELA M 251E is ideal for a range of stereo recording techniques if you have two, including Spaced Pair (A/B), XY (including Blumlein), ORTF array, and Mid-Side (MS). Read on for a few examples to get the creative juices flowing.

A few examples of what you can do with this incredible mic

Two singers, one mic: grab the Telefunken ELA M 251E, set it to figure-8, and you're good to go. Record a sax solo overdub with natural "slap": position the ELA M 251E (again, on figure-8) between the sax player and the control room window and adjust mic position to taste. Ginormous Val Garay-style toms (two racks and a floor): three '251s on cardioid, fairly close-in, just don't let the drummer hit the mics! Full symphony orchestra, Bob Fine's Mercury Living Presence technique: Three '251s, set to omni, across the proscenium arch; record to three tracks panned left, center, and right. Set your levels for peaks, then leave those faders alone and let the conductor balance the orchestra. We could go on, but you can already see how the Telefunken ELA M 251E can be used in any number of ways to produce incredible sounding tracks.

Telefunken ELA M 251E Large-diaphragm Multi-pattern Tube Condenser Mic Features:

  • A glorious sounding reissue of a glorious sounding classic
  • Meticulously crafted to historic detail
  • Edge-terminated, dual backplate CK-12 capsule
  • 1" dual-sided gold sputtered membrane
  • External power supply (supplied)
  • 3 polar patterns: cardioid, omni, and figure-8
  • 138dB maximum SPL
  • Includes locking flight case, lunchbox-style power supply, and wooden microphone box
  • Handbuilt in the USA

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Tube Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
  • Diaphragm Size: 1" (25.4mm)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Max SPL: 138dB
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms (50 ohms Switchable)
  • Self Noise: 16dB (A weighted)
  • Power Source: External power supply
  • Connector: XLR
  • Weight: 1.25 lbs. (2.12 lbs. w/Swivel)
  • Included Accessories: Elastic Shock Mount, Flight Case, Wooden Mic Box, Quad-shielded Mic Cable
  • Manufacturer Part Number: SYTM-003

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

It all makes sense!

Title says it all, there's a reason this is one of the greats & is still used by many top artists today.

Big lows, beautiful silky highs above the sibilance range, amazing detail, & incredible versatility.

It's not cheap but it's an investment that'll last a lifetime, and if this were the only mic I ever owned, I'd be completely happy. It'll work on anything!
Music background: Artist / Mixing Engineer
Rated 5/5

Magical & Flawless



The Telefunken ELA M 251 E is more $ than the legendary Telefunken U47, the Collectors Edition Neumann U67, the AKG C12 VR, or even the Telefunken C12.
It took some research to find out why this mic is revered as one of the most magical microphones out there. Singers like Celine Dion, R Kelly, and Kanye West among many other famous artists record with it. According to many professional sound engineers, the Telefunken 251 E sounds magical on anything you put in front. Especially vocals, and even high frequencies like overheads in drums. This mic handles the high frequencies with a certain magical shimmer that must be experienced to fully understand.

I found out that the company was bought out by an American and they are now established in Connecticut. Well, I happen to live in CT so the folks at Telefunken were gracious to host me a visit where I compared the U47 & the ELA M 251 E with two different mic-pres; a Grace Designs for transparency, and a vintage 1073 for color.

It was such an awesome experience! I wanted to put the mics to the test by singing in front of it with my acoustic guitar (Taylor 914ce V series.) The U47 sounded amazing. The U47 made my vocals sound great but not the guitar. The 251 E was smoother, and it balanced the acoustic guitar quite well; as if the guitar had its own mic. . Furthermore, the 1073 took the mics to the next level. So I made up my mind. The ELA M 251 E sounded way better

Shout out to Tomir my sales rep at Sweetwater for helping me get one of these puppies super soon. Thank you Tomir!!!

Once I got the mic, I really got to experience a closer look. The engineering of this mic is absolutely superb. The case that it comes with. The paint, the wood box, the serial numbers, the connectors. There is not one microphone company that pays so much attention to detail. Not even Neumann. For example, look at the pin connectors t the bottom of this mic, then see the competition. It really is superb.

Once again, I got to record with it at home (vocal chain: Apogee Symphony MkI > BAE 1073 > ELA M 251 E) this mic requires almost no eq'ing and minimal compression. I am blown away by how smooth and beautifully balanced it sounds. ON ANYTHING! I highly highly recommend this mic. It's definitely one of the best top 3 mics of all time and it will increase value over time. Furthermore, the more it's used, the better it will sound as these elite tube microphones tend to do so. Thank you Telefunken and Sweetwater. It shall be my intention to make Epic music with it : )
Music background: Singer Songwriter
Rated 5/5

Recorded my new album - Night Rider (Danny Lerman) - Saxes on the Telefunken ELA M 251E -Love it!

I had a shootout at the Sweetwater Studio with 15 mics. Including the Telefunken U 47, Neuman U 87, Manley tube Mics, ribbon, 414's, and many others.

The Telefunken ELA M 251E had a 3 dimensional sound that none of the other mics had. It's particularly forgiving when micing a bit too close, where other mics may sound too bright and harsh, the Telefunken ELA M 251E sounds musical.

If you would like to hear what it sounds like on my saxes, check out songwhip.com/dannylerman/night-rider
Alto on Love Feels Like, Berliner Bob
Soprano on Night Rider
Tenor on Pepper Hot

Enjoy!

I also love it on vocals. My recording chain is: Rupert Neve Shelford Channel, LA 2A, Apogee Symphony I/O MKI

I'll also say my sales rep Delvin, is the best.

Danny Lerman
Music background: Artist/Producer/Composer
Rated 5/5

Best Mic I ever heard

Created a custom home studio for Suzy Nash. When Suzy last tracked in Nashville, she went with a pretty standard vocal channel - U87i into an Avalon 737sp and then into ProTools with ProTools HD native A/D hardware. So, I got together with my Sweetwater representative, Josh Hacker, and a couple of engineers from both Q County Studios and Blackbird Studios in Nashville and all of them said the same thing when I asked... "What Mic should I buy?" The Telefunken ELA M 251 E! Of course Blackbird told me "that's what Martina uses!".

So, I had Josh send me one. We also got a hold of a pair Rupert Neve Shelford Channels and a TubeTech CL-1B to round out the vocal channel... ELAM251E -> Shelford Channel -> CL1B -> Apollo X16 -> Protools (on a Sweetwater Creation Station)...

...and that's the GREAT thing about Sweetwater... ONE STOP SHOPPING!

Got it all hooked up and the results speak for themselves.

If you are a serious, professional vocalist, stop thinking about it and get one of these mics. You cannot go wrong. Oh, by the way, you can't go wrong with Sweetwater either!!!
Music background: Full-time, professional musician
Rated 5/5

Elam 251 E

We invested in a stereo set of 251"s and let me tell you there is no disappointment! These mics are extremely musical and have not sounded close to bad on any source we throw at them. We also invested in a set of telefunken c12s.
The c12s sound amazing on acoustic instruments and female vocals in my opinion and definitely have their own magic to be reckoned with. The 251s just seem to be able to accept anything from fluttery flutes to head ripping electric guitars with power and grace. If are fortunate enough to get your hands on one or two for that matter do not hesitate! Hit up Mike Picotte ext. 1268 and he will take excellent care of you. Mike is extremely knowledgeable in his field and has top notch costumer service.
Music background: Multi-instrumentalist, producer

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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Ashton Vaudt

Whenever I put the Telefunken ELA M 251E in front of a singer or amp, I achieve the instant clarity and definition that can be so hard to obtain - not to mention gorgeous tone. All I ever really need when using this mic is just a touch of compression, and I’m all set. It's very difficult to put into words how incredible this microphone is.
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