NEUMANN USM 69 i

Product overview

The NEUMANN USM 69 i is a one-point stereo microphone for all coincident stereo techniques such as XY, MS and Blumlein: two large-diaphragm capsule systems, each with its own five-position pattern selector, with the upper system rotatable over 270°.

Stereo recording with two separate microphones can be cumbersome, especially in coincident set-ups where the capsules must sit very close together at a defined angle. The USM 69 i makes this easy: two separate dual-diaphragm condenser capsules, mounted vertically, each with its own head amplifier feeding separate pins of the XLR 5 output, make it two independent microphones in one package that needs only one stand. With 13 dB-A self-noise and 132 dB maximum SPL it can be placed freely for the best sound and imaging. It can also record a mono source with two patterns at once. Available in nickel and matte black (USM 69 i mt).

Key features

• Stereo microphone for XY and MS stereophony, including Blumlein
• Two large-diaphragm capsules with separate pattern selection
• Five polar patterns per capsule: omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-8
• Upper capsule rotates against the lower capsule over 270°; colour marks show the pick-up angle
• Very low self-noise: 13 dB-A
• Two electrically independent systems on one XLR 5 output; active subsonic filter ahead of the output transformers
• 48 V phantom powering (P48), 2 x 0.7 mA
• Two finishes: nickel and matte black (mt)

Two microphones in one

The head houses two completely separate condenser elements with gold-coated polyester membranes, one above the other, each with its own preamp. Sounds from different directions produce only intensity differences, no phase differences, between the two systems, so both signals combine to a good mono signal without phase cancellation. System I (lower, fixed, axis marked by the Neumann emblem) has the yellow selector and pins 2 (+) and 3; system II (upper, rotatable, axis marked by an embossed dot) has the red selector and pins 4 (+) and 5.

Reliable by design

Both systems are electrically independent: a fault in one channel does not affect the other, so the USM 69 i can serve as its own backup. Even if the DC converter for the capsule bias should fail, a diode circuit keeps both systems operating in cardioid with a sensitivity reduced by only 3 dB.

Applications

The USM 69 i is an excellent stereo microphone for vocal and instrumental ensembles, drum overheads, large instruments such as grand piano and harp, and solo instruments when stereo width and spatial movement are wanted. It is also a superb microphone for radio drama and audio book productions, with a sound similar to the Neumann U 87 Ai but adding a stereo perspective.

In the box

• USM 69 i microphone (nickel) or USM 69 i mt microphone (matte black)

Available versions

• USM 69 i: nickel, Cat. No. 006974
• USM 69 i mt: matte black, Cat. No. 006976

NEUMANN USM 69 i: frequently asked questions

Which stereo techniques can I use with the USM 69 i?

All coincident techniques: XY, MS and Blumlein. Each capsule has five patterns and the upper capsule rotates over 270°.

Which cable do I need?

The USM 69 i has an XLR 5 output for both systems. NEUMANN offers the IC 5 and IC 6 (with swivel mount) cables with XLR 5 connectors and the AC 20 Y-cable, which splits the two systems into two XLR 3 mono channels.

Does the USM 69 i need phantom power?

Yes: 48 V phantom power (P48, IEC 61938) on both channels, 2 x 0.7 mA. Any P48 supply that provides at least 2 mA per channel is suitable.

Can I use the USM 69 i for mono?

Yes. It can record a mono source with two different polar patterns simultaneously, or feed two mono channels where two independent microphones or a backup are needed.

Where can I buy the NEUMANN USM 69 i in India?

The NEUMANN USM 69 i is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: XY stereo of an ensemble

Engineers recording vocal or instrumental ensembles.

Connections

Setup

1. Mount the USM 69 i in front of the ensemble.
2. Set both selectors to cardioid.
3. Rotate the upper capsule to the required angle using the colour marks.
4. Match both gains and check the stereo image.

Tip: Coincident capsules give no phase differences, so the mix stays mono-compatible.

Workflow 2: MS recording

Engineers who want adjustable stereo width.

Connections

Setup

1. Point the lower system (Neumann emblem) at the source with a forward-facing pattern.
2. Set the upper system to figure-8 and rotate it to the side.
3. Record both channels.
4. Decode to left / right in the mix.

Tip: Each capsule has its own five-position selector.

Workflow 3: Grand piano and harp

Studios recording large instruments in stereo.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the microphone at the instrument.
2. Choose the patterns for the stereo technique.
3. Set the angle of the upper capsule.
4. Check the stereo width and record.

Tip: One stand makes re-positioning quick.

Workflow 4: Drum overheads

Drum recording in studios.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the USM 69 i above the kit.
2. Choose an XY or Blumlein set-up with the two selectors.
3. Set the gain; the USM 69 i handles up to 132 dB SPL.
4. Record.

Tip: The active subsonic filter protects the output transformers from structure-borne noise.

Workflow 5: Radio drama and audio books

Speech productions that need a stereo perspective.

Connections

Setup

1. Set up the USM 69 i in the room.
2. Choose the patterns for the scene.
3. Let speakers move within the stereo image.
4. Record a test with normal speech and set the levels.

Tip: Its sound is similar to the U 87 Ai, with a stereo perspective added.

Workflow 6: Mono with two patterns or a backup

Broadcast and live recording where reliability matters.

Connections

Setup

1. Set the two selectors to the same or different patterns.
2. Record both systems on separate channels.
3. Choose the better pattern in the mix, or keep one as backup.
4. If one side fails, the other continues unaffected.

Tip: The two systems are electrically independent.