Manley Gold, U47, M149, or Outboard….Next Studio Purchase

  
   I'm similar to most of your background description in the original post and also have a 67 RI. I quoted smashlord here because I agree with the mic over outboard POV.

While you clearly have enough great gear to more than get the job done, I would strongly recommend you follow your instincts that you mentioned and try and demo a Flea or Wunder 47 if possible to see how a quality 47 type fits your voice. There are allot of great mic's but when a source/voice finds the best mic fit, it can take it up another level. Based on the type of material you mentioned I'd suggest you try and demo a Flea 47 with their F47 capsule, and not the F7 cap.

While I have a 67RI and it's a great mic, I also have a Flea 47 with F47 capsule that sounds great on male vocals IME and many would prefer it. Hopefully you can demo either to see.

A Trakker would be great as well.  I think the other unit you're referring to is the Titan Compressor.  It looks like those are being made to order on Sweetwater, but there are very long delays with Cranesong and Dave Hill products.  On that note, I heard that there are people waiting for Avocets since 2019. 

Thanks for sharing, Mike.  This is tremendously good advice.  I may be able to demo a Wunder CM7 or even a Gefell CMV 563, but the Flea 47 could be more difficult as they have no dealer or distributor in Canada.  I think my fellow Canadians must be buying their Flea microphones from Vintage King.  

Looks like Economik has the Trakker and Titan in stock. Just fyi.

Cheers,
Geoff

No, I haven’t used a real Sony. I didn’t find the Stam bright, more polished and natural, but not like a 47: try to demo one: then you’ll know!

Go oilers !

 Thanks for the suggestion Geoff.  I'll consider contacting them to see if it might be possible to try a demo out. 

   Maybe some of your Canadian friends will let you demo their 47's or you can visit them with some of your gear to make it worth both your while if there's anyone near enough to you. I'd make it a point to try 47's with both a M7 and K47 capsule so you understand first hand the noticeable difference, and I'm guessing based on your material you'll prefer one with a K47 type cap.

Another option that may be less than ideal to you is to find a seller, who gives you a return policy if it's not a fit for you. Then you're only out the return shipping to try it out and know how it fits you if you send it back. shipping now days probably isn't cheap but to know how it fits you in your room with an option to return is worth it I think if you think a mic is possible fit for you giving you the peace of mind knowing one way or the other, you can move forward or move on. FWIW.

Diclaimer, haven’t read through the thread. If I were in your position with such an excellent mic locker,, I’d buy the Powerstrip. If you do look closer at a 47 clone, maybe consider adding the H47Tube to your shortlist? And I had an M149, was not a fan at all, but I’m not a fan of bright in general.

I don't understand the obsession with the U47 either. I just got an M49 and that microphone is amazing on softer music. A little bit more transparent aka balanced then the U47. You get that larger then life sound of the 47 without the bloated characteristics. I haven't tried any clones of the M49 but all the bigger popular brands do one.

I also really liked the GAP 800G and I'm sure the Stam is great.

The thing is if possible demo a few microphones and see what you like. It's subjective and you'll also get a sense of how your U67re performs. Good luck!

Those reference are not really relevant to todays music if you don't want to chase that particular tone.

You should base your opinion on your own experience. I know you have, but to repeat whatever internet says isn't necessarily the right thing for you or the OP in this case.

The M49 sounds so good I can't really imagine anyone would prefer the U47 over the M49