Similar sounding microphones to the Neumann U67?

[bove]

I have a client who loves the sound of the Neumann 67 on his instrument, and we have been looking around for a good one to buy. It's not easy to find a nice one of these up for sale, so I'd like to try out some other options.

I have a question for those of you who are familiar with the sound of the Neumann 67... what other microphones sound similar?

I'm thinking I'd like to set up a test with a group of similar microphones as well as a 67, and we could then figure out what to do. Perhaps we will find one with a similar sound we like even better, and which might be more easily obtained!

[seaneldon]

It's hard to find a U67? And you're in NY? Look a little harder, brother.

I can get in my car now, stop to get gas, and be in Midtown in 3.5 hours. I can bring you to studios that have one U67, and studios that have quite a few U67s. If it hasn't been a great month for the room, I'm willing to bet they'll part with a microphone that'll fetch more money than it's EVER been worth. They might regret it soon thereafter, but hey...there's still a decent number of working U67s (and the ones that don't really work can in fact be restored!) at lots of other studios and they can probably get one the same way you can get one. And hey, if you grab one from a studio, they'll absolutely have some way of letting you hear them!!!

Also, which U67 has your client heard? Who is to say you'll find another one that sounds the same way? Can you hire the particular microphone he's used before?

As for "other microphones"...yeah, that's 100% possible too. The hardest part will be getting his head out of "I NEED THAT OLD MICROPHONE!!!" mode. If you can do that, you're set. Take your pick. There's plenty of newly manufactured mics that sound old (in the good way) and some will even blow the doors off of some great 67's.

[darkwavo]

Originally Posted by seaneldon

There's plenty of newly manufactured mics that sound old (in the good way) and some will even blow the doors off of some great 67's.

please go on....

[fivedoor]

i had this thread bookmarked a while ago - hope that helps :

U67 clone?

[kats]

Originally Posted by seaneldon

It's hard to find a U67? And you're in NY? Look a little harder, brother.

I can get in my car now, stop to get gas, and be in Midtown in 3.5 hours. I can bring you to studios that have one U67, and studios that have quite a few U67s. If it hasn't been a great month for the room, I'm willing to bet they'll part with a microphone that'll fetch more money than it's EVER been worth. They might regret it soon thereafter, but hey...there's still a decent number of working U67s (and the ones that don't really work can in fact be restored!) at lots of other studios and they can probably get one the same way you can get one. And hey, if you grab one from a studio, they'll absolutely have some way of letting you hear them!!!

Also, which U67 has your client heard? Who is to say you'll find another one that sounds the same way? Can you hire the particular microphone he's used before?

As for "other microphones"...yeah, that's 100% possible too. The hardest part will be getting his head out of "I NEED THAT OLD MICROPHONE!!!" mode. If you can do that, you're set. Take your pick. There's plenty of newly manufactured mics that sound old (in the good way) and some will even blow the doors off of some great 67's.

Are you joking or what? U67's are very difficult to find right now and are fetching over 6k a pop. Good luck on your road trip. (Put me down for two btw)

Secondly, U67's don't sound "old" (whatever the hell that means) and there's nothing on the market that sounds like them either.

Other than that, your right. There are some great new microphones out there, albiet different, but great (a 67 isn't my first choice by a long shot for vox). But if you really want a 67, you only have one choice.

[rosecrud]

Hey There,

I have had my 67 for about 1 1/2 years now. I got it from Vintage King and so far it's the nicest looking and sounding one I've ever scene/heard. Although Ive only used about 3-4 others so maybe it's hard to tell. But anyhow, I do agree that so far I can't find any other mic that sounds similar. I really wouldn't know what to recommend. I can't recall putting up another mic and thinking it sounded like my 67. Even other 67's didn't sound like mine. And I certainly don't think any of the other classic mics sound like it either. If someone knows of one please let me know. I'd be interested in hearing one.
.
I feel like if you look hard enough you can find one. You probably just have to pay for it. Give Vintage King a call. Those are good guys and always have stuff coming in and out.

Kind Regards,
Sean

[soupking]

Odds are Vintage King will point him towards the Korby KAT w/ the U67 head.

Korby makes great micrphones.

[kats]

VK hasn't had any for months. People have actually fowarded deposits for when they do get some in.

[gevermil]

I dont get this . If the capsule is available and the clone transformer is available .
The tube is available . Whats the deal ? Why isnt anyone making this ?
Sorry If I missed something

[djwaudio]

Nothing I've ever heard seems to capture the emotion of a performance quite the way the 67 does. It's not so much the sound that is amazing, it just seems to be a conduit of an intangible essence. Woo wooo...

[bove]

Thank you everyone for your input!

Any suggestions on other microphones "sonically similar" to the U67 that I should check out?

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by gevermil

I dont get this . If the capsule is available and the clone transformer is available .
The tube is available . Whats the deal ? Why isnt anyone making this ?
Sorry If I missed something

I'm asking myself the same question.

[kats]

Yeah, a freaking u87 retrofit (similar to innerTube audio) would be ideal.

[Meriphew]

I think it's time for Neumann/Sennheiser to redeem themselves by re-releasing the U67.

[mltamisin]

Looks expensive but I found one here:

NEUMANN U67 CONDENSOR MICROPHONE TELEFUNKEN EF 86 TUBE - eBay (item 270208561550 end time Feb-02-08 09:03:47 PST)

[kellyd]

I don't think Neuman would be redeeming themselves by releasing the U67. More like they would ruin it.

[infopimpster]

They'd probably do a TLM67 or something

[Plush]

Neumann already did re-release the U67.

It sold out immediately.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Plush

Neumann already did re-release the U67.

Anyone for seconds (or is it thirds)?

[kellyd]

I imagine the new U87 ltd will sell out too. Does that mean the mic is as good?

[Plush]

Originally Posted by kellyd

I imagine the new U87 ltd will sell out too. Does that mean the mic is as good?

Dear Sir,

What I'm talking about is that Neumann re-released the U67 after it was out of production. The U87, as we know is still in production and the anniversary version is the same mic as the standard version.

I think that Neumann (Sennheiser) is only interested in high volume sales now. That would rule out another build out of the U67. This has already been talked about extensively on other microphone forums.

[kellyd]

I'm highly offended you called me sir.

[kellyd]

One more thing, the U87 has been out of production for a while now. They now make the U87Ai which is not really the same mic.

[HockeyMike]

This might be a little late to help the original poster, but the Soundelux U99 is supposed to be patterned off of the 67...though some people say the U99 has more of a hi-mid presence peak that a "typical" 67.

[E.rOk.stA]

Isn't the Mojave audio MA-200 supposed to sound pretty close??

[walth]

Originally Posted by bove

I have a client who loves the sound of the Neumann 67 on his instrument, and we have been looking around for a good one to buy. It's not easy to find a nice one of these up for sale, so I'd like to try out some other options.

I have a question for those of you who are familiar with the sound of the Neumann 67... what other microphones sound similar?

I'm thinking I'd like to set up a test with a group of similar microphones as well as a 67, and we could then figure out what to do. Perhaps we will find one with a similar sound we like even better, and which might be more easily obtained!

the Korby is nice. The Brauner VM1/Phantom series microphones are like a u-67. kind of. Worst case scenario i'd just use a U-87.

[bove]

Originally Posted by HockeyMike

This might be a little late to help the original poster...

Hi, thanks for all the information everyone! And no, it's not too late. Fortunately, the projects involving this client are moving slowly, and we have yet to set off on our hunt for the ideal U67-ish microphone for this. So all suggestions are welcome!

[DesertDawg]

Originally Posted by the Set Surgeon

Isn't the Mojave audio MA-200 supposed to sound pretty close??

Personally, I think it has some similar characteristics of a modified -67... specifically, the Stephen Paul sub-micron (0.9) diaphragm mod, that also involved some electronics modifications in a further option of refinement, but in that regard I'm not sure what they usually do or did to the rest of the guts - maybe someone who's had that modification done can elaborate here. Now, I've never recorded with a stock -67, but I have recorded with one of the modded ones as mentioned above, and I've also heard some raw tracks that other people have done with the same mic, and I own an MA-200, so my opinion is based on the sound of ONE of those modded -67's; in any event, the Mojave has a thinner diaphragm (2 micron) than you usually encounter (6 micron is preeminently common in a massively wide variety of LDC's, both tube & non-), so it has some of those same fast-transient response & "airy" characteristics, and it's a pretty warm-sounding mic, as well.

Does it sound exactly like a modded -67 like the kind I mentioned? No, but again, it does have some very similar characteristics, I think; and if you want something that'll get you in the ballpark - or at least the city the ballpark is located in - it might be a good candidate for you. I do notice it can be a little bit on the "wooly" side, depending on the preamp - some will accentuate this more than others - which sometimes works on a particular voice, but also sometimes obviously may not, but then you can say that about any mic. Proximity effect ain't too overbearing, and the pattern's not so tight that you hear a big off-axis effect when the singer barely moves an inch to the left or right (which you DO hear with the Peluso CK-67 capsule - I've tried that capsule in 2 different mics before). Anyway, just my experience... I believe it's a good mic overall, not just a good mic for the $$$, and may be at least worth checking out for the sound you're going for.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by HockeyMike

This might be a little late to help the original poster, but the Soundelux U99 is supposed to be patterned off of the 67...though some people say the U99 has more of a hi-mid presence peak that a "typical" 67.

The u99 did/does have more of a presence peak than a U67. Try recording a clean 'folk' style harmonica on a U67 (ala Dylan) and then on a U99. The U99 will be too bright. Still a great mic though (in particular the later U99b).

[Kore]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

so why are they making a U87, when you guys talk of how the U67 is better? it has the tube. alright. thats probably good.

Havent i just read your posting in a seperate forum about a u67 being your ultimate tom mic?