For decades, TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik has been a name synonymous with sonic excellence. Known for their faithful recreations of historic microphones as well as their own modern designs, the company has built a reputation for marrying vintage character with present-day reliability. As TELEFUNKEN notes, their focus is on “absolute perfection” and providing artists and engineers with tools that deliver both quality and consistency.
That commitment has earned the trust of GRAMMY Award-winning producer and mix engineer Rian Lewis, whose credits include work with Doja Cat, Post Malone, and Thundercat. Lewis has a long-standing relationship with TELEFUNKEN microphones and continues to rely on them across projects.
A statement from the company discloses that “Lewis has a long history of working with a variety of TELEFUNKEN microphones, from the flagship ELA M 251E to the newer Alchemy and small diaphragm ELA M 260 tube microphones.”
When Doja Cat began recording in her Los Angeles home studio, Lewis recommended the new TELEFUNKEN 251 for her vocal setup. “Oddly enough,” Lewis explains, “I would say that the new 251 suits her voice just an extra 10% better than the vintage ones. There’s this little bit of added presence somewhere in the top end that just fits her voice like a glove—the absolute best fit. She doesn’t need any EQ, just her voice on that mic and then into a Neve amplifier and any compressor.”
Lewis himself often turns to the Alchemy TF39 Copperhead Deluxe, which he keeps as a go-to in his studio. A statement from the company highlights that the TF39 “features 3-pattern selections of Cardioid, Omnidirectional, and Figure-8, giving the mic much flexibility and options in the studio.”
Lewis describes it as ideal for modern production: “I’m loving this TF39. There’s a cool combination of factors going on, a magic in the detail that’s like I’m adding top EQ. But it’s not spiky, obtrusive or sibilant in any way, just a beautiful presence that is perfect and exactly what I’m looking for in a modern Pop, R&B, or Rap vocal.”
That versatility has already found its way into new projects. Doja Cat’s global hit “Paint The Town Red” was cut with her TELEFUNKEN 251E, engineered by Lewis. He’s also using the TF39 for Ryan Woods’ upcoming album, describing Woods’ voice as “like a '70s rock star, but with a Gen Z touch that’s bold and catchy.” Another rising artist, Ava LaRae of South Texas, is also benefiting from the TF39 as she develops her unique blend of R&B, Pop, and Tex-Mex influences.
Beyond vocals, Lewis has put TELEFUNKEN’s ELA M 260 small diaphragm tube microphones to the test at Portland’s Jackpot Studios. Designed for acoustic instruments, the 260 impressed him immediately. “Those 260s are insane in front of a piano or on drum overheads—an absolute game changer, a jaw-dropping microphone,” he says.
From chart-topping singles to emerging voices, Rian Lewis’ work underscores TELEFUNKEN’s role in shaping the sound of today’s music. With a balance of heritage and innovation, the partnership between engineer and microphone brand continues to set the stage for future successes.
Learn more about Rian Lewis here.
