TELEFUNKEN M81 Red

Product overview

The TELEFUNKEN M81 Red is the supercardioid M81 universal dynamic microphone from the TELEFUNKEN Dynamic Series in a red Custom Shop finish, with a flat frequency response and exceptional midrange clarity for the stage and the studio.

The M81 is a proven choice for countless sources. It has the condenser-like response, minimal proximity effect and superior feedback rejection expected of a TELEFUNKEN Dynamic Series microphone, and its smooth response, clarity and wealth of body make it ideal for taming brighter vocals and guitar tones and for fattening up toms, horns and other thinner-sounding sources. A low-mass diaphragm and a custom-wound impedance-matching transformer make it an excellent first-choice dynamic for most situations. The TELEFUNKEN M81 Red has a red finish on both the body and the headgrille, with the TELEFUNKEN diamond badge on the handle, with exactly the same capsule, transformer and specifications as the Standard finish.

Maximum SPL (1% THD)	135 dB SPL
Frequency range, ±3 dB	50 Hz - 18 kHz
Sensitivity	1.54 mV/Pa
Polar pattern	Supercardioid

Key features

• Red body and matching red headgrille, identical specifications to the Standard finish
• Detailed, condenser-like performance in a rugged dynamic design
• Smooth frequency response with a clear, defined midrange
• Low-mass diaphragm designed to reduce proximity effect
• Supercardioid polar pattern with excellent off-axis rejection
• 25 mm dynamic moving-coil capsule and custom-wound T80 transformer
• High SPL handling: 135 dB SPL for 1% THD
• Designed and hand assembled in the USA

Sound character

Where the M80 is voiced with an extended top end, the M81 is tuned for a much more neutral, flatter response with increased midrange clarity. Bright voices and harsh guitar tones are smoothed without losing definition, while toms, horns and thinner sources gain body and weight. The result is a natural, honest sound that is easy to place in a mix.

The Red finish

The TELEFUNKEN M81 Red is one of the colours and finishes TELEFUNKEN offers for the M81 through its Custom Shop. A bold red finish makes the microphone easy to identify on a busy stage, helps each singer find their own microphone at a glance and stands out in photos, videos and live streams. Only the look changes: the capsule, transformer, sound, specifications and included accessories are exactly those of the M81 in its Standard finish, so a red M81 matches any other M81 in the system. The headgrille is a separate part that TELEFUNKEN lists for the M80 and M81, so a spare red headgrille can be kept for touring.

Minimal proximity effect

The low-mass diaphragm is designed to reduce proximity effect, so the low end stays controlled when a singer works close to the grille or when the microphone sits right on a drum or speaker. Tone stays consistent as the distance to the source changes, which makes the M81 dependable for performers who move around.

Supercardioid rejection

The supercardioid pattern gives superior off-axis rejection, keeping stage spill and ambient sound out of the channel. This is ideal for backing vocals near loud instruments or wedge monitors, and helps each source sit cleanly in the mix.

Built for the stage

The 184 mm, 430 g body is hand assembled in the USA and built for touring. The XLR connector is held in place by a recessed set screw that can be re-tightened with a small flathead screwdriver. As a dynamic microphone the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red needs no phantom power and connects with a standard 3-pin XLR microphone cable.

Part of a matched family

Each Dynamic Series model has its own strengths but is designed to complement the others, so the M81 blends naturally with the M80 and M82 in multi-microphone applications such as drum kits, vocal groups and horn sections. A typical pairing is the M80 on lead vocal or snare and the M81 on backing vocals, toms, guitar amps and horns, giving a cohesive sound across the whole stage. For artists, bands, churches and venues that want a microphone with its own visual identity, the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red delivers the full M81 performance in a red finish.

On stage and in the studio

On stage, the M81's off-axis rejection and controlled low end make it a dependable choice for backing vocals, toms, guitar cabinets and horns, where several open microphones share the same space. In the studio, its smooth, honest response takes the edge off bright sources and adds weight to thin ones, so tracks often need less correction later. Because it needs no phantom power and handles 135 dB SPL for 1% THD, the same TELEFUNKEN M81 Red moves easily between rehearsal room, stage and studio.

In the box

• TELEFUNKEN M81 dynamic microphone, red body with red headgrille
• M 780 Microphone Clip
• Microphone zipper bag

TELEFUNKEN warranty: 90 days on the capsule, extended to one year when the microphone is registered with TELEFUNKEN; Dynamic Series warranties are fully transferable between owners. Connect with a standard 3-pin XLR microphone cable.

TELEFUNKEN M81 Red: frequently asked questions

Does the red finish change the sound?

No. The TELEFUNKEN M81 Red has the same capsule, transformer, specifications and accessories as the M81 Standard; only the finish is different.

Does the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red need phantom power?

No. It is a dynamic moving-coil microphone and works from any standard mic input without phantom power.

What is the M81 best suited for?

TELEFUNKEN recommends it for vocals, toms, guitar amps and saxophone, and also lists distorted guitar amps, female vocals and brass among its strengths.

How does the M81 differ from the M80?

Both share the same 25 mm capsule and T80 transformer. The M81 has a flatter, more neutral response with a clear midrange; the M80 has a pronounced, extended high end.

Is the M81 good for singers who work close to the microphone?

Yes. Its low-mass diaphragm is designed to reduce proximity effect, keeping the low end controlled at close distances.

Where can I buy the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red in India?

The TELEFUNKEN M81 Red is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Live vocals and backing vocals

Lead and backing vocals on stage, where off-axis rejection keeps wedge monitors and ambient stage sound out of the channel.

Connections

Connect	To
Microphone (XLR output)	Standard 3‑pin XLR microphone cable
XLR cable	Mixing console, stage box or audio interface mic input
Mic input	Mic‑level gain; no phantom power required

Setup

1. Fit the M 780 microphone clip to a microphone stand or boom and press the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red into the clip.
2. Connect a standard 3-pin XLR cable from the M81 to the stage box or console mic input.
3. Point the front of the grille at the singer and keep the rear and sides away from the monitors.
4. Set gain while the singer performs at full level, then build the monitor mix.

Tip: Give each singer a different colour of M81 so every vocal microphone is easy to identify on stage.

Workflow 2: Toms

Rack and floor toms on stage or in the studio, where the M81 adds body and weight.

Connections

Connect	To
Microphone (XLR output)	Standard 3‑pin XLR microphone cable
XLR cable	Mixing console, stage box or audio interface mic input
Mic input	Mic‑level gain; no phantom power required

Setup

1. Fit the M 780 microphone clip to a microphone stand or boom and press the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red into the clip.
2. Connect a standard 3-pin XLR cable for each tom to the stage box, console or interface.
3. Angle each M81 at the drum head from the rim, clear of the drummer's sticks.
4. Set gain while the drummer plays the full kit at performance level.

Tip: Pair with the M80 on snare for a cohesive Dynamic Series drum sound.

Workflow 3: Guitar amps, clean and distorted

Electric guitar cabinets, including distorted tones that the M81's smooth response tames.

Connections

Connect	To
Microphone (XLR output)	Standard 3‑pin XLR microphone cable
XLR cable	Mixing console, stage box or audio interface mic input
Mic input	Mic‑level gain; no phantom power required

Setup

1. Fit the M 780 microphone clip to a microphone stand or boom and press the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red into the clip.
2. Connect a standard 3-pin XLR cable to the console or interface input.
3. Place the M81 facing the speaker cone of the cabinet.
4. Move the microphone across the speaker until the tone suits the part, then set gain.

Workflow 4: Saxophone

Alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, recommended by TELEFUNKEN for the M81.

Connections

Connect	To
Microphone (XLR output)	Standard 3‑pin XLR microphone cable
XLR cable	Mixing console, stage box or audio interface mic input
Mic input	Mic‑level gain; no phantom power required

Setup

1. Fit the M 780 microphone clip to a microphone stand or boom and press the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red into the clip.
2. Connect a standard 3-pin XLR cable to the console or interface input.
3. Aim the front of the grille between the bell and the keys of the instrument.
4. Set gain on the loudest passages and adjust position for the balance of breath and body.

Workflow 5: Brass and horn sections

Trumpet, trombone and horn sections, where the clear midrange keeps each instrument defined.

Connections

Connect	To
Microphone (XLR output)	Standard 3‑pin XLR microphone cable
XLR cable	Mixing console, stage box or audio interface mic input
Mic input	Mic‑level gain; no phantom power required

Setup

1. Fit the M 780 microphone clip to a microphone stand or boom and press the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red into the clip.
2. Connect a standard 3-pin XLR cable for each player to the stage box or console.
3. Aim each M81 at the bell of its instrument.
4. Set gain on the loudest section passages so peaks stay clean.

Workflow 6: Female and brighter vocals

Singers with a bright or edgy voice, where the M81's smooth response and midrange clarity give a fuller, more balanced tone.

Connections

Connect	To
Microphone (XLR output)	Standard 3‑pin XLR microphone cable
XLR cable	Mixing console, stage box or audio interface mic input
Mic input	Mic‑level gain; no phantom power required

Setup

1. Fit the M 780 microphone clip to a microphone stand or boom and press the TELEFUNKEN M81 Red into the clip.
2. Connect a standard 3-pin XLR cable to the mic preamp, interface or console.
3. Have the singer work directly into the front of the grille; reduced proximity effect keeps the low end steady at close distances.
4. Set gain on the loudest phrases and record or mix.

Tip: The red finish gives the microphone a distinctive look when a session is filmed or streamed.