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Post by skav on Apr 23, 2023 7:35:09 GMT -6
Say, for your small personal studio, your dynamic mic needs are met, but you don't have a condenser yet. In other words, you need a single quality condenser workhorse, one that sounds great, brings good quick results off the bat, sounds true and works on just about everything(every voice and every instrument).
Price ceiling is U 87 AI. You can't go above.
Which microphone do you choose and why?
Do you buy new or used? Why? Price and economical investment is irrelevant, only musical-and-sound production value.
If you think another brand is superior for this task, you're ofcourse welcome to make your case.
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Post by sean on Apr 23, 2023 7:49:48 GMT -6
I'm sure some will disagree, but for around $2000 used a U87 is pretty hard to beat. I also use my AKG 414-ULS all the time (I have four) and I also think the Blue Kiwi is a great value second hand. Other Neumann options are U89's and TLM170's when I think of workhorse, but I'd probably take a pair of 414's over those if you don't have a huge mic closet.
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 23, 2023 8:09:47 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out.
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Post by sean on Apr 23, 2023 8:27:30 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. UM70 / UMT70 are also excellent options. When I think workhorse, I think multi-pattern, and those work on pretty much everything |
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Post by srb on Apr 23, 2023 9:15:49 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. I know we've been over this before on other threads, (sorry to derail here!), but every time I see a mention of the UM70, I think, "Man, I need one of those." Wondering if the differences in configuration over the years are worth turning around for and if the latest offering cuts the gig in comparison. Another vote for the AKG 414 BULS. Versatile mics. Not in the OP's budget but I'm very fond of the M149. |
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Post by aremos on Apr 23, 2023 9:53:46 GMT -6
Already mentioned: AKG C 414 B-ULS, Neumann U89/TLM 170.
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Post by drbill on Apr 23, 2023 9:58:30 GMT -6
If this studio is for outside clients - the U87 all the way. The visuals will work for you. If it's for your own productions - the MG UM70's will be a better long term call. But they look goofy, and clients who don't know them will balk until won over.
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Post by ab101 on Apr 23, 2023 9:59:47 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. UM70 / UMT70 are also excellent options. When I think workhorse, I think multi-pattern, and those work on pretty much everything The UMT 70s is multipattern. I have not tried one though, only the former models with transformers. |
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Post by skav on Apr 23, 2023 10:20:06 GMT -6
If this studio is for outside clients - the U87 all the way. The visuals will work for you. If it's for your own productions - the MG UM70's will be a better long term call. But they look goofy, and clients who don't know them will balk until won over. M7 capsule, hmm... I have yet to really look into this mic, but I will now! The transformer version don't seem to be produced anymore tho. How come so many prefer Gefell over the brother? And why is kind of it 'under the radar'? |
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Post by skav on Apr 23, 2023 10:43:18 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. UM T 70 is the transformerless version, right ? Why that over the UM? I read that the TLM 102 and the M 930s are very similar. What do you think? |
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 23, 2023 11:05:20 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. UM T 70 is the transformerless version, right ? Why that over the UM? I read that the TLM 102 and the M 930s are very similar. What do you think? I have the UM myself. I said UM T bc i don’t think the UM is available any more. I could certainly be wrong as it’s next to impossible decipher Gefell product numbers  . |
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Post by Omicron9 on Apr 23, 2023 11:06:48 GMT -6
No experience with the TLM 102, but have had an M930 for 10+ years. It's a stunning mic, and way underrated. However, it's cardioid only, so not what I'd call a "workhorse" mic, as I'd aim for something multi-pattern for a workhorse/do-it-all mic.
-09
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Post by ml on Apr 23, 2023 12:26:46 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. How are these on vocals? |
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Post by svart on Apr 23, 2023 12:45:18 GMT -6
Had a umt70. Sounded interesting. Would overload slightly on very loud sources. A bit more mid centric than an 87 and definitely not an any-source type of mic. Worked great on anything needing mid focus.
Also have a pair of m930s. Very versatile mics. Can be used on anything because they have very little coloration.
Used 414s before. A bit like the m930s but not as much detail. Would use them on anything.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
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Post by ericn on Apr 23, 2023 12:48:11 GMT -6
If this studio is for outside clients - the U87 all the way. The visuals will work for you. If it's for your own productions - the MG UM70's will be a better long term call. But they look goofy, and clients who don't know them will balk until won over. Bill and I are in complete agreement, personally I prefer the Gefell ‘s with the M7 over a U87 9 times out of 10, but if I’m booking a room if you don’t have a U87 it’s really hard to take you seriously. As for new / used / vintage? It’s all about condition vs price at the exact time of purchase. |
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Post by chessparov on Apr 23, 2023 12:53:53 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. How are these on vocals? Hardly any UM T 70 testing experience. But... Back around 4 years ago, it was between saving up for either... M930 or Soundelux U195. Until I won the U195 at NAMM! I actually like how understated MG's "marketing" is (unlike ala Warm/et al) M930 is one cool vocal mic. In the meantime other notable mics have entered the fray though. Chris P.S. Recently got (rightfully) busted over the years of wining-ahem-whining about my "sibilance". It's lack of proper mic technique! Had to re-review some past good intended "evaluations" as a result.  |
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 23, 2023 12:56:18 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. How are these on vocals? I use My UM 70 on vocals all the time. It’s fine. It’s the mic I leave set up on a swing arm for doing all my composing. Need to play some acoustics, swing into a spot a couple of inches from the 12th fret and play away. Need to sing some vocals or try out some harmonies? Swing it into position and sing away. I have kept many of these “scratch” tracks as the the keepers. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Apr 23, 2023 13:42:33 GMT -6
I use My UM 70 on vocals all the time. It’s fine. It’s the mic I leave set up on a swing arm for doing all my composing. Need to play some acoustics, swing into a spot a couple of inches from the 12th fret and play away. Need to sing some vocals or try out some harmonies? Swing it into position and sing away. I have kept many of these “scratch” tracks as the the keepers. The fact that I have always been able to buy at least 2 Gefells for the price of 47fet has always kept me from owning a FET! |
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Post by keymod on Apr 23, 2023 14:09:18 GMT -6
What about anything by Brauner?
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Post by skav on Apr 23, 2023 14:31:21 GMT -6
No mention of TLM yet
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Post by christopher on Apr 23, 2023 15:06:48 GMT -6
Limited to Neumann current production? The TLM 67 should be on the list. Zen pro says they offer a silver body swivel mount version for less than a u87. Looks so cool. Then you could possibly track down a tube mod and have a killer mic for around u87ai price
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Post by drbill on Apr 23, 2023 15:52:27 GMT -6
Microtec-Gefell UM T 70 and M 930 say hello and please check us out. UM T 70 is the transformerless version, right ? Why that over the UM? Yes. The "T" stands for transformerLESS. |
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Post by drbill on Apr 23, 2023 15:53:47 GMT -6
I have the UM myself. I said UM T bc i don’t think the UM is available any more. I could certainly be wrong as it’s next to impossible decipher Gefell product numbers . That is correct. They only make the transformerLESS version currently. Don't know why. The transformer version sounds better IMO. |
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Post by reddirt on Apr 23, 2023 16:25:47 GMT -6
The TLM 170 is (or was when i used it in the 90s) a great universal mic. If u87 clones are allowed in the discussion then the Serrano might be a great option.
Cheers, Ross
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Post by gouge on Apr 23, 2023 18:22:09 GMT -6
+1 for the Serrano for me too. My Serrano just work in any position. I kinda stopped thinking about if they are the right choice and just place them and move on. All of my good mics are like that. I don't need to fuss with placement.
If this is personal use I don’t think you need a big name on the badge. Fair enough if you are talking 1970’s u87 but I can’t help but think that the big brands are running on name alone these days and pumping the price to protect resale value as that’s the last thing they have going for them. The mid to upper level clones are better than modern equivalents for a lot less money. Buy 2 for stereo micing.
p.s a lot of great ears talking up the gefell. Pretty hard to ignore that
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