The Neumann Model U 47 was the first post-war mic produced by Georg Neumann GmbH in West Berlin. It was designed around a World War II military radio tube with a capsule design from 1929. There were approximately 8,000 U 47s made. It became a bench mark mic in the early fifties, but was expensive at around $400. Engineers found out quickly that the sensitivity of the U 47 greatly enhanced the detail of their recordings.

The U 47 is a popular vocal mic. There were many U 47s and U 48s used for the Beatles recordings. George Martin wrote that it is his favorite microphone. U 47s are pictured in abundance in the Beatles recording studio photos. Their aggressive sound makes them an excellent choice for many rock applications. Drums, guitar amps, and brass instruments shine when sitting behind a U 47.