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Post by Ward on Apr 21, 2023 12:47:46 GMT -6
I prefer the openness of the 87Ai also, and the extra low-mid of the SM7b doesn't flatter here. But I can see how it would work better for some sources.
The big difference is in the high mids up to the high end. That's where the U87ai shines.
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Post by skav on Apr 21, 2023 14:07:10 GMT -6
Thanks for everyones input! I just locked the poll. For the results.. If you don't want to know what mic is which, read no further  A = SM7B B = U 87 AI To me, the difference I can tell the most is in the lower mids. The SM7B has plenty of it, but in comparison to the U 87 AI, it sounds artificial and muddy on my voice. The U87 has a controlled mids that sound natural. I also notice that the Shure loses it's power in the lower mids whenever I do a typical hi-shelf boost. The Neumann does not. To me the U 87 wins and I think the differences might be more apparent with a more fine singer and in a better room. Then again, I believe a great singer will sound great on just about anything. |
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Post by bossanova on Apr 21, 2023 14:59:31 GMT -6
Well, I got fooled. I was second-guessing myself after a few days based on a past comparison that I heard between an AKG dynamic and a U89, where the dynamic being more mid-forward gave it the illusion of being more extended and detailed compared to the LDC. Two different mics here, but I’m seeing how my expectation of what my SM7B sounds like (dark top, full low mids) compared to my Serrano 87 influenced my guess as to what I was hearing. The latter is noticeably more open in a head to head comparison.
That said, I’ve known 87ai’s to sound more neutral than one would expect depending on the source, so I’m not surprised. Great shootout!
Edit: Hearing the results, I'm more surprised that the SM7B was in flat mode, as mine is extremely dark with the bass cut and mid boost off.
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Post by plinker on Apr 21, 2023 19:14:24 GMT -6
Oh wait -- did I say "A", because I meant "B".
<kidding, of course>
This has been really revealing: both of my tastes and my biases.
Thanks!
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Post by skav on Apr 21, 2023 21:54:59 GMT -6
Well, I got fooled. I was second-guessing myself after a few days based on a past comparison that I heard between an AKG dynamic and a U89, where the dynamic being more mid-forward gave it the illusion of being more extended and detailed compared to the LDC. Two different mics here, but I’m seeing how my expectation of what my SM7B sounds like (dark top, full low mids) compared to my Serrano 87 influenced my guess as to what I was hearing. The latter is noticeably more open in a head to head comparison. That said, I’ve known 87ai’s to sound more neutral than one would expect depending on the source, so I’m not surprised. Great shootout! Edit: Hearing the results, I'm more surprised that the SM7B was in flat mode, as mine is extremely dark with the bass cut and mid boost off. The windscreen was off in the first test. This makes the SM7B a bit brighter. The U 87 AI does not hit me as a bright mic at all, but is easily manipulated with EQ, not losing its solid mids. |
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Post by bossanova on Apr 21, 2023 22:46:40 GMT -6
Well, I got fooled. I was second-guessing myself after a few days based on a past comparison that I heard between an AKG dynamic and a U89, where the dynamic being more mid-forward gave it the illusion of being more extended and detailed compared to the LDC. Two different mics here, but I’m seeing how my expectation of what my SM7B sounds like (dark top, full low mids) compared to my Serrano 87 influenced my guess as to what I was hearing. The latter is noticeably more open in a head to head comparison. That said, I’ve known 87ai’s to sound more neutral than one would expect depending on the source, so I’m not surprised. Great shootout! Edit: Hearing the results, I'm more surprised that the SM7B was in flat mode, as mine is extremely dark with the bass cut and mid boost off. The windscreen was off in the first test. This makes the SM7B a bit brighter. The U 87 AI does not hit me as a bright mic at all, but is easily manipulated with EQ, not losing its solid mids. Ahhh….forgot about the windscreen. That does make a difference. |
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Post by wiz on Apr 21, 2023 23:36:52 GMT -6
Well I just listened and was wrong.. I thought that A was the 87 because of the air..
cheers
Wiz
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Post by skav on Apr 22, 2023 0:01:58 GMT -6
The image in the video is with windscreen, although the text states that it is off. I apologize for any confusion.
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Post by christopher on Apr 22, 2023 9:33:56 GMT -6
The Seranno is a great mic, it benefits with some Neve style EQ and pushing various parts of the chain to get some grit. The kind where if I were to lean hard into it, it might get a little too fuzzy, but if I’m gentle it’s clean. This allows me to work a mic, back up if I get louder, lean in if I’m quiet. And when it’s dialed in this way, it feels exactly like a dynamic. I’ve told my friend a few times I’m using a $4000 chain to sound like a SM58 hahaha. Really though, an LDC that behaves like a SM58 but has the LDC clarity, what more could we want?
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Post by chessparov on Apr 22, 2023 12:09:01 GMT -6
World Peace.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 22, 2023 20:29:28 GMT -6
That's the thing about a U87, it sounds good on more people than any other mic I've tried. I used a 1980 U87 every day for 11 years before selling all my gear. It never failed to sound good on anything. In fact, referring to Eric's post I was doing a lot of radio and TV voice over recording then with many of the most recognizable voice over artists, and it was never a dissapointment, and never bettered.
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