UHER M539 Microphone - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MikeCross · 6th Mar 2020, 8:01 pm

I have just been given one of these microphones but cannot find any information relating to it other than its 1970's manufacture.

Does anyone have the spec for this mic.
What type is it.
What is it's impeadance.
Does it require phantom power.
It has a switch marked M and S.

I am hoping it will be a good recording mic rather than just sound reinforcement.

Any information would be great.

DMcMahon · 7th Mar 2020, 12:38 am

Cannot easily find a downloadable spec. Looking at various bits and pieces, it looks like quite a good mic and somewhat rare nowadays.

Described as a Studio Omnidirectional Dynamic mic, frequency response is 40Hz - 17kHz, the switch is for Speech and Music, described as a 2 position bass roll off switch which modifies the frequency response.

Evidently used a lot with the early portable Uher R2R machines.

Described as low impedance, I did see 500 ohms referenced on one site.

I don't think it requires any power.

Amraduk · 7th Mar 2020, 12:55 am

Hello Mike,

From what I could gather on-line, it's a moving coil microphone with a cardiod pick-up pattern. I couldn't find any info about its frequency response but as it is actually an AKG mike, I think it should be pretty good! It has a Tuchel connector but a short adapter lead is available for use with XLR connectors

The M-S switch is Music-Speech, in the speech position, there will be some bass attenuation because cardiod microphones give an increased bass output with close speaking. I couldn't find any information about its impedance but it will probably be low impedance. Being a moving coil microphone, it doesn't require phantom power.

Regards,

Dave.

PS. Crossed with DMcMahon!

MikeCross · 7th Mar 2020, 9:52 am

Thank you for the information.

Will try it this week.

David Pinnegar · 26th Jun 2020, 9:54 pm

I've been investigating this series of microphones. They're well shock-absobed so when hand held for working with video one has less handling noise.

The M537 is cardiod and the M539 is omnidirectional, although with better treble at the front. The front response of the M537 and M539 is the same, and very flat through to around 10k where from memory there's a small bump and some range beyond. If anyone reminds me I'll try to post some graphs.

The M538 is a special beast, along the lines of the AKG D200 D202 D224 series, remarkably flat and extending beyond 10k. The magic of these mics is that frequency response at 90 degrees and to the rear is very close to the front, but at a lower level, it being cardioid.

All three are really lovely mics.

However, there's only a 20-50% chance of getting a good one. Of the M538 D202 D224 genre of dual capsule mics often one of the capsules isn't working or deviates erratically and for no apparent reason. Good examples of these mics are to be treasured.

Best wishes

David P

David Pinnegar · 28th Jun 2020, 1:44 pm

https://youtu.be/SFSYXmcPasw
is a comparison between the
Takstar TS5 dynamic capsule vs ref
Takstar CM60 Capacitor mic vs ref
An upgraded BM800 with upgraded capsules and modified electronics
UHER M537 red and M539 blue
AKG D202 vs ref
AKG D224 matched pair vs ref

Best wishes

David P

David001 · 28th Jun 2020, 7:20 pm

I have an M514, the M and S positions are as said above. These are well-made mics.

6th Mar 2020, 8:01 pm	#1
MikeCross Tetrode Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Tring, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 87	UHER M539 Microphone I have just been given one of these microphones but cannot find any information relating to it other than its 1970's manufacture. Does anyone have the spec for this mic. What type is it. What is it's impeadance. Does it require phantom power. It has a switch marked M and S. I am hoping it will be a good recording mic rather than just sound reinforcement. Any information would be great.

7th Mar 2020, 12:38 am	#2
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Re: UHER M539 Microphone Cannot easily find a downloadable spec. Looking at various bits and pieces, it looks like quite a good mic and somewhat rare nowadays. Described as a Studio Omnidirectional Dynamic mic, frequency response is 40Hz - 17kHz, the switch is for Speech and Music, described as a 2 position bass roll off switch which modifies the frequency response. Evidently used a lot with the early portable Uher R2R machines. Described as low impedance, I did see 500 ohms referenced on one site. I don't think it requires any power.

7th Mar 2020, 12:55 am	#3
Amraduk Hexode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 453	Re: UHER M539 Microphone Hello Mike, From what I could gather on-line, it's a moving coil microphone with a cardiod pick-up pattern. I couldn't find any info about its frequency response but as it is actually an AKG mike, I think it should be pretty good! It has a Tuchel connector but a short adapter lead is available for use with XLR connectors The M-S switch is Music-Speech, in the speech position, there will be some bass attenuation because cardiod microphones give an increased bass output with close speaking. I couldn't find any information about its impedance but it will probably be low impedance. Being a moving coil microphone, it doesn't require phantom power. Regards, Dave. PS. Crossed with DMcMahon!

7th Mar 2020, 9:52 am	#4
MikeCross Tetrode Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Tring, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 87	Re: UHER M539 Microphone Thank you for the information. Will try it this week.

26th Jun 2020, 9:54 pm	#5
David Pinnegar Diode Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 2	Re: UHER M539 Microphone I've been investigating this series of microphones. They're well shock-absobed so when hand held for working with video one has less handling noise. The M537 is cardiod and the M539 is omnidirectional, although with better treble at the front. The front response of the M537 and M539 is the same, and very flat through to around 10k where from memory there's a small bump and some range beyond. If anyone reminds me I'll try to post some graphs. The M538 is a special beast, along the lines of the AKG D200 D202 D224 series, remarkably flat and extending beyond 10k. The magic of these mics is that frequency response at 90 degrees and to the rear is very close to the front, but at a lower level, it being cardioid. All three are really lovely mics. However, there's only a 20-50% chance of getting a good one. Of the M538 D202 D224 genre of dual capsule mics often one of the capsules isn't working or deviates erratically and for no apparent reason. Good examples of these mics are to be treasured. Best wishes David P

28th Jun 2020, 1:44 pm	#6
David Pinnegar Diode Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 2	Re: UHER M539 Microphone https://youtu.be/SFSYXmcPasw is a comparison between the Takstar TS5 dynamic capsule vs ref Takstar CM60 Capacitor mic vs ref An upgraded BM800 with upgraded capsules and modified electronics UHER M537 red and M539 blue AKG D202 vs ref AKG D224 matched pair vs ref Best wishes David P Attached Thumbnails

28th Jun 2020, 7:20 pm	#7
David001 Tetrode Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Posts: 83	Re: UHER M539 Microphone I have an M514, the M and S positions are as said above. These are well-made mics.