Neumann U67 - Tube test – check it out!

Crazy how different they sound! I mean it makes it sound like a different mic. I wasn't expecting such a DRASTIC difference.

My overall favorite is the Mullard, and it's not even close. It completely opens up the mic, especially on vocals, all the other sound choked, the Valvo a little less so. I really didn't like the RFT at all.
Though to be honest, I would not pick this mic for your vocals.

I like the Tele on acoustic for a laid back acoustic sound that can sit back in a mix. Didn't think it sounded very good on the vocal. I would imagine drums would sound pretty cool with this one!


For this mic, I would want the Mullard and the Tele, the Mullard for most stuff, as it gives a nice hifi quality to the mic, that is often lacking in some old 67s and the Tele for some smooth, darker more compressed acoustics.

Great work Christian! Although different brands have their own idiosyncrasies the next video should be four of the same brand just for a little extra enlightenment. Great work!
I'll get one of my 251 to you in the next batch as this first lot are sold out.

Yes quite drastic right!? After listening some more I really like the Philips/Valvo. Made the guitar sound great! I'm just glad I personally didn't like the Telef. Because it's the most expensive by far.

Yeah, I can't really stand the U67 on my voice. I got the feel that it would work great on drums, electric guitar etc. Just not on vocals.

Interestingly I downloaded the files this morning and listened on my monitors and I came out favoring the Valvo too, as I found the Mullard maybe too agressive on the transients, definitely flattering on first listen but maybe a bit fatiguing?
I still really like the Tele for acoustics haha

If I absolutely had to use a 67 on your voice, I wouldn't be using a Neve as it's just low mid buildup galore. I think I'd probably use something like a Forssell, something with the least amount of color but yeah, I would choose another mic.

I went back and listened to your 87 and it definitely sounds quite a bit better on your voice, it has a classic 70s sound out of the box on your vocals.
And all the super clean modern mics, like the Redd, C800 also sounded good on your vocals but just a completely different vibe, and they'd need some work with deessing and a little smoothing but they would totally work for a more modern production.

I'll check all this out tonight Christian.
But...

IMHO the 67/vocals assessment is "personal taste".
Not a doubt in my mind you could be recorded with a OG 67, or one of the fine alternatives today...

And still sound great!
(Hey it worked "OK" at Motown on a "few" singers LOL!)

Thanks again for all your videos.
Chris

Well done Christian, thanks. I went back and forth between the Tele and the Mullard. It was kind of a tossup. I think I'd take the Mullard because I liked it on vocals.

After several listens . . .

Tele 806S Balanced. Not quite as nice as an 806s but handy to it.
Millard Balanced but rounder than the Tele. Favorite for guitar
RFT Brash. Hurts my ears a bit. But only in an icepick through my eardrums kind of way.
Valco Dull. Nice for an intimate soft performance.

That other long thread about this has some other comparisons, if they're still up. I recall I tried 5-6 different tubes, all very different, far more different than any other tube swap I've ever done. Many many swaps are almost no difference at all, or if any perceived it's just as easily the slight gain difference suggesting more than is actually there.

Digging the Brimar in my BU67.
Chris

Ben mics is one of those mic gurus in a class above all others. like wave, @klausheine, tskguy, Dallas Upton, David Bock, Dany Bouchard timcampbell, cserrano and a select few others!

Stranger Danger?

My fav was Tele with the Valvo 2nd. Then the Mullard and RFT last (I did not like it). I have an Amperex coming in the mail for my 67 hoping its a good one! Thanks for the video.