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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 18, 2021 17:25:50 GMT -6
I really liked the TLM67 when I had it. It’s not a U67, but it’s solid.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 18, 2021 11:39:25 GMT -6
The short answer is the U87 is a very good mic.
The long answer is I use the my U87ai for tons of stuff around the studio. It's my go to for background vocals. I like it for shakers and various instruments; cello, acoustic guitar. I've used it and a custom U87 clone as a room pair for a string quartet. What I don't use it for a ton is lead vocals. I really like it on certain female vocals. Emily's voice is a prime example of how good that mic can sound on a full voiced soprano vocalist. However, put it on a thinner coloratura and it's shriek city. Nasal voices become even more nasal, at least on my U87ai. I find it sounds thinner on my voice than I would like, but it works fine. The key to it is finding a good preamp to accompany it. Where it shines if dense songs with big mixes, especially if you want to layer it. I particularly like it through a decent tube preamp like a Demeter VTMP-2 or a Neve 1073 or 1272. The U87 is a bit of a chameleon and will take on aspects of the preamp's character really well. Most of the time in my studio I reach for either the U67 or FleA 49 for lead vocals.
Still, it's a pretty solid vocal mic. I will admit that recently I did a pop/Christian sort of David Phelps style studio vocal single where the U87 was the clear winner for the client on my vocal, and I really agreed with him. I gave him a quick verse & chorus using the U87ai, U67, and FleA 49 before I started work on the vocal. Here is the finished product. (I did not mix this).
We also used it on all the vocals for my first album through a Summit MPC-100 preamp at Gurari Studios. Here is my main stream classical crossover song:
On the classical pieces on the album we again used the U87ai through a Summit MPC-100 preamp. We also added a BLUE Woodpecker for some warmth, and a Royer SF12 in the hall to capture the beautiful hall at the NY Opera Center where I recorded it.
I have a bunch of shootouts featuring my U87ai on my own YouTube Channel. You can heat it next to the Chandler Redd, RMS 269, FleA 47, and a slew of Advanced Audio mics and Slate VMS emulations: www.youtube.com/c/ElegantVintageEntertainment
These days there are other options for workhorses. I like the Lauten Atlantis which has multiple voicings. On the more modern side the BLUE Kiwi is also very nice and U87ish. Still, if you want the U87 sound go for the U87. Hearing good things about the Serrano 87 too.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 18, 2021 10:02:52 GMT -6
If you want to hear what the V comp does, send me a raw file and I’ll run it through mine and send it back.
As for mics, I might look at a 251 and hear what that does. I really like what the M149 is doing for your vocals here. The U47 might be too big, unless it’s a ballad without a ton of layers. Or a U47 lead vocal with the M149 on the layers.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 16, 2021 13:45:06 GMT -6
I was just gifted one of these. I can't wait t get it set up!
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 15, 2021 4:47:17 GMT -6
I hate that he uses EQ from the get go on all the mics, but this is still an interesting mic shootout. The vintage 251 and C24 sound amazing. The Mic Parts reminds me of my old Advanced Audio CM12SE. The Warm doesn’t fair as well and his reaction to it is kind of funny.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 9, 2021 15:29:58 GMT -6
Great new book to read on my birthday. Love reading these types of books but you never get the time to sit down and get into them without being interrupted By something. Anyone else read this audio book? View AttachmentI caved... http://instagram.com/p/CNdRoTEB-hF
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 6, 2021 21:05:11 GMT -6
I may be down for a pair of these also, just not sure I have the stomach for the process. I'd love it if they could just build a bunch and put them for sale. I can't figure out the business model for the life of me. It seems exhausting, putting out fires constantly when the time and energy could be used to build and sell.
If not the Stam, are there any other serious contenders for 67 clones coming down the pike soon?
I *really* like the ADK Z67. Modeled more on the M269, but a very 3D microphone. So strong on male vocal. Google can lead you to some otherwise more convincing takes on the mic. Another company in my experience which combines outstanding communication with customer service. Their Z251 is mighty good, too. If you’re going for the M269 sound grab an RMS 269. It’s seriously good. It’s not the same as the U67 though.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 6, 2021 12:59:57 GMT -6
This is one of the few clips I've been able to find the UT FET47.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 6, 2021 4:43:37 GMT -6
Well, it sounds like most of us would expect. I do wonder if the body kit is interchangeable with a U87. Might make a nice donor mic for an 87 clone.
**Edit: Glenn just advised they are different sizes.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 5, 2021 17:35:30 GMT -6
I’m not sure if the D6 is the best Kick sound, but damn it’s the easiest to get a good kick sound. Meh! John, you have the Heiserman H47 FET, right? What do you think of it?
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 4, 2021 12:04:32 GMT -6
Although, that MG...
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 4, 2021 7:27:17 GMT -6
Well I have owned a U47 FET mic and honestly it was not my favorite and I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it or even a clone again. At around 1000 - 1200 USD used the Gefell UM70 is such a better mic. I also prefer my U87 when it comes to all around usage. I was going to say something similar in that I’ve been looking at the Neumann U47 FET since a friend of mine started posted really nice sounding videos with it. I am really interested in Heiserman’s take on it, but I keep thinking for the money I could grab a pair of UMT 70S, which have multiple polar patterns to boot. Still...
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 4, 2021 6:53:15 GMT -6
Great new book to read on my birthday. Love reading these types of books but you never get the time to sit down and get into them without being interrupted By something. Anyone else read this audio book? View AttachmentI want pick that up at some point.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 1, 2021 12:38:47 GMT -6
I hope someone at least PMed you to help you with this issue. Thanks, Vincent. I filled out the contact form on the Stam website the same day I made the post here. Didn't hear anything for a couple days, so I emailed Josh. He got back to me pretty quick and got me in touch with Teo at Stam Audio. It's going to be a really tricky situation, I'm afraid. Josh said they don't have any parts for my model (which is a mkI), and that they would potentially have to convert my unit to a mkII, because they don't make the mkI anymore. Teo said it's "out of factory warranty." So who knows where this is going to go. I'd rather not send it to Chile if at all possible. I'm going to try and hook up with a local tech around here and see if he'd be willing to take a look at it, but I'm admittedly a bit afraid that I have a boat anchor on my hands and nothing I can do about it without spending a bunch of money. So I'm quite frustrated at the moment. I can imagine. Hopefully they'll have a solution of some kind for you. I'm lucky enough to have a tech out here who has helped me with little issues with my gear and usually at a decent rate. Finding one isn't a bad idea.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 1, 2021 4:52:17 GMT -6
I hope someone at least PMed you to help you with this issue.
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Post by Vincent R. on Apr 1, 2021 4:50:34 GMT -6
ha! Probably not all..but a lot more than I thought would show up. Probably a lot of people that bought more compressor than they wanted/needed and realized how much money is tied up in it. I have not been able to find a single Stamchild listed on reverb or Ebay nor have ever heard of a customer parting with one. We have made hundreds of them so far. I just had a a call with Tony Maserati last week and him and Eddie Kramer's are not going anywhere, they are very happy. Could you kindly point me to the listing? Just looked on reverb and Ebay and there is nothing reverb.com/item/39754158-stam-audio-stamchild-670-mastering-edition-stepped-pots-2019reverb.com/item/39685163-stam-audio-stamchild-sa-670
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 29, 2021 4:39:22 GMT -6
I pretty much regretted it until I put the funds together to pick up another MK67 (also previously sold) and modded it with Neumann's BV12. The RMS269 has a touch more open on top, but had an m49ish beef in the mid range the MKU67 doesn't have. Still, the MKU67 suits Emily and I a bit better. Any advice on where to pick up a Neumann BV12? Was it a big improvement? It was a huge improvement, and now the microphone sounds at least as good as a decent reissue. Not sure where to get one now. Sennheiser has tightened their grip on all their spare parts.
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 26, 2021 10:42:22 GMT -6
Vincent, one good thing about the Shure microphones is they are so incredibly consistent from manufacturing, that any KSM44 you buy will sound exactly the same as the one you sold. I got my SM7B "back" eventually, I don't use it all the time, but I missed it enough to pick it up again. Like you, I sold a good microphone to help a computer purchase along. That was a huge upgrade, but I really miss the KM184. Will likely be looking for that one again, eventually. The computer has been rock solid and a top performer though, so not a terrible trade. Yeah, my new computer was worth it. I also picked up a used mac mini, juiced up the RAM and installed an SS drive. I was able to off load a bunch of my VIs that way using Vienna server. That has been a saving grace. As for the KSM 44, I'd probably grab another U87ai at this point. It was totally a sentimental thing.
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 26, 2021 10:06:53 GMT -6
I pretty much over think everything. So every sale I made I really weighed options. So I don't have a ton of regret. I bought and sold quite a few mics over the last few years. Most were decent and I only get rid of them to fund something better. I also never sold anything I couldn't possibly replace down the road. I wish I had kept my KSM44. It was my first mic. It was the mic I really learned to record on, so it is more a sentimental thing. It gave me the last few bucks I needed to grab my FleA 49, so I can't complain too much. I could grab another one, but unless I tracked down the original buyer I can never get that mic back.
I also regretted selling my RMS 269. I really liked what it did. I was at the beginning of my Christmas Album and my computer just couldn't handle the sessions of virtual instruments, vocal layers, etc. I could barely get protools to operate. I was starting to get tons of crashes and errors on sessions. I liked the 269, but our Flea 49 was just a better choice for both Emily and I, so I sold it to help fund the new iMac. I pretty much regretted it until I put the funds together to pick up another MK67 (also previously sold) and modded it with Neumann's BV12. The RMS269 has a touch more open on top, but had an m49ish beef in the mid range the MKU67 doesn't have. Still, the MKU67 suits Emily and I a bit better.
I recently sold my Demeter VTMP 2B. That's a piece I sometimes think about getting again. It's a fairly modern tube preamp that does something magic to FET mics. It wasn't usually right for vintage style tube mics. It's a piece I will probably buy again sometime down the road. Paired with my U87ai it was a real contender on lots of sources. Needed the sale to help fund my Neve 1073 DPX. I've been on a Neve kick, and the Demeter was never used nearly as much as I'm using my new 1073. Still, when I wanted one of my FET mics to sound a little more like a tube mic the Demeter could do that. Paired with a U87 or Blue Kiwi its a beast.
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 26, 2021 4:57:46 GMT -6
Rob is very nice and responsive. I was a fan of his RMS 269 and only sold it to help fund a new computer when my old one crapped out. I pretty much regretted it until I picked up and modded an MK67 kit with Neumann parts. The RMS 269 was a bit more open than my MKU67, but had a beefy almost M49 style quality in the mid range. I’ve even debated grabbing another one at some point. Maybe even trying out one of his other mics. Anyway, if you want more of my thoughts on the matter watch the video below.
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 25, 2021 20:45:36 GMT -6
I love the U87 through a good tube preamp. I used it a lot for male vocals through a Tab Funkenwerk V78M (V72 style preamp). I recorded my first album with a U87 through a Summit MPC-100. The Demeter VTMP is magic with FET mics like the U87 or Blue Kiwi. It’s just a fantastic sound. I sold off the both tube preamps and have been using my U87 through my Neve 1272 and 1073s and that is also a really nice sound. The U87 is a bit of a chameleon. Run it through a clean preamp, it’s pretty neutral. Run it through a pre with some vibe and it really adopts the character.
Ah, the KSM44. That was my first mic. It’s a bit cleaner sounding than the U87. A little bit more open too. The U87 seems to have a little more weight to it. That said I recorded everything with it; guitars, viola, all kinds of vocals, rooms. It was really gorgeous on cello. These days it wouldn’t be my first choice, but it’s what I learned with. It also benefits from a good tube preamp.
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 23, 2021 18:01:13 GMT -6
Following. Would love to chat with everyone.
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 19, 2021 21:55:24 GMT -6
I’m curious what people’s thoughts are on the Focusrite Red 16 Thunderbolt 3 converter. It’s got some nice input options. I wonder how it compares sonically with an Apollo 16x or Lynx.
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 17, 2021 18:25:52 GMT -6
This Chandler TG Microphone Cassette channel strip has been on my maybe someday list for some time if I ever saw one for a good buy to try out. That doesn't happen often with these but this one became available last week, 1 year old in mint condition, not a scratch on it, for a price I had nothing to lose by trying. So I'm looking forward to see how well it fits me. TG2 Preamp - Curve Bender EQ - TG1 Opto compressor which also has its own XLR I/O allowing you to use it separately of the preamp/EQ section if you want.
Can't wait to hear it!
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Post by Vincent R. on Mar 16, 2021 17:33:00 GMT -6
Since we are on the subject of cheap mics, I got the original Studio Projects C1 about 20 years ago (cough!) ... so I guess it’s vintage and sought after now? Haha.. I used it on EVERYTHING for a while, and after a classical piano session I was in the emergency room puking my guts out. Now, it had to be food poisoning. However.. that mic is the audio version of MSG, and when I hear it even today, I’m impressed for a few minutes before the migraine starts to come on and flashbacks to the ER. It does do a good job below 100hz, so I use it and low pass around 100-800Hz, never let myself hear it in full bandwidth for more than a few minutes a year. But I can listen to it low passed below 500hz just fine. When I get up in the mids, not so ok anymore. So for bass amp, sub kick, it gets the job done pretty well. I have also gotten pretty good results on guitar amps a few times, after a ton of ringing out the pain and weeks of tweaking the EQ in disappointment. So if a mic can give me a decent sub-kick, bass amp, and in a pinch be useful where S/N is important in a utility, well then it could be ok. I might use it for bottom toms, room mics and room corners facing away from the source, under a blanket, side of dark guitar cabs, etc. Mod it... microphone-parts.com/collections/mod-kits/products/studio-projects-c1-circuit-upgrade-kitYou can hear the mod here:
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