REFURBISHED - UNITRA TONSIL MDO 21 - XLR

stylish Eastern European dynamic microphone with unmistakable visual inspiration from the classic Telefunken TD series. The Tonsil MB Unitra MD021 combines lightweight construction with a focused cardioid pickup pattern and a distinctly vintage industrial appearance. Its front-address design, patterned front grille section, and elongated body strongly recall microphones such as the Telefunken TD12 and TD21, while still maintaining its own unique Polish character.

Produced for speech, communication, and general recording applications, the MD021 delivers a warmer and low mid-focused vintage dynamic sound with a pleasantly soft high end. This example has been professionally refurbished to XLR for practical modern studio use.

OPTICAL CONDITION

Very good vintage condition overall.
The microphone remains remarkably well preserved considering its lightweight plastic construction and age. Surface wear is minor and fully consistent with careful use. The printed grille-style front section remains clean and visually attractive, with all structural parts intact.

TECHNICAL CONDITION

Fully functional.
This microphone has been refurbished to XLR for direct compatibility with modern audio equipment.

The original on/off switch has been bypassed, resulting in a direct uninterrupted circuit for improved reliability and consistent signal flow. The microphone now operates continuously without interruption from the original switching system.

THIS ITEM INCLUDES

The microphone alone

BUILD & DESIGN

Slim lightweight handheld design with strong visual similarities to the Telefunken TD microphone family, particularly the TD12. The body features a molded front grille section designed to visually resemble a traditional mesh structure, similar in concept to the partially enclosed grille construction seen on the Telefunken TD21 series, with acoustic openings concentrated at the front of the capsule area.

The microphone is exceptionally lightweight in hand — almost comparable to the weight of the XLR connector itself — giving it a very characteristic portable feel.

This example has been converted from its original connection standard to XLR for practical modern operation.

Capsule

Dynamic cardioid capsule optimized for speech intelligibility and close-range pickup. The tuning provides a focused midrange presentation with controlled low frequencies and smooth upper-end behavior.

Circuit

Passive dynamic design with refurbished XLR output. The original on/off switch circuitry has been bypassed, resulting in a simplified uninterrupted circuit with direct signal flow.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Dynamic microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Connectivity: Refurbished XLR output
Output: Balanced XLR
Country of Manufacture: Poland
Manufacturer: Tonsil MB Unitra
Model: MD0 21

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

Estimated Frequency Response:
100 Hz – 13,500 Hz

• Controlled low-frequency roll-off below 100 Hz
• Mid-focused vocal presence
• Smooth upper midrange character
• Gentle high-frequency attenuation above 13 kHz

SOUND CHARACTERISTICS

The MD021 offers a classic vintage Eastern European dynamic microphone sound with a nicely controlled full-range response for its compact size and lightweight construction. The low end remains restrained but usable, while the midrange is clear and focused with pleasantly soft upper frequencies extending surprisingly far for a microphone of this type.

It performs especially well on:

• Spoken voice
• Lo-fi recording applications
• Vintage broadcast-style vocals
• Guitar amplifier recording
• Experimental and retro production work

The overall presentation feels natural, smooth, and slightly compressed in a musically pleasing way.

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