TELEFUNKEN TK61 Omnidirectional Capsule

Product overview

The TELEFUNKEN TK61 Omnidirectional Capsule is a single TK61 omnidirectional capsule for the TELEFUNKEN M60 FET and ELA M 260 small-diaphragm condenser microphones.

Fitted to an M60 FET it makes the M61; fitted to the tube ELA M 260 it gives that microphone the same omnidirectional pattern. TELEFUNKEN recommends using the TK61 with SD40 diffuse-field spheres to make the upper midrange frequencies more directional. The capsule threads on and off the amplifier body in seconds and carries an edge-terminated 15 mm diameter, 6-micron gold-sputtered membrane, held to a strict ±1 dB sensitivity tolerance and individually tested and matched by frequency response in TELEFUNKEN's American facility.

TK61 polar pattern	Omnidirectional
6‑micron gold‑sputtered membrane	15 mm
Sensitivity tolerance	±1 dB
Presence peak; flat 20 Hz - 5 kHz	8 kHz

Key features

• TK61 omnidirectional capsule
• Response: flat 20 Hz to 5 kHz, presence peak at 8 kHz
• Thread-on design: changes pattern in seconds without tools
• Edge-terminated small diaphragm: 15 mm diameter, 6-micron gold-sputtered membrane
• Strict ±1 dB sensitivity tolerance, individually tested and matched by frequency response
• Fits the TELEFUNKEN M60 FET (phantom-powered FET) and ELA M 260 (tube)
• Tested in TELEFUNKEN's American facility

The TK61 sound

The TK61 is flat from 20 Hz to 5 kHz with a presence peak at 8 kHz. TELEFUNKEN notes that omnidirectional capsules retain low-frequency information with distance while picking up more of the room, which makes the TK61 the natural choice for spaced pairs, room microphones and three-microphone trees in good-sounding spaces. Pair it with SD40 diffuse-field spheres to make the upper midrange frequencies more directional.

Two microphones, one capsule family

The TELEFUNKEN Small Diaphragm Condenser Series features the vacuum tube-based ELA M 260 and the phantom-powered M60 FET, and both accept the thread-on TK6x capsules. The ELA M 260 adds natural warmth and clarity; the M60 offers low self-noise and ultra-fast transient response. One capsule collection serves both bodies.

Expand or replace

Use it to add a new pattern to an existing M60 or ELA M 260, to replace a damaged capsule, or to keep spares for a studio or rental inventory. TELEFUNKEN's zipper cases include capsule containers: the ZC61 holds three capsules and the ZC62 holds six.

Stereo configurations from the SDC manual

• XY (TK60 or TK62): two microphones angled 90 degrees apart with the centres of the capsules directly over each other, as close as possible without touching; direct-sounding and always phase coherent
• ORTF (TK60): two microphones angled 110 degrees apart with the capsules spaced 17 cm, designed to mimic the placement of the human ears
• Spaced pair (TK60 or TK61): two parallel microphones about 60 cm apart, or up to 3 m depending on the distance from the source, the environment and the desired stereo width
• Three-microphone tree (TK61 with SD40 spheres): left and right 2 m apart, centre 1.5 m in front, distances no less than 1.5 m

Fitting and care

Changing a capsule takes seconds and needs no tools: mute the channel, power the microphone down, unscrew the fitted capsule and thread on the new one until it is seated. On the M60 FET, switch +48V phantom power back on and allow 15 seconds for the microphone to power up. The tube ELA M 260 runs from its external power supply; make all connections before powering it on and let the system warm up for 10 minutes before use. Keep spare capsules in the capsule containers of a TELEFUNKEN zipper case, away from dust and moisture, and never touch the membrane.

TELEFUNKEN stereo tips

• Check phase: always listen for phase cancellation between microphones
• Distance and low end: cardioid capsules lose low end with distance, while omnidirectional capsules retain low-frequency information
• Room noise: omnidirectional capsules pick up more ambient noise, so cardioid and hypercardioid capsules are recommended for less than ideal recording environments

What's included

Included	One TK61 omnidirectional capsule
Not included	Microphone body, cable, mount and case

In the box

• TELEFUNKEN TK61 omnidirectional capsule

TELEFUNKEN warranty: capsules carry a 90-day warranty, extended to one year when the product is registered with TELEFUNKEN; SDC Series warranties are fully transferable between owners. Store capsules in their containers and keep the membrane away from dust and moisture.

TELEFUNKEN TK61 Omnidirectional Capsule: frequently asked questions

Which microphones does it fit?

The TK6x capsules thread onto the TELEFUNKEN M60 FET and the TELEFUNKEN ELA M 260 tube microphone.

What does the TK61 sound like?

Flat 20 Hz to 5 kHz, presence peak at 8 kHz. Omnidirectional capsules retain low-frequency information with distance; TELEFUNKEN recommends SD40 diffuse-field spheres to make the upper midrange more directional.

Is a microphone body included?

No. This product is the capsule only. The M60 FET Amplifier is listed separately, as are complete M60 FET and ELA M 260 systems.

What warranty does a TK6x capsule carry?

TELEFUNKEN gives capsules a 90-day warranty, increased to one year when the product is registered. SDC Series warranties are fully transferable between owners.

Is a matched pair available?

Yes, the TELEFUNKEN TK61 Capsule Matched Pair is listed as a separate product at Shivansh Electronics.

Where can I buy the TELEFUNKEN TK61 Omnidirectional Capsule in India?

The TELEFUNKEN TK61 Omnidirectional Capsule is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Fitting the TK61

Adding or changing the capsule on an M60 FET or ELA M 260 body.

Connections

Connect	To
TK61 capsule	Threads onto an M60 FET or ELA M 260 amplifier
M60 FET (3‑pin XLR)	Mic preamp input with +48V phantom power
ELA M 260	Its tube microphone cable and external power supply, then 3‑pin XLR to the preamp

Setup

1. With the channel muted, switch off phantom power (M60) or turn off the power supply (ELA M 260) before unscrewing the fitted capsule.
2. Thread the TK61 capsule onto the amplifier body until it is seated.
3. Power up again: +48V phantom power for the M60 (15 seconds) or the power supply for the ELA M 260 (10 minutes warm-up).
4. Check the signal and set gain for the source.

Workflow 2: Spaced pair for rooms and ensembles

TELEFUNKEN recommends TK61 or TK60 capsules for the A/B spaced pair.

Connections

Connect	To
2x TK61 capsule	Thread onto two M60 FET or two ELA M 260 bodies
2x M60 FET (3‑pin XLR)	Two mic preamp inputs with +48V phantom power
2x ELA M 260	Their tube cables and power supplies, then 3‑pin XLR to two preamp inputs

Setup

1. Thread a TK61 capsule onto each body (two capsules needed; the TK61 Capsule Matched Pair is listed separately) and fit M 761 shock mounts.
2. Connect the microphones to the preamp inputs.
3. Mute, then power up: +48V phantom power for the M60 (15 seconds) or the power supply for the ELA M 260.
4. Set the microphones parallel about 60 cm apart, up to 3 m depending on distance and desired stereo width; match gain.

Workflow 3: Three-microphone tree

TK61 capsules with SD40 diffuse-field spheres, as described in the SDC manual.

Connections

Connect	To
3x TK61 capsule + SD40 sphere	Thread onto three M60 FET or three ELA M 260 bodies
3x M60 FET (3‑pin XLR)	Three mic preamp inputs with +48V phantom power
3x ELA M 260	Their tube cables and power supplies, then 3‑pin XLR to three preamp inputs

Setup

1. Thread a TK61 capsule with an SD40 diffuse-field sphere onto each of three bodies (three capsules needed) and fit M 761 shock mounts.
2. Connect the microphones to the preamp inputs.
3. Mute, then power up: +48V phantom power for the M60 (15 seconds) or the power supply for the ELA M 260.
4. Place left and right 2 m apart and the centre 1.5 m in front; keep distances no less than 1.5 m and angle the outer microphones outwards up to 90 degrees.

Tip: Omnidirectional capsules pick up more ambient noise; use them in good-sounding rooms.

Workflow 4: Room and ambience

A distant microphone that keeps low-frequency information.

Connections

Connect	To
TK61 capsule	Threads onto an M60 FET or ELA M 260 amplifier
M60 FET (3‑pin XLR)	Mic preamp input with +48V phantom power
ELA M 260	Its tube microphone cable and external power supply, then 3‑pin XLR to the preamp

Setup

1. Thread the TK61 capsule onto the body and fit an M 761 shock mount.
2. Connect the microphone to a preamp input.
3. Mute, then power up: +48V phantom power for the M60 (15 seconds) or the power supply for the ELA M 260.
4. Place the microphone well back in the room, away from walls, and blend it with the close microphones; check phase.

Workflow 5: Spare capsule for the session

A ready replacement so a session or show is never held up.

Connections

Connect	To
TK61 capsule	Threads onto an M60 FET or ELA M 260 amplifier
M60 FET (3‑pin XLR)	Mic preamp input with +48V phantom power
ELA M 260	Its tube microphone cable and external power supply, then 3‑pin XLR to the preamp

Setup

1. Keep the spare capsule in its container in the microphone case.
2. With the channel muted, switch off phantom power (M60) or turn off the power supply (ELA M 260) before unscrewing the fitted capsule.
3. Thread on the spare capsule and power up again.
4. Check the signal before resuming.

Workflow 6: Studio and rental inventory

Keeping capsule stock in step with M60 and ELA M 260 bodies.

Connections

Connect	To
TK61 capsule	Threads onto an M60 FET or ELA M 260 amplifier
M60 FET (3‑pin XLR)	Mic preamp input with +48V phantom power
ELA M 260	Its tube microphone cable and external power supply, then 3‑pin XLR to the preamp

Setup

1. Store TK61 capsules in labelled containers by pattern.
2. Before each booking, fit and test every capsule on a body.
3. Power up and check output and noise.
4. Record which capsule went out with which body.