Telefunken ELA M 260-SS Stereo Set

Small Diaphragm Valve Microphone

The small diaphragm ELA M 260 has become a staple for use in a multitude of recording applications due to its natural presence and high level of detail and clarity, especially in acoustic and classical applications. Keeping this in mind, TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik is now offering the ELA M 260 Stereo Set.

The matched ELA M 260 Stereo Set comes in a custom locking flight case that carries both M801 cables, M761 shock mounts, microphones, wooden boxes, and an American-made dual-channel M960S power supply unit. This newly designed power supply is fully regulated and will power one or both microphones simultaneously, and features a slow-ramping heater voltage to ensure vacuum tube longevity.

The ELA M 260 Stereo Set also features two sets of 3 interchangeable capsules: the TK60 cardioid, TK61 omni, and TK62 hypercardioid, so the user can have the flexibility to record their source material in any way they wish.

Stereo recording techniques include X/Y coincidental pairs with the microphones in cardioid, and A/B spaced pairs with either cardioid or omni-directional patterns. Using these techniques, or others, in conjunction with a pair of ELA M 260’s will result in an ideal recording set up for string sections, acoustic guitar, drum overheads, or as room microphones.

The ELA M 260 Stereo Set offers the user the knowledge and comfort that the tools they are using will give identical responses for their most important stereo recording.

Sonic Characteristic

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.

Circuit Design

The ELA M 260 system features a new circuit design based around a New Old Stock (NOS) EF732 / 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.

Accessories

All ELA M 260 system packages are supplied with a set of three interchangeable capsules: the TK60 cardioid, 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 microphone also includes a M 960 power supply, M 801 25’ dual-shielded TX-7 tube microphone cable, M761 elastic shock mount, and wooden microphone box.