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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 22, 2016 11:01:59 GMT -6
I agree the 67 has more proximity, that's why I didn't include them earlier. It's clear I was further back on the 49, even though I tried to remain in the same relative positions. Still, I really wasn't that much further back, as they were right next to each other and I tried to stay about the same distance. I thought everyone would enjoy hearing them anyway.
If you can, search and listen to Lyle Lovette's "Road to Ensenada", THAT'S the U67 I like, and it's quite similar sounding to this one, except he has better control over his vocals than I do.
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Post by jeremygillespie on Jul 22, 2016 17:47:08 GMT -6
We have 3 u67's. The one you're hearing here is the only one I set up, and it's the 2nd best of the three. My favorite one has been giving some crackling noise issues, and we haven't had a chance to send it out. They are all original non modded mics.
Also, I don't want anybody to have the impression that these are my mics or studio. It's a studio that I started out as an intern 12 years ago and have worked out of ever since. I do however treat the mics as they are my own, I love them and have a great deal of respect For them, and realize how extremely lucky I am to have the opportunity to use them on a daily basis.
As for the power supply thing... I had a friend who basically lost everything in his studio to hurricane sandy. I helped him rehab a bunch of gtrs and other gear. One piece of gear that was ruined was the power supply unit for a TLM147. I opened it up to see if it was repairable. Inside was a cheap Chinese power supply.... Shocking to me at the time.
I do think that those are pretty good sounding mics though.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 22, 2016 19:43:15 GMT -6
Pretty good, dang, I think they were fantastic!
Hearing flat bounces that get sent through Soundcloud processing isn't quite the same as hearing them live or when used on a record with some compressors and that's been mastered.
I thought the 47 was the first completely flawless mic I've ever heard, with the exception of a vintage C12 I did a session with in the 90's. Even that C12 could not be to someone's taste. I feel the 47 we used here is undeniable. The 67 sounds just like my benchmark recordings, so I think it was a great example too. The little bit of sibilance is the price you pay for all that power and size. I thought it was magnificent. The Soyuz was definitely a big surprise and couldn't be faulted, it just needs a little compression to help when it gets hit real hard.
It's sad that a company as respected and revered as Neumann would cheapen their brand in such a way. At $2,900 for the TLM47, Neumann should be able to do much better than that.
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Post by sopwith on Jul 22, 2016 22:14:50 GMT -6
They're all very nice (pleasantly surprised by the Soyuz to say the least!), but man that 67 just fits your voice and the song like a glove.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 23, 2016 7:57:47 GMT -6
Now I'm screwed, I'll be wishing I had a U67 every time I do a vocal now. Well, at least it's clear what my benchmark is for my voice and tastes.
If I ever get to where I can afford it again, I'd do my vocals in a studio like the The Barbershop Studios where Jeremy engineers at, and use a 67.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jul 23, 2016 8:09:41 GMT -6
Now I'm screwed, I'll be wishing I had a U67 every time I do a vocal now. Well, at least it's clear what my benchmark is for my voice and tastes. If I ever get to where I can afford it again, I'd do my vocals in a studio like the The Barbershop Studios where Jeremy engineers at, and use a 67. Just spend the $8k and buy one. Haha
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 23, 2016 8:21:59 GMT -6
I still wouldn't have the SSL, vintage outboard, and those beautiful sounding rooms, but I'd make do ;-)
We didn't spend that much time with t, but we also tested the mics with the Neve preamps. Much as I'm longing for a Neve style preamp at home, (RTZ?) I gotta say, I preferred the SSL preamps to the Neves.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 23, 2016 9:47:15 GMT -6
One option is the iO audio U67 conversion kit for the TLM67/U87Ai.
I think that would get you in the ballpark for possibly under $3,000
You would end up with a real Neumann K67 capsule and Neumann body/headbasket, and vintage replica U67 guts from iO Audio.
An even cheaper option would be to build the vintagemicrophonepcbkit.com and Studio 939 Store DIY U67, and find a Neumann K67 capsule for around $800. I think that project would be well under $2,000, and theoretically sound the same as the first option. You would have to get your tip wet though, the soldering iron I mean.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 23, 2016 11:27:59 GMT -6
Thanks Monkeyxx. At that price range, I'd just buy the Soyuz 0-17, the one with the tube. It's in the general U67 style family, a little smother maybe, and there's no potential disappointments after modding. With a mod like the iO Audio, I'd want to hear it and compare it to the real thing before actually going for it. It would have to be better than the Soyuz, or I wouldn't bother.
I'll admit it's still enticing to think you might get a U67 for a lot less with the iO kit. Those newer Neumann's can be had for $1,700 or a little more if you keep your eyes out for one second hand.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 23, 2016 13:50:55 GMT -6
I agree I would love to hear the DIY stuff against the fully real deal in a blind shootout, that could be educational.
Component differences can amount to significant differences in sound even with the same schematic. Just look at the API 2520 op amps from different eras for an example.
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Post by jeremygillespie on Jul 24, 2016 12:57:52 GMT -6
A few weeks ago somebody had the AMI 47 kit clone at the studio to try out. It had all the good options etc.
Threw it up on the piano next to one of our 47's (not the one I used on Martin). Listened to it first, and was like - okay that sounds pretty good!
Then listened to the real deal. Absolutely not even in the same ballpark.
I keep waiting and wanting for one of these kit clones to be totally badass and something that i could justify spending money on - just hasn't happened as of yet.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 24, 2016 15:26:15 GMT -6
No need for a kit, just get the Soyuz -017.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 24, 2016 16:45:06 GMT -6
No need for a kit, just get the Soyuz -017. Martin, you're trying to get me to add "Soyuz Representative" under your name, right?
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Post by reddirt on Jul 24, 2016 17:25:51 GMT -6
Thank you for the shootout Martin, sadly i can't open the files - I guess my browser's too old but I wanted to add to the general discussion that IMHO don't expect a single test to reveal "the best" mic as they all react differently according to the talent. It's the ability to be graceful under pressure over time which sets the best apart from the rest; what John calls not having that pinched effect when pushed and a mic is not very useful to me no matter how good in other areas and how much value for money it is if it can't do that. Having said that I'm still trying to find a mic of that quality that i can afford; thinking of getting Shannon to mod my new model CMV but the 'stab in the dark' feels too scary right now. Cheers, Ross
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jul 24, 2016 20:24:44 GMT -6
No need for a kit, just get the Soyuz -017. Martin, you're trying to get me to add "Soyuz Representative" under your name, right? I'll move on to some new favorite soon, I promise. It's just that I've seen how hard the quest for a microphone without any of the issues we've been describing for quite some time now is. Guys have struggled with builds and parts and capsules and ordering different tubes and I don't think there have been many posts where the results were all they'd hoped for. I just happened to have tried their mics, otherwise I'd have no idea, so I'm trying to pass it on to all the cats who've offered me so much great advice and given me the benefit of their lifetime's experience. Unfortunately, I'm seeing U67's in my dreams now..
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Post by Shannon on Jul 25, 2016 4:05:53 GMT -6
Now I'm screwed, I'll be wishing I had a U67 every time I do a vocal now. Well, at least it's clear what my benchmark is for my voice and tastes. If I ever get to where I can afford it again, I'd do my vocals in a studio like the The Barbershop Studios where Jeremy engineers at, and use a 67. Just spend the $8k and buy one. Haha MJB , hey we can get that sound that you want and even better (not being a ass just make it for you, and saying that because we can build it your voice. ) and don't have to be $$$$$$$$ you always have options the ones listed were good also. I love Mics in general , they all of sound great and all have a application. You need one that is going to be the most versatile and make you that rockstar bring out your strengths and make you smile when you sing. If I can at all be of any help let me know .
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Post by swurveman on Jul 25, 2016 7:07:42 GMT -6
Just spend the $8k and buy one. Haha MJB , hey we can get that sound that you want and even better (not being a ass just make it for you, and saying that because we can build it your voice. ) and don't have to be $$$$$$$$ you always have options the ones listed were good also. I love Mics in general , they all of sound great and all have a application. You need one that is going to be the most versatile and make you that rockstar bring out your strengths and make you smile when you sing. If I can at all be of any help let me know . Hey Shannon, Can you build the mic for the song below? And what mic do you think it is? I had a singer in the studio who used this song as a reference song that the person wanted me to match. My Peluso 2247 SE ->Vintech X73i combination could not come anywhere near the ballpark of creaminess of the mic between the singer's lower and higher notes. Listen from 13 seconds to 25 seconds on good speakers.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 28, 2016 6:53:04 GMT -6
Sounds like a c12...
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Post by Martin John Butler on Dec 31, 2016 9:42:35 GMT -6
This is very interesting. It has all the heavy hitters, except a U67. It’s a Soyuz mic test with female vocal. Listen to the difference between the 0-19 (FET) and their 0-17 (tube).
What’s really cool, is the mics are listed on the left side, but instead of going back and forth in the video to find the mic you want to hear, just click on the name of the mic on the left, and you’re there.
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