|
|
Post by carymiller on May 20, 2015 15:32:52 GMT -6
Just wondering what you guys would look at in terms of similar sounding modern mics on a budget (Not a vintage or AI model.)
|
|
|
|
Post by ragan on May 20, 2015 16:06:21 GMT -6
This new 3U Warbler I business is really something. Check out the thread to see the build details and hear some clips. I've rented a 70s U87 a good bit and this thing sounds a lot like the tracks I used that 87 on.
|
|
|
|
Post by carymiller on May 20, 2015 16:09:05 GMT -6
This new 3U Warbler I business is really something. Check out the thread to see the build details and hear some clips. I've rented a 70s U87 a good bit and this thing sounds a lot like the tracks I used that 87 on. What do the Warbler's usually run? |
|
|
|
Post by ragan on May 20, 2015 16:20:36 GMT -6
This new 3U Warbler I business is really something. Check out the thread to see the build details and hear some clips. I've rented a 70s U87 a good bit and this thing sounds a lot like the tracks I used that 87 on. What do the Warbler's usually run? $299. No joke. You can read Dennis's (KidVybes) threads or PM him for some of the back story but it's a really unique deal with this build quality. Only problem is since Dennis gave the heads up on these, 3U sold the whole batch. He's waiting on bodies at the moment. Doesn't sound like it'll be too long. |
|
|
|
Post by carymiller on May 20, 2015 17:32:03 GMT -6
What do the Warbler's usually run? $299. No joke. You can read Dennis's (KidVybes) threads or PM him for some of the back story but it's a really unique deal with this build quality. Only problem is since Dennis gave the heads up on these, 3U sold the whole batch. He's waiting on bodies at the moment. Doesn't sound like it'll be too long. There's a few similiar mics that come up:
ADK THOR ($350)
ADK ODIN ($400)
LAUTEN AUDIO ATLANTIS FC-387 ($1,500)
SE ELECTRONICS GEMINI II ($1,500)And the 3U Warbler you mention...which isn't on the website...or maybe is and is really $400ish? But still...all of these seem far more cost effective than a vintage U87 at this point. Or an AI. |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
|
Post by ericn on May 20, 2015 17:36:21 GMT -6
If you really want the U87 go DIY and pic your capsule and transformer to meet your budget.
|
|
|
|
Post by ragan on May 20, 2015 17:37:54 GMT -6
$299. No joke. You can read Dennis's (KidVybes) threads or PM him for some of the back story but it's a really unique deal with this build quality. Only problem is since Dennis gave the heads up on these, 3U sold the whole batch. He's waiting on bodies at the moment. Doesn't sound like it'll be too long. There's a few similiar mics that come up:
ADK THOR ($350)
ADK ODIN ($400)
LAUTEN AUDIO ATLANTIS FC-387 ($1,500)
SE ELECTRONICS GEMINI II ($1,500)And the 3U Warbler you mention...which isn't on the website...or maybe is and is really $400ish? But still...all of these seem far more cost effective than a vintage U87 at this point. Or an AI. Here's the mic. It's actually just called the Warbler. There's a Warbler II that's a 47Fet type so we've been calling the 87 type the "Warbler I" He sells them through eBay or you can email him directly (for me it was a better price that way). This is a veteran engineer/designer who just started this thing up. Old school builds with WIMA, Dale and Fairchild components and non OEM capsules. Haven't really seen an animal like this in a budget mic before this. . |
|
|
|
Post by kcatthedog on May 20, 2015 17:59:48 GMT -6
lots of info on the STCNBN !
|
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on May 20, 2015 18:25:52 GMT -6
There's a few similiar mics that come up:
ADK THOR ($350)
ADK ODIN ($400)
LAUTEN AUDIO ATLANTIS FC-387 ($1,500)
SE ELECTRONICS GEMINI II ($1,500)And the 3U Warbler you mention...which isn't on the website...or maybe is and is really $400ish? But still...all of these seem far more cost effective than a vintage U87 at this point. Or an AI. Here's the mic. It's actually just called the Warbler. There's a Warbler II that's a 47Fet type so we've been calling the 87 type the "Warbler I" He sells them through eBay or you can email him directly (for me it was a better price that way). This is a veteran engineer/designer who just started this thing up. Old school builds with WIMA, Dale and Fairchild components and non OEM capsules. Haven't really seen an animal like this in a budget mic before this. . Hi Ragan, do you have a link to this? Thanx |
|
|
|
Post by ragan on May 20, 2015 18:39:29 GMT -6
Here's the mic. It's actually just called the Warbler. There's a Warbler II that's a 47Fet type so we've been calling the 87 type the "Warbler I" He sells them through eBay or you can email him directly (for me it was a better price that way). This is a veteran engineer/designer who just started this thing up. Old school builds with WIMA, Dale and Fairchild components and non OEM capsules. Haven't really seen an animal like this in a budget mic before this. . Hi Ragan, do you have a link to this? Thanx Sorry, I'm not clear what you're asking for a link to. If you search 3U Audio on eBay you'll see what he's got at the moment. Or The 3U Audio website has his email. |
|
|
|
Post by acegunn on May 20, 2015 18:47:36 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin John Butler on May 20, 2015 18:52:18 GMT -6
I'd look for a second hand Mojave MA-200 or 300, and save yourself the time and trouble. Last week I tried the Mojave MA-300 briefly, and it sure sounded like a quality Neumann U87 to me.
|
|
|
|
Post by kidvybes on May 20, 2015 19:08:00 GMT -6
I recommend you read that thread about the 3U Audio Warbler-series FET microphones: realgearonline.com/thread/3129/affordable-ldc-microphone-multiple-voicings ...each model has 3 switchable voicings...I am currently testing two (an 87 and a 47 variant) and awaiting the 251 variant...so far the performance of these relatively inexpensive mics is quite impressive...the mic's designer has employed his own custom-designed capsules and transformers (exclusive to 3U Audio, not OEM Chinese) as well as Dale resistors, WIMA capacitors, and Fairchild FETs...the mics are assembled in his factory, so QC is very high for mics of this price class... The matching of capsules and transformers is historically accurate: Warbler I - K67 capsule + 9.5:1 transformer (same Fairchild FET used by Neumann in the U87) Warbler II - K47 capsule + 6.5:1 transformer Warbler III thru V - C12 capsule + 12:1 transformer (3 variants from classic C12 to 251 voicing) These are currently being offered at under $300 each as part of an introductory program...3U Audio also offers higher-end FET and tube microphones...the designer behind these mics has a long history of involvement with the development of some very well-respected brands...I have been testing these alongside some of my GDIY clone mics, and I must say, with cost differentials being rather dramatic, these mics hang... The Warbler I is not a "U87 clone", but it delivers a very high-quality sonic image that is clearly recognizable as "87-like"...the designer told me he voiced his K67 capsule (used in this mic) from a vintage 70's Neumann capsule, so these are more 70's U87 than U87ai... I would not classify these mics alongside similar priced FET mics, some of which are on your list above...these mics deliver performance more in the class of the Mojave and Miktek FET models...I compared the $299 Warbler I with my $599 Lewitt LCT540 (designed by a former AKG project designer as a 414/87 hybrid)...the Warbler smoked it IMHO... |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 20, 2015 19:50:30 GMT -6
Looks like the Studio Projects C1 to me...
I don't know what all the hate for the U87ai is for (not here, per se, but other places). It's not particularly my bag, but I thought it was very nice on top on it. It was forward in the midrange...but hey - so are 47's.. Anyway - I haven't really heard anything that sounded like it to my ears.
|
|
|
|
Post by ragan on May 20, 2015 20:04:02 GMT -6
KidVybes ain't Kiddin. These aren't your grandfather's budget mics...
|
|
|
|
Post by kidvybes on May 20, 2015 20:09:45 GMT -6
Looks like the Studio Projects C1 to me... ...no similarity to the original SP C1 which was very bright...SP mics are built in a good factory, 797Audio...the newer CS-series SP mics are much superior, but the 3U Warbler smoked my SP CS5 too...both my Lewitt LCT540 and SP CS5 went bye-bye after hearing these mics... ...the surprising thing about these Warbler-series FET mics is that they have a 3-dimensional quality I've not heard before on mics in this price category...waiting for a shootout between a 70's U87 and the Warbler I (hey Ragan that's a hint!)... |
|
|
|
Post by deehope on May 21, 2015 8:37:06 GMT -6
Just wondering what you guys would look at in terms of similar sounding modern mics on a budget (Not a vintage or AI model.) Hands down! JJ audio greyhound. |
|
|
|
Post by watchtower on May 21, 2015 14:25:44 GMT -6
You can build a DiY clone with the actual Neumann capsule, an AMI transformer, and a similarly-shaped body/headbasket. I plan to build a pair in the future (probably very distant, considering how poor I am)
|
|
|
|
Post by dandeurloo on May 22, 2015 7:27:27 GMT -6
You can build a DiY clone with the actual Neumann capsule, an AMI transformer, and a similarly-shaped body/headbasket. I plan to build a pair in the future (probably very distant, considering how poor I am) This what I did and they sound really great. The only thing different is I used original transformers as well. |
|
|
|
Post by swurveman on May 22, 2015 7:44:26 GMT -6
I didn't want to start a separate thread for this since we're discussing the 87 mic and clones. So, apologies for the slight diversion:
I got offered a Neumann U87ai, which I have used so I know there's no issues, for $1,800.00. Has anybody done the Inner Tube Audio Retrofit turning it into a tube mic? Honestly, I was not blown away by the U87ai, but people rave about the old tubed U87's. So, I'm curious.
|
|
|
|
Post by deehope on May 22, 2015 9:00:40 GMT -6
Grab that for sure and then pickup the u67 mod from ioaudio. I didn't want to start a separate thread for this since we're discussing the 87 mic and clones. So, apologies for the slight diversion: I got offered a Neumann U87ai, which I have used so I know there's no issues, for $1,800.00. Has anybody done the Inner Tube Audio Retrofit turning it into a tube mic? Honestly, I was not blown away by the U87ai, but people rave about the old tubed U87's. So, I'm curious. |
|
|
|
Post by aremos on May 22, 2015 9:27:33 GMT -6
" the old tubed U87's"?
Are you referring to the 67?
That & even the 89 (170) sound way different than the 87. I would choose those before.
|
|
|
|
Post by swurveman on May 22, 2015 17:05:55 GMT -6
" the old tubed U87's"? Are you referring to the 67? That & even the 89 (170) sound way different than the 87. I would choose those before. This is what I'm referring to: The retrofitted U-87 |
|
|
|
Post by wiz on May 22, 2015 17:18:47 GMT -6
You can build a DiY clone with the actual Neumann capsule, an AMI transformer, and a similarly-shaped body/headbasket. I plan to build a pair in the future (probably very distant, considering how poor I am) This what I did and they sound really great. The only thing different is I used original transformers as well. That sounds really interesting dandeurlooWhat sort of cost was it in the end? What did you end up using as the head basket (wondering how much the orig head basket has impact on the end result.) pretty cool. cheers Wiz |
|
|
|
Post by carymiller on May 22, 2015 22:17:01 GMT -6
This what I did and they sound really great. The only thing different is I used original transformers as well. That sounds really interesting dandeurlooWhat sort of cost was it in the end? What did you end up using as the head basket (wondering how much the orig head basket has impact on the end result.) pretty cool. cheers Wiz Nuemann always patents the headbasket and grill designs on their mics when they can...but there's ways to "tune" a mic to get close enough. Peluso for example have a fantastic U67 clone...it's not far off the mark at all. And a tiny bit of EQ would get anyone over the finish line for sounding virtually identical if things like aging electronics are part of the equation you "need" to mimic. U67 Shootout with P67 |
|
