High End Mic Shootout (preview)

https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-1-u67

https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-1-m49

https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-2-mic-1
  
https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-2-mic-2

https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-2-mic-3

https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/mic-shootout-2-mic-4

OK gents, the first two mics on top were from the first shootout. They're the U67 and M49. We had the six mics lined up in a row, instead of in the same position like the other shootout. I didn't include these files earlier because they're different takes, and even with care, the position I sang from could have been slightly different enough to make the comparisons unfair. In fact, I think one of these files doesn't represent the mic as well as it could. That said, I thought you'd all enjoy hearing the U67 in action, as well as the M49, so here ya go.

I'm looking forward to the comments, especially regarding the U67 in relation to the U47 and Soyuz. In the studio, I thought the Blackspade was quite similar to the M49, but I don't think this file shows it properly. That's the way it goes I guess. At the time I did shootout #1, I just wanted to hear for myself, and wasn't thinking ahead about posting files. 

I included the original shootout, (#2) here, so you could easily compare the U67 and M49 to the other mics.

Remember, mic 1 = U47,  mic 2 = Blackspade UM-18R, mic 3 = Soyuz 0-19 FET,  mic 4 = Telefunken C12

U67 for your story telling vocal styling

They all sounded really good, but I think I liked the U67, C12, and Soyuz. The fascinating part to me is that the different mics give a different emotion, almost like a different performance was done. Just from subtle sonic cues, like the breath on the C12, and the chest on the U47, etc. You should buy all of those mics, haha.

What Monkeyxx speaks about it is interesting. I listened for the feelings I got with each mic.

U67 - The most energy transmitted. You kinetically feel time passing. A feeling of trepidation worry and wonder, and a sad resignation. The most emotive of them all I think.

M49 - a distant observer, who's a good commentator that draws people in.

U47- Immediacy, as if the singer is right there observing the events, narrating as it's happening. That gives it the intensity of a news bulletin.

Blackspade UM18R - Felt like the singer was keeping a stiff upper lip, trying to hold it together, on edge a little.

Soyuz 0-19 A different kind of immediacy, like I was right there, standing in front of the vocalist. Somehow more hopeful.

C12 -Introspective, lovely, and very personal, but not necessarily communicating outward to others. Still very interesting because the inside feeling is showing outside.

These are my impressions. Anyone else care to take a shot? Even just one impression of what one of the mics made you feel like would be cool.

When the mids aren't strident - whether that's the pinching cap or whatever - they all are just different flavors. I could settle on several of these and be happy. It's the distraction of strident -1-4khz in cheaper mics that distracts me. Drives me crazy.

I thought the Soyuz capsule was based on the K67?

U67, all the way. It fits your stylistic approach like an expensive set of driving gloves. Rich Corinthian Leather. Or is it lambskin? Whatever, it works! Add a STA or RS124, and call it done.

U67 runs away with it to me. U47 second.  The 67 clip is quite a bit louder, but even compensating for that, it's the best.  Sounds so damn good on your voice.  

The sun went up when I heard the 67, even on cheaper headphones. Awesome mic, beats them all, especially for Martin's voice. 47 comes second for me. For the rest, yeah they come somewhat close but they lose in direct comparison. Once I heard the 67, they all seemed more muffled and indirect to me. Proves once more, you get what you pay for and you can't beat Neumann's craftsmanship. You can argue about $XX,000 price differences all day long and how that only buys you the final 5%, but at the end of the day, those 5% are what counts.

A friend of mine recently played a bass track for me. He had a great sounding mid-price-range bass that we really liked. That is, until he got out the Sadowsky. Guess what we used.

Interesting point and, yes, you're right.

The 67 definitely rocked my boat. It does expose my voice in a way that's hard to listen to, but only in the sense of it being so effective and revealing. A pinch of compression, (don't forget, these files had no processing at all on the mics, just a little reverb added in my DAW), and I'd be done.

If I was a studio owner and had the cash, the U47 is a no brainer, it's just perfect. But the character of the 67 I think is the best fit for me, as Matt, Ragan, Levon, and Yotonic, mention. I think it'll be a while before I can get close to a U67, ;-), so it's back to the drawing board.

Don't forget, I didn't have the Soyuz 0-17 tube mic here, and with its capsule design being similar to a U67. I know from having it for a little while, it's every bit as good as the U67, though probably a little different as these all are. That would probably be the best choice for me considering my budget, but even that's too expensive for me.

I'm glad my Blackspade still sounded as good as it did, even though the 67 was obviously something special. You could pick some aspect of its sound apart technically I'm sure, but that mic just reaches into you guts and takes you for a ride.

No wonder it got so much use on so many Beatle's records.

Jeremy will have to answer that question indiehouse, they were mics from his studio's mic locker, ( The Barber Shop Studios), and I don't know every detail about them. I believe it's an all original vintage model.

www.thebarbershopstudios.com

It was great fun watching Jeremy open a door with his key, and low and behold, instead of a shelf in a closet or drawer in a cabinet, a real and true mic locker!