Andrew Pilling
"Sagen Hallo Zu Mein gering Freund" (Say hello to my little friend)
This small dynamic microphone, one of only a few examples of this type of mic that I know of. Not making it into Neumann's production line. Baring only the Neumann Name plate (Badge) logo, without any ID markings or serial numbers on the outer rim of the Tuchel connector mounting sleeve, except for a small paper label on the inside of the connector sleeve that was illegible. Deep research and a special thanks to (the late) Manfred Krauter has led me to this scenario: It was hard times for former Neumann employes that were working at the Funkberater factory in the Pankow section of East Berlin. It was practically forced labor under the repressive yoke of Nikolay Zakharov, Andrey Soloviev and Helmutt Poppe who were the Soviet Labor Commandants of east Berlin From the late 1950's through the mid 1960's. Since this microphone was not going into Neumann's production line, sympathetic Neumann (friends) employes threw the Funkberater workers a bone to help them along during those tough times. Sure enough, and in short order (1960), the Funkberater factory began manufacturing a small dynamic microphone named the MD-30 and within a few years the MD-30 and It's offspring were being produced in several factories. There are a few differences between my Neumann and the East German Funkberater versions: My mic is painted in a translucent silver/green enamel finish and is about 5/8" shorter, having a different kind of threaded Tuchel connector mounting sleeve compared to the Funkberater version. I have only seen two other mics like mine. Today there are many RFT Funkberater PGH MD-30 Dynamic Microphones up for sale. they can range from $100 to $300 bucks apiece. I purchased my Mic for $50 in a NYC pawn shop in 1978. Neumann has no knowledge of, or keeps any records on or about this microphone?.
"Sagen Hallo Zu Mein gering Freund" (Say hello to my little friend)
This small dynamic microphone, one of only a few examples of this type of mic that I know of. Not making it into Neumann's production line. Baring only the Neumann Name plate (Badge) logo, without any ID markings or serial numbers on the outer rim of the Tuchel connector mounting sleeve, except for a small paper label on the inside of the connector sleeve that was illegible. Deep research and a special thanks to (the late) Manfred Krauter has led me to this scenario: It was hard times for former Neumann employes that were working at the Funkberater factory in the Pankow section of East Berlin. It was practically forced labor under the repressive yoke of Nikolay Zakharov, Andrey Soloviev and Helmutt Poppe who were the Soviet Labor Commandants of east Berlin From the late 1950's through the mid 1960's. Since this microphone was not going into Neumann's production line, sympathetic Neumann (friends) employes threw the Funkberater workers a bone to help them along during those tough times. Sure enough, and in short order (1960), the Funkberater factory began manufacturing a small dynamic microphone named the MD-30 and within a few years the MD-30 and It's offspring were being produced in several factories. There are a few differences between my Neumann and the East German Funkberater versions: My mic is painted in a translucent silver/green enamel finish and is about 5/8" shorter, having a different kind of threaded Tuchel connector mounting sleeve compared to the Funkberater version. I have only seen two other mics like mine. Today there are many RFT Funkberater PGH MD-30 Dynamic Microphones up for sale. they can range from $100 to $300 bucks apiece. I purchased my Mic for $50 in a NYC pawn shop in 1978. Neumann has no knowledge of, or keeps any records on or about this microphone?.