Why is the U87 used for vocals on so many records?

[perx]

Is it the combination of the microphone together with some preamps that makes it such a favourite for vocals?

Im getting more and more mics myself - and been reading tons and tons of diffirent reviews, articles, etc.. And on SO MANY recordings, the U87 has been used... Often along with Neve gear, etc...

Then on the other end, some say the U87 isnt that good..

I have not had the chance to try one out yet.. But with so many using.. I sure get the urge to locate one and test it..

What do you think about this mic? And are there a diffirent U87 versions that sound diffirent?

lets hear it!

[Drumsound]

The one I have sounds good and takes very well to EQ and compression and thus is very useful. I would assume others have had similar results.

Mine is a 70s, battery option purple badge, not a new Ai.

[erock]

Honestly, the stuff I've heard that was tracked with an 87 as far as vocals are concerned, I don't like. Of course it depends on the singer's voice. I've heard some good things with it on guitar amps though.

My theory is (and I will probably get flamed for this) that the 87 is used by so many people just because it is the 'industry standard'...to me it seems every time I see a new studio come out, they start off with all the same things: a pair of 414's, a bunch of 57s and 421s, a Royer or two, and an 87.

Try out the 87, you might like it. I just think its dull. Trust YOUR ears, though. You are the one who's going to be using it.

e

[erock]

Originally Posted by Drumsound

Mine is a 70s, battery option purple badge, not a new Ai.

Bingo.

Another point I forgot to make.

[Mozart]

I've had old ones, and now I have only a pair of the new ones, U87Ai.
They are great on everything! Especially after I bought neve 33122A ! I never heard them sound so good on Vocals. I loved them before with SCA N72 and Presonus ADL600, API 512b... ! But they really shine with Neve!

[warhead]

Same reason I suppose C414's have been a go to mic for decades, it rarely sounds "bad" on anything.

War

[neilio]

like anything there are probably a few reasons..

first off..all 87's are good mics(versions,not states of repair)

1)ubiquity....they are everywhere.

2)they seem to do well for the range of human voice,like someone else said they eq well...

many great vocal mics arent so good anywhere else...the 87, i have found to be good on everything....drum o/h's,toms,secondary kick's, gtr amps...decent room mics....they are also good for backup singers, say , when nothing else is available.

in my opinion the standard of an all-around good mic,even the new ones.

[goldenlotus]

I had my first experience with a U87ai today actually. A guy I'm working with brought it over to my studio which was a great way to check it out because I got to hear it on my setup. After reading a good amount about people who weren't impressed I wasn't really expecting to be blown away. We used it on some female vox, plugged straight into a digi 002r pre.

First off let me say that my opinion is based on my experience with a Neumann TLM103, Shure KSM44 and a Rode NT1000. What I loved about the U87 was the complete lack of sibilence(unlike the TLM 103). It had a very warm sound, a little dark for my taste, but nothing a little eq wouldn't fix. I feel like it would sound much better with a nice preamp. Much more clear than the nt1000. In fact I noticed some room sound from my booth that wasn't as prominent with the Rode.

I really like the U87. Not sure I would go out and buy one if I didn't have anything else but it is pretty cool! I will probably buy one at some point.

[peeder]

In some ways it's a matter of, "Well, what else is there?"

In others it's like the 57: it's versatile, it rarely disappoints, and most of all, it gets you the sound you're familiar with.

Most people want to sound like everyone else.

[AllAboutTone]

What can i say ? the u87 is a staple.

[tclash]

Originally Posted by warhead

Same reason I suppose C414's have been a go to mic for decades, it rarely sounds "bad" on anything.

War

I don't know. The 414-ULS sounds pretty bad on a lot of things.

[andremattos]

Originally Posted by tclash

I don't know. The 414-ULS sounds pretty bad on a lot of things.

I agree

[Kenny Gioia]

I find the 414 to be a pretty crappy mic except on cymbals. Usually the ride.

The U-87 is a damn good mic. Not as hyped as modern mics, but in it's heyday, recordings weren't hyped either.

And just like any vintage Neumann, it takes to EQ beautifully.

I remember really really early on in my career preferring the 414 to the U47 tube on a vocal because of the hyped top end until the owner ran the 47 thru a pultec to match the top end. The 414 then went back in the closet. It's diaphragm hung low.

[dmb10]

u87's do not show themselves as the true gems that they are until you put them in a dense pop/rock mix. I once wanted to compare a u47 and rode k2, but also put up the 87 (just for a reference). To my surprise when I pulled up the 87 the vocal cut perfectly without being harsh. It also translates very well on consumer stereos.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by tclash

I don't know. The 414-ULS sounds pretty bad on a lot of things.

Sorry, I was talkin' old school original 414, the ones that roamed the earth with original U87's...

War

[tclash]

Originally Posted by warhead

Sorry, I was talkin' old school original 414, the ones that roamed the earth with original U87's...

War

Yes indeed. For the first several years I worked in studios (mid-late 80's) I only ever used the ULS and really grew to hate it (worked as a drum room mic sometimes). At some point I did a session with a couple of EB's for drum oh's and thought 'holy sh*t!' No sonic resemblence to the ULS at all.

I don't even think the TLIIs are that horrible. But man, do I have bad memories of those ULS's!

Back OT I have gotten some really great vocal sounds using a flat U87. It's one of those mics that may not have much of a Wow factor, but at the very least I'd say it delivers a solid. useable vocal nine times out of ten.

[perx]

so a U-87 is considered better than the Neumann U-87Ai?

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by perx

so a U-87 is considered better than the Neumann U-87Ai?

Not by Klaus....

[warhead]

Originally Posted by perx

so a U-87 is considered better than the Neumann U-87Ai?

They're different. One of the engineers next door picked up a U87ai recently and we spent a bit of time with that and an original, A/B'ing them just on his voice. The original U87 was a bit crunchier in the top end, but had a more exciting midrange to it. The new AI was more forgiving / less crunchy up top and had a smooth midrange thing happening by comparison.

Quick A/B, but if anything it let us know that these two mics aren't very similar.

"Better" is always subjective, I could see either mic serving a purpose "better" than the other in a given situation in a given mix.

War

[allbaldo]

I agree that the U87 rarely, if ever, sounds bad on anything, but what bugs me is how rarely it sounds GREAT on something.. to my ears at least. Like when you try a bunch of mics on a vocalist, and one really stands out as being the right one. The U87 doesn't win that often for me. On the other hand, it was the only LDC we had at the first studio I worked in, so we always used it, and it never sucked, which is good too.

[Jim Williams]

Because recordists are creatures of habit. And they are lazy.

How many take the time to put up every vocal mic with a new singer to determine the best choice?

Not enough.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by perx

Is it the combination of the microphone together with some preamps that makes it such a favourite for vocals?

Im getting more and more mics myself - and been reading tons and tons of diffirent reviews, articles, etc.. And on SO MANY recordings, the U87 has been used... Often along with Neve gear, etc...

Then on the other end, some say the U87 isnt that good..

I have not had the chance to try one out yet.. But with so many using.. I sure get the urge to locate one and test it..

What do you think about this mic? And are there a diffirent U87 versions that sound diffirent?

lets hear it!

How can you tell what records use an 87?
Is it listed on the credits?

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by allencollins

How can you tell what records use an 87?
Is it listed on the credits?

It's been used on so many records for so many years that it is a standard. Doesn't mean it's always the best choice, but when Karen Carpenter can sound THAT good on one, if you're not getting a good sound out of it I'd look somewhere else besides the mic...

TH

[perx]

Originally Posted by allencollins

How can you tell what records use an 87?
Is it listed on the credits?

reading interviews.. reading in depth articles about the recordings of diffirent albums, etc..

Whenever you read on how a specific song was created or what studios used or have in their arsenal - you almost always see the U87 there.

pick up any copy of Sound On sound, Future music, Remix or The Mix and read artist or studio interviews, in depth articles about specific recordings, etc.. And youll see what I mean..

If you browse online, you can also check out the studios that lists their gear and have other info on their sites - and youll see the U87 there..

I just spotted it being used on so many hit songs and albums that I had to ask this question on Gear Slutz..

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

It's been used on so many records for so many years that it is a standard. Doesn't mean it's always the best choice, but when Karen Carpenter can sound THAT good on one, if you're not getting a good sound out of it I'd look somewhere else besides the mic...
TH

Karen Carpenter would sound great with a couple of cups and a string. It wasn't the mic on those sessions, it was the talent. More important than any mic.

Someday all of you will learn this.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[6777]

Lee Herschberg used it for vocals on most of the Harpers Bizarre recordings

[mikey]

yes i understand what Jim is saying,But isn't it the mic and the preamp that captures the sound and detail of such a talent

[RicardoWheelock]

Ok guys, my name is Ricardo Wheelock, I live and work in Barcelona as a sound teacher and as a sound engineer, I teach at microfusa, wich is one of the bigest sound schools in Spain...so here is my first post in gearslutz:

I recently decided to make a fair test of 4 microphones with a coincident capsules technique. The mics in question are AT4060 vs AKG414 B-ULS vs Neumann U87 vs Neuman TLM 103. I spent like 1 hour in one of the studios at the school setting up the mic stands so the test could be somehow subjective. I used 4 identical preamps from our Audient desk, identical cables with Neutrik conectors, and 3 diferent takes (check out the pic):

a) Overhead at 1,5 mts in front of the drums
b) Acoustic guitar
c) Vocal + Nylon Guitar

So please check them out and I'll wait for coments!!

Cheers

[RicardoWheelock]

Notice that I am posting short audio clips due to the uploading process

[RicardoWheelock]

Ok gearslutz here are the last one, I am the one playing and singing (thank god I don't live from playing )

By the way, the AT4060 had only 30 min to warm up, please keep in mind that....I own that baby...won't coment on anything else, I rather wait for your coments!!