SENSOR+TEST 2026 is regarded as the leading international forum for sensor, measurement, and testing technology. The trade fair brings together manufacturers, developers, users, and scientists and covers a broad spectrum of technologies—from Industry 4.0 and IoT sensor technology to highly specialized measurement systems.

New in 2026 – The MV 240 USB – Digital Precision for Modern Measurement Solutions

 A highlight of the trade show presentation is the new MV 240 USB, a high-precision measurement microphone system with integrated 32-bit A/D conversion and direct USB connectivity. The system delivers a calibrated, digital output signal, enabling a complete, hardware-reduced measurement chain—ideal for mobile applications, laboratory environments, and automated test benches.

Advantages of the MV 240 USB:

• Integrated 32-bit A/D converter
• Calibrated USB signal without additional hardware
• Plug-and-play integration into PC-based measurement systems
• High long-term stability and traceability

Solutions for airborne, structure-borne, and machine acoustics

In addition to the MV 240 USB, Microtech Gefell will showcase other systems for demanding acoustic measurement tasks, including:

• Measurement microphones and preamplifiers for laboratory and industrial use
• Weatherproof microphones for environmental and traffic noise measurements
• Sensors and microphone arrays for machinery and structural acoustics
• Components for ISO-compliant sound power measurements

Practical demonstrations and application examples

At the booth, visitors will experience practical setups from fields such as:

• Automotive acoustics
• Environmental and traffic noise monitoring
• Quality assurance in production processes
• Research and education

Focus on Digital Measurement Technology

With the introduction of new USB-based measurement microphones and modular measurement systems, Microtech Gefell underscores its strategic focus on digital, robust, and high-precision solutions. The combination of decades of expertise in microphone design and modern digital technology enables flexible, future-proof measurement solutions for a wide range of applications.

Digital measurement chains, USB direct connectivity, and modular microphone arrays are key trends in acoustic

measurement technology. MTG thus clearly positions itself as a provider that:

• combines high-precision analog microphone technology with modern digital technology,
• enables mobile and flexible measurement solutions,
• provides ISO-compliant measurement systems for industry and research.

Additional MTG Highlights for 2026

WME 980 USB – weatherproof digital microphones for outdoor noise monitoring.

• New sound power hemispheres (SLH 212/112) – flexible “one-size-fits-all” solution for ISO-compliant sound power measurements.

About Microtech Gefell

• Microtech Gefell has been developing and manufacturing professional microphones and acoustic measurement systems for industry, research, broadcasting, and environmental technology since 1928. The company combines traditional precision manufacturing with modern sensor technology and digital measurement technology. All products are developed, manufactured, and calibrated at the Gefell site.

It is one of the most important German-language conferences on the subject of acoustics.

As a manufacturer of professional measurement and studio microphones, Microtech Gefell / MTG presented the latest developments in the fields of acoustic measurement technology, studio technology, and sound recording, as well as industrial and scientific applications.

DAGA 2026 brought together scientists, industry representatives, and users from fields such as automotive and building acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound design, and acoustic measurement methods.

The program included company presentations, lectures, posters, workshops, and networking

Technical Highlights 2026 (Selection)

• Presentations on new measurement methods, e.g., rolling noise measurement according to DIN EN ISO 11819-2 and developments related to CPX measurements
• Contributions from research and industry, including:

o Noise reduction and sound insulation

o Acoustics in mobility and architecture

o Psychoacoustics and perception research

o Audio technologies, signal processing, AI-based acoustics

This year’s NAMM SHOW was a successful start to the MTG trade fair season 2026.

One highlight was the successful presentation of the reissue of the vintage UM 57 studio microphone.

The unique sound of this tube microphone shaped the sound of its era.

With its market launch in 1957, the UM 57 became an export hit in Eastern European countries.

However, exports to the West proved difficult due to the Cold War at the time.

Nevertheless, there were already interested parties in the Western Hemisphere in the 1960s, e.g. in the United States.

In 1965, for example, a film was shown in the US about a concert with Louis Armstrong, who performed at Prague’s Lucerna Hall with a UM57. The film sparked interest in this microphone among American audiences as well.

However, the Iron Curtain made it almost impossible to purchase a UM57 at that time. There are stories of enthusiasts who smuggled a UM57 in via Cuba for this reason.

Even today, the UM 57 is still valued by numerous artists and producers worldwide and is used in many studios, especially for female voices and acoustic instruments, which it makes sound rich and full.

The UM 57 presented at the NAMM SHOW is the original reissue of the legendary Gefell UM 57 tube microphone from 1957, featuring the original M7 capsule manufactured exclusively by Gefell with self-produced, gold-coated PVC diaphragms.

The M7 has two diaphragms mounted one behind the other. Electronic switching allows for three different recording patterns: directional when only the front diaphragm is used, omnidirectional when both diaphragms are used, and figure-8 when the diaphragms are used in phase reversal.

The tube preamplifier is built with the EF 86 pentode, which is operated as a triode and specially selected for its noise characteristics.

The UN 57 power supply generates the supply voltages for the microphone and enables remote switching between omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-8 pickup patterns. It can be operated at mains voltages of 115 V or 230 V with 50 Hz or 60 Hz. The UN 57 has a power switch, a selector switch for the directional characteristic, a 7-pin connector for connecting the UM 57 microphone, and a 3-pin XLR connector for the microphone output signal.

The Vintage Studio Microphone UM 57 and the power supply UN 57 have a hammered patina finish and comes in a suitcase with connection cable C tube and elastic suspension EA 92.

HAMBURG OPEN 2026, which will take place from January 14 to 15, 2026, brings everyone together at the beginning of the year – with practical technology, fresh ideas, and numerous opportunities for exchange.

Around 200 exhibitors will present a wide range of innovations.

HAMBURG OPEN is therefore an important meeting place for users and partners from the industry.

At booth 401 in hall B6, Microtech Gefell will present innovative microphone solutions from the fields of microphone technology and studio technology that combine precision, craftsmanship, and modern manufacturing.

The latest developments will be presented, such as a new condenser microphone.

Visitors can also look forward to microphone models from the fields of broadcast & recording, live sound & installation, and the Generation 4 modular system.

At the MTG booth, interested parties will gain exclusive insights into new capsule technologies, redesigned classics, and tailor-made solutions for studio and live applications, as well as expert advice on microphone selection for sound engineers, producers, and broadcast professionals.

This year’s highlights include expanded exhibitions, concerts, and more than 200 educational seminars on topics such as pro audio, AI, marketing, and more.

The event is a trade show primarily aimed at industry professionals and includes exhibitions, training sessions, live performances, and networking events.

This year, NAMM celebrates its 125th anniversary and 50 years of trade shows in Anaheim.

Microtech Gefell will once again be represented at the NAMM Show 2026 with a wide range of proven and completely new high-end microphones and acoustic systems.

The music industry trade fair is therefore an excellent opportunity to present proven and new microphone solutions.

These include, for example, the proven M 300 and M 930 series, the unique M 221 with certified measuring capsule, the vintage CMV 563 M7 S microphone, the KEM 975 line array microphone system and, last but not least, the latest highlights, such as the advanced Generation 4 modular microphone system and the new MKM 403.

The MKM 403 is the latest development from Microtech Gefell and consists of three Generation 4 modular microphones in one large microphone housing, allowing three capsules to be combined as needed before recording.

Combinations that allow you to move gradually from a directional microphone toward more ambient sound or back again are particularly practical.

 This gives the sound engineer at the mixing console the option of recording different signals on three tracks. During post-production, they can now use and mix the three channels as desired.

In 2026, we want to continue working with our customers , partners and friends to achieve the highest levels of precision and technical excellence.

We are grateful for the trust placed in us and look forward with optimism to a year full of innovation, new ideas, and successful collaboration.

Microtech Gefell wishes all its customers and partners health, confidence, and success in the new year.

Frequent tool changes due to wear and tear and the associated downtime not only lead to quality losses in parts manufacturing, but also increase production time and costs. This affects the entire spectrum of mechanical processing on the market, from large-scale industry, such as the automotive industry, to small contract manufacturing companies.

The use of innovative process and condition monitoring systems is intended to prevent such failures in the future and optimise tool life.

The aim is to analyse existing sources of error in the ongoing process in order to precisely determine the condition of the tool, e.g. when turning or milling metal, to control machines in a resource-efficient manner and to ensure a high level of machining quality for components.

Based on the experience that specialists in the field of machining often use acoustic signals or subjectively perceived acoustic stimuli to detect possible process changes and disturbances, AI-based acoustic monitoring is to enable reliable detection of wear conditions in milling tools in real time, directly on the tool and during the ongoing process, without the need for additional sensors.

The aim of the Fräsamo research project is therefore to develop a new generation of intelligent real-time monitoring systems for machining technology by combining acoustic signal processing and artificial intelligence to reliably detect wear conditions of milling tools without additional sensor technology directly on the tool and during the running process.

The involvement of EU funding underlines the relevance of the project for European industry and the strategic importance of the further development of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Key details:

 Technology: The acoustic signals generated during the milling process are analysed.

• Project partners: Among others, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT and the Technical University of Ilmenau.
• Objectives: Acoustic monitoring is intended to achieve the following benefits:

o    Fewer production downtimes.

o    Optimised maintenance intervals.

o    Longer tool life.

o    Higher efficiency in production.

• Contribution to industry: The project contributes to Industry 4.0 and creates new opportunities for predictive maintenance.

Responsibilities of Microtech Gefell GmbH

Development of protective caps for measuring microphones for difficult inline production conditions.

Project duration:  January 2025 – December 2027

Joint theme: Timely wear detection to optimise the tool life

Funding institutions:

The project, funded by the Free State of Thuringia was supported by funds from the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

In 2025, it is expanding with more than 400 brands presenting state-of-the-art technology and special areas such as

Studio Scene for sound engineers and producers or AVcon for AV installations and workspace technology.

Following the long tradition of microphone development in Gefell MTG presents the new compact MKM 403 multi-channel condenser microphone with Generation 4 capsules.

Throughout MTG’s history, there have been numerous modular microphone solutions, starting with the Neumann M 7 capsule in 1932 on a tube amplifier, followed in the early 1960s by the SMS 70 series with tube and later transistor amplifiers.

Generation 4 is based on the predecessor SMS 2000 series and continues the tradition of modular microphone systems in a new, ultra-compact dimension.

The amplifier is a further development in ultra-compact design with a length of only 80 mm based on existing Gefell capsules. This also ensures continuity in microphone sound.

The Generation 4, which has been continuously developed since its market launch, includes the ultra-compact MV 400 microphone preamplifier with two alternative connections, the M 40 (cardioid), M 41 (supercardioid), M 42 (omnidirectional), and M 43 (wide cardioid) microphone capsules, as well as options and accessories for professional use.

The advantage of the modular concept is a more productive workflow and a quick response to a wide variety of customer-specific requirements.

A current example of this is the new compact multi-channel condenser microphone MKM 403 with Generation 4 capsules.

The MKM 403 as a gold-look special edition as part of a large order with 3 separate channels based on three independent Generation 4 M 40 capsules, each with an MV 400 X microphone preamplifier, is optimized for both front and side addressing. Only one of the 3 microphones is in operation at any given time, with the other two serving as backups.

In addition, a miniature loudspeaker is integrated, which plays a test tone that is inaudible to the human ear, which the three microphones pick up and transmit to the audio system. In the event of a microphone channel malfunction, the system switches to the next one.

In addition to customer-specific design, the construction also takes into account the customer’s special climate and temperature requirements. This ensures smooth operation in direct sunlight and at temperatures above 50°C.

It honours what makes radio so firmly anchored in the everyday lives of millions of people: the fast and reliable information, the closeness and familiarity that presenters radiate, the surprising, spontaneous and emotional. And last but not least: the growing journalistic power of radio. The Radio Prize thus sets standards for quality in radio broadcasting.

The German Radio Award is intended to recognise and encourage exceptional radio achievements – from impressive reports to particularly successful comedy.

The sponsors of the German Radio Award are the radio programmes of ARD, Deutschlandradio and the private radio stations in Germany.

Microtech Gefell is delighted that the legendary UM 900 microphone was used at the award ceremony.

The meanwhile historic UM 900, which was awarded the Thuringia Prize for Product Design in 1998, was the first switchable tube condenser microphone that could be connected to industry standard 48 Volt phantom powering using a regular 3-pin XLR-microphone cable. This was made possible by an advanced circuit design for the amplifier and internal power supply.

The pickup capsule used a traditional, proven design with two large, gold plated plastic diaphragms.

Three switches were located around the body of the UM 900. The switch in the front selected the polar pattern: omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hyper cardioid and figure 8. Located 120 degrees to each side were switches for gain adjust and low frequency roll-off.

Acoustic influences that could result from the housing resonance and/or mechanical vibration were reduced by the robust construction and by a special fixture within the microphone’s housing that dampens vibration.