Telefunken ELA M260

The small diaphragm ELA M 260 is arguably one of the industry's finest acoustic and classical recording tube microphones, offering plenty of tone with excellent detail and clarity.

Prior to 1959, TELEFUNKEN GmbH distributed Neumann GmbH microphones throughout the world. When Neumann GmbH decided to take their distribution direct, TELEFUNKEN GmbH commissioned Austrian company AKG Acoustics GmbH to produce a series of 5 microphones. This series of microphones was comprised of the famous ELA M 251, the ELA M 250, the stereo ELA M 270, and two small capsule microphones, the ELA M 260 and the ELA M 261.

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik is pleased to offer its first small diaphragm tube condenser, the ELA M 260. While not a historically accurate reproduction of the original ELA M 260 like the Diamond Series microphones, TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik's version of the ELA M 260 is still built with the same attention to detail and level of quality that would be expected from a TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik microphone.

One of the best recording tools for acoustic and classical music, the ELA M 260 system features a new circuit design based around a New Old Stock (NOS) EF-732 / 5840W vacuum tube and a custom output transformer that is wound to exacting specification in the United States. The combination of these features yields a small diaphragm microphone that is unique while also bearing the qualities of the vintage microphones that it was based upon.

In use, the ELA M 260 has plenty of tone with excellent detail and clarity. It captures sources with a natural presence, making it a fantastic tool for recording acoustic instruments of all types. Violin, cello, upright bass, drum overheads, percussion, woodwinds, saxophones, strings, and especially acoustic guitar all shine through the ELA M 260. Also, despite its size, it has also served well on vocal applications. Its unique tonal character is very well suited for a myriad of applications, both traditional and not.

All ELA M 260 system packages can be used with a set of three interchangeable capsules: the TK60 cardioid (included), TK61 omni, and TK62 hyper-cardioid. With all three capsules the user can have the flexibility to record their source material in any way they wish. Each system also includes an elastic shock mount, wooden microphone box and a dedicated power supply.

All system packages of the ELA M 260 can have a custom adaptor added which was designed by friend and fellow audio enthusiast, Chip Machokas, that permits the use of any of the AKG "CK" series of capsules (or capsules made by other manufacturers with the same thread) and Neumann bayonet-style capsules.