Another Modern Classic From Telefunken
At Sweetwater, Telefunken microphones are held in high esteem, and we’re not just talking about vintage models. Inspired by cherished golden age classics, today’s Telefunken Alchemy Series mics boast thoroughly modern state-of-the-art designs and are voiced from the ground up to have unique sonic profiles. Case in point: the Telefunken TF17. This large-diaphragm FET condenser mic serves up the bold, mid-forward “German sound” coveted by engineers, producers, and artists for over a half-century. The TF17 has a fixed cardioid polar pattern, but that’s not a compromise at all for perhaps 90% of your typical studio and stage applications. If you want an affordable large-diaphragm FET condenser mic that delivers outstanding performance on vocals and instruments of all types, make room in your mic locker for the Telefunken TF17. Trust us: you’ll be reaching for it constantly.
Related Videos: TF17 Large-diaphragm FET Condenser Microphone
Capture sounds that punch through the mix
Combining a mid-forward voicing with state-of-the-art FET technology and a fixed cardioid polar pattern, the TF17 is a do-it-all studio workhorse that renders vocals and instruments with an authoritative sonic imprint reminiscent of certain treasured vintage designs. If you’re looking for lead vocals that punch through thick arrangements, the TF17 delivers. To your delight, you’ll find that tracks captured with the TF17 brim with vibrancy and are easier to place in the mix, offering not only workflow advantages but mixes that translate to the world outside your studio and hold up well on real-world playback systems where lackluster mixes go to die.
Classic, mid-forward tonality
The TF17’s extended low-frequency response, confident midrange, and natural high end offer a classic tonality that, combined with the microphone’s quick, punchy transient response, high SPL handling, and low self-noise, makes it ideal for a multitude of sources, including vocals, piano, drums and percussion, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, brass, strings, and woodwinds. The TF17’s robust build quality and ability to handle loud sources also broaden its versatility beyond the studio, making it a perfect choice for sound-reinforcement applications in which condenser mics are often avoided. Whether you engineer in your home studio, mix live sound, or manage a large recording facility, the Telefunken TF17 is a compelling value.
Unique circuit design with premium parts
Developed, handcrafted, and tested to fastidious quality standards in Telefunken’s Connecticut facility, the TF17 employs a discrete, through-hole topology in a unique circuit design that incorporates top-drawer parts shared with other Telefunken microphones. The TF17’s center-terminated K47S capsule is a single-membrane version of the capsule in the TF47. Its high-performance, hand-tuned, ultra-low-noise JFET amplification stage is coupled to a custom nickel-iron-core transformer made in the UK by OEP/Carnhill. Other premium components include UK-made polystyrene film capacitors and Nichicon Fine Gold electrolytic capacitors. Premium parts such as these can be found throughout the Telefunken lineup.
Versatile cardioid polar pattern
Think about it: If you had to choose only one polar pattern for all the mics in your studio, cardioid would be it. Although we certainly recommend having omnidirectional, figure-8, and hypercardioid microphones in your mic locker, your cardioid mics will be your go-to microphones for the vast majority of recording and live sound reinforcement tasks. A great-sounding cardioid condenser mic like the Telefunken TF17 will enjoy constant use in your studio. And when you factor in the TF17’s budget-friendly price, it’s an incredible bargain. Therefore, it makes sense to double your value by owning a pair of them for countless stereo capture applications!
Telefunken TF17 Features:
- Bold, mid-forward tonality with quick, punchy transient response
- High SPL handling, low-noise phantom-powered FET amplifier
- Compact size ideal for all recording environments
- Robust build quality perfect for studio and stage applications
- Polar pattern: cardioid
- Frequency range: 20Hz–20kHz (±3dB)
- K47S center-terminated large diaphragm, single-membrane capsule
- Amplifier type: transistor (requires 48V phantom power)
- Transformer: OEP/Carnhill T217
- Sensitivity: 12mV/Pa (±1dB)
- THD (1kHz): 0.01%
- Output impedance: < 200 Ω
- Maximum SPL (f1% THD): > 135dB
- S/N ratio: 91dBA
- Included protective case, dust cover, swivel mount, and shockmount
- Designed, hand-assembled, and tested in the USA
