ELA M 260

The small diaphragm ELA M 260 features a circuit design based around a 5840W vacuum tube and a custom (U.S. made) output transformer.

Variants

Quantity

A matched set of three ELA M 260 tube microphones with interchangeable TK60 Cardioid, TK61 Omnidirectional and TK62 Hypercardioid capsules, along with a set of three 40mm diffuse field spheres

Each system includes:

(3x) M 260 Tube Microphones
(3x) TK60 Cardioid Capsules
(3x) TK61 Omni Capsules
(3x) TK62 Hypercardioid Capsules
M 963 Power Supply
(3x) M 803R Right Angle 7-Pin XLR Tube Microphone Cable – 7m
(3x) M 761 Elastic Shock Mounts
(3x) WS20 20mm Foam Windscreen
(3x) SD40 40mm Diffusion Spheres
FC63 Locking Flight Case

$4,995.00

ELA M 260

One of the few small diaphragm tube microphones available today, the ELA M 260 is an absolute first choice for acoustic instrument recording. Everything from stringed instruments to drum overheads will benefit from the 260’s perfect combination of small diaphragm precision and classic tube warmth. Its tonality and detail when capturing acoustic instruments, especially strings, brass, woodwind and percussion is unrivaled. Hand-built in the USA, the ELA M 260 is available Cardioid only or with all capsule options (Master Set), as well as in Stereo and Tri-Mono (Decca Tree) packages, which include an American-made power supply and matched thread-on interchangeable capsules in a premium flight case.

Features

A brilliant combination of tube warmth and small-diaphragm precision
Flattering tone and open top end complements most acoustic instruments
Thread-on TK6x Series capsules provide Cardioid, Hypercardioid, and Omni polar patterns
Vintage-inspired 5840W vacuum tube-based amplifier
Designed and hand assembled in the USA
Recommended Applications: Acoustic Guitar, Violin, Mandolin, Drum Overheads

Technical Specifications

Type: Vacuum Tube Condenser

Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Hypercardioid

Frequency Range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±3 dB

Power Source: External Power Supply

Capsule: TK60, TK61, TK62 - Edge Terminated Small Diaphragm, Thread-on

Tube: NOS Philips 5840W

Transformer: TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik T60

Sensitivity: 16.5 mV/Pa, ±1 dB

THD at 1kHZ at 1Pa (Amplifier): < 0.15%

Output Impedance: 200 Ω

Maximum SPL (for 1% THD): 135 dB

S/N Ratio: 83 dBA

Self Noise (Amplifier): 11 dBA

Dimensions: 140 mm L x 20 mm Dia

Weight: 116 g

Included Accessories: Tube Mic Cable, Power Supply, Shock Mount, Foam Windscreen, Carrying Case

Frequency Response

Configuration Options

ELA M 260 Cardioid

ELA M 260 tube microphone system with TK60 Cardioid capsule

Each system includes:

M 260 Microphone
TK60 Cardioid Capsule
M 902 Power Supply
M 803R Right Angle 7-Pin XLR Tube Microphone Cable – 7m
M 761 Elastic Shock Mount
WS20 20mm Foam Windscreen
ZC60 Zipper Case

ELA M 260 Cardioid Stereo Set

A matched set of ELA M 260 tube microphones with TK60 Cardioid capsules

Each system includes:

(2x) M 260 Tube Microphones
(2x) TK60 Cardioid Capsules
M 902S Power Supply (updated May 2026)
(2x) M 803R Right Angle 7-Pin XLR Tube Microphone Cable – 7m
(2x) M 761 Elastic Shock Mounts
(2x) WS20 20mm Foam Windscreen
ZC60S Zipper Case (updated May 2026)

ELA M 260 Master Set

ELA M 260 tube microphone with interchangeable TK60 Cardioid, TK61 Omnidirectional and TK62 Hypercardioid capsules

Each system includes:

M 260 Tube Microphone
TK60 Cardioid Capsule
TK61 Omni Capsule
TK62 Hypercardioid Capsule
M 902 Power Supply
M 803R Right Angle 7-Pin XLR Tube Microphone Cable – 7m
M 761 Elastic Shock Mount
WS20 20mm Foam Windscreen
ZC60 Zipper Case

ELA M 260 Master Stereo Set

A matched set of ELA M 260 tube microphones with interchangeable TK60 Cardioid, TK61 Omnidirectional and TK62 Hypercardioid capsules

Each system includes:

(2x) M 260 Tube Microphones
(2x) TK60 Cardioid Capsules
(2x) TK61 Omni Capsules
(2x) TK62 Hypercardioid Capsules
M 902S Power Supply (updated May 2026)
(2x) M 803R Right Angle 7-Pin XLR Tube Microphone Cable – 7m
(2x) M 761 Elastic Shock Mounts
(2x) WS20 20mm Foam Windscreen
ZC60S Zipper Case (updated May 2026)

ELA M 260 TRI-MONO Set

A matched set of three ELA M 260 tube microphones with interchangeable TK60 Cardioid, TK61 Omnidirectional and TK62 Hypercardioid capsules, along with a set of three 40mm diffuse field spheres

Each system includes:

(3x) M 260 Tube Microphones
(3x) TK60 Cardioid Capsules
(3x) TK61 Omni Capsules
(3x) TK62 Hypercardioid Capsules
M 963 Power Supply
(3x) M 803R Right Angle 7-Pin XLR Tube Microphone Cable – 7m
(3x) M 761 Elastic Shock Mounts
(3x) WS20 20mm Foam Windscreen
(3x) SD40 40mm Diffusion Spheres
FC63 Locking Flight Case

“Acoustic guitar is a complex instrument and you have to be very careful of boominess, and sometimes it can just be too big sounding, so mic placement is really important. You want to make sure you stay away from the sound hole. There's something about small diaphragm condenser mics that makes them really responsive. I like all the little nuances, and things really pop out with a small diameter condenser. With the shape of the 260 plus the tube there's a richness there. These mics just sound really, really natural.”

Jim “Kimo” West – Guitarist, Weird Al Yankovic

“The 260s have a nice smooth texture, so if you are working with an instrument that is a little harsh or too bright, it gently smoothes it out.  Here’s another example: if you’re not careful when recording a mandolin, you get undesirable overtones between the bridge and the tailpiece that have nothing to do with the tempered scale.  But I put the 260 about six inches away and got a perfect sound.  I’m looking forward to using these mics on a hammered dulcimer, which in my opinion is the hardest instrument to record.”

Bill VornDick – Nashville based recording engineer

ELA M 260

ELA M 260

Features

Technical Specifications

Frequency Response