German studio specialist Neuman.Berlin introduces the V 402, a state-of-the-art microphone preamplifier with integrated headphone monitoring.

The V 402 is Neumann’s first-ever stand-alone microphone preamp – although the company has created several generations of top-quality preamp modules for its mixing consoles, such as the now legendary V 476 B of the 1980’s. Like its predecessors, the 402 preamplifier is conceived as the perfect complement to all Neumann and other high-class studio microphones.

“All Neumann microphones, classics as well as current models, have highly unique sound characteristics”, explains Ralf Oehl, the Berlin company’s new CEO. “Finding a preamplifier with the matching uncompromised sound fidelity wasn’t always easy – until now! The V 402 provides the ideal signal path for all Neumann microphones because it is free from any coloration whatsoever. No artificial additives could make the sound of a Neumann U 47 or U 87 more desirable than it already is. Perfection cannot be perfected!”

The V 402 is a dual channel microphone preamplifier carefully designed to maintain the sonic integrity of the original signal. Its unique transformerless circuitry amplifies the microphone signal without unwanted coloration or sonic artifacts, such as noise and distortion. While this is also often claimed for simple preamps such as those in audio interfaces, the V 402 is built to much higher standards.

“It took an elaborate development process with extensive series of measurements and critical listening tests to create a preamplifier worthy of the Neumann name,” comments Portfolio Manager Sebastian Schmitz. “And we’ve included the monitoring side, too. The V 402 establishes a fully transparent signal chain extending from the microphone all the way to the engineer’s ear. Finding the best microphone position has never been easier.”

The V 402 is equipped with a studio grade headphone amplifier ensuring uncompromised monitoring quality at the recording stage. Independent volume controls for each channel allow to dial in a latency-free monitoring mix without affecting the recorded signal.

As a true Neumann product, the V 402 is characterized by exacting attention to every detail. For example, the DI input is also designed for sonic purity. Its novel high-impedance input stage captures the sound of electric guitars and basses as well as other instruments with no loss of detail and free from audible noise.

Its switchable high pass removes rumble and pops very effectively without signal degradation. A 20-dB pad allows the V 402 to be used with high-level sources up to 28 dBu without distortion.The V 402 comes in a 2U 19” rack enclosure measuring 89 mm x 483 mm x 242 mm.

Delivery starts in July 2020; the MSRP is $2,899.00 USD.

Neumann is the world’s leading manufacturer of studio microphones and the creator of recording legends including the U 47, M 49, U 67, and U 87. Neumann has re-issued its famous U 67 tube microphone. It was the microphone that defined the sound of the sixties.

The U 67 tube microphone, introduced in 1960, was the quintessential studio workhorse throughout the formative years of modern music. To this day, many top-level engineers would choose the U 67 as their “desert island” microphone for its inimitably smooth sound and extraordinary versatility. This universal studio microphone has acquired a legendary status, and with it a large and passionate community of fans.

With three selectable polar patterns – omni-directional, cardioid, and figure-of-8 – and advanced tube circuitry, including low-cut and pad switches, the Neumann U 67 is well equipped for virtually any recording task.

Its smooth top-end with a subtle tube shimmer makes the U 67 an outstanding vocal microphone for both male and female voices. Due to its essentially linear response in the three polar patterns, the U 67 is also a very versatile microphone for all kinds of instruments such as strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, drums, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar and upright bass.

Sonically, the current re-issue is identical to the U 67 made from 1960 – 1971. It uses the same capsule and electronic design. Key parts, such as the BV 12 output transformer, have been meticulously reproduced according to original documentation. Its EF86 tubes have been carefully selected in a dedicated measurement facility for optimal characteristics and lowest noise,

The U 67 comes in a vintage case that is – just like the U 67 re-issue – hand-made in Germany. Besides the microphone, it includes an elastic suspension, a microphone cable and the NU 67 V power supply. The power supply was redesigned to meet today’s strict safety requirements and to accommodate the slightly higher filament current of newer premium-grade tubes The new NU 67 V is fully compatible with other U 67 microphones, and automatically adapts to the local mains voltage.

The U 67 Set will be available from March of 2018.