Perfect-match preamp for U67 or vintage U87?

[recky]

I'm currently trying to get my hands on either a good Neumann U67 or (pre-Sennheiser) U87 and was wondering what the perfect preamp match for these classics would be. Seeing that both mics are on the darker side of things, what would be a complementary preamp? I'm not really into a "modern", overly bright vocal sound (hence the mic choice), but if I were to add a dark preamp to a dark mic, this would be going somewhat over the top in the retro approach, wouldn't it?

Please giz your opinions, if you don't mind! I'd even consider older cassette modules à la Telefunken, but anything goes.

Cheers slutz,

Recky

[nbrecording]

The Neve 1073 DPA sounds really good with my Neumann U67.

[7rojo7]

V72

[van Overhalen]

Originally Posted by recky

Seeing that both mics are on the darker side of things, what would be a complementary preamp?

Hi recky,

I own two U67.
They are definitely NOT on the darker side. Actually they are quite bright.
Almost too bright for my Chandler TG 2.
A few days ago I recorded a female voice for a radio commercial and the U 67/TG 2 combination was too aggressive.
Used a tube preamp instead.

Hope that helps

[recky]

Originally Posted by van Overhalen

Hi recky,

I own two U67.
They are definitely NOT on the darker side. Actually they are quite bright.
Almost too bright for my Chandler TG 2.
A few days ago I recorded a female voice for a radio commercial and the U 67/TG 2 combination was too aggressive.
Used a tube preamp instead.

Hope that helps

Thanks for your reply!

Have your U67s been modified/refurbished? Apparently, the actual capsule is very bright, but the original circuitry has a heavy-handed treble roll-off, which is supposed to make them rather darker.

Cheers,

Recky

[HudHudson]

I have a nice purple badge U87 that has sounded best thru a 1073 or V76. I've tried API 312's (3124+) as well but vox sounded a bit forward in the midrange, bringing out the "honkiness" that U87s can exhibit with some singers. I have yet to try the 87 with my Neve Porticos but from my experience with the 5012 this summer I'll bet it sounds purty.

[ziegenh5]

There is no way to tell until you have the mic at hand, but in general, the forward upper mids found in most Neumanns is best complimented by a thick/rich transformer or transformer/tube based pre ala the 1073, V76, V72, etc. My favorite(having heard all of the above) with my U67 is my Trident B Range or my Dakings. Any and all mentioned in this thread will do an outstanding job though. I wouldn't worry about a dark mic with a dark pre. The pre's mentioned are not dark(especially the V72/V76), they just soften the midrange character and make it more pleasing/smooth. If you need more presence, that is what eq is for.
Sean

[kats]

U67 too bright with a tg? Sounds to me like those U67s had their filters modded.

[airmate]

another vote for 1073 and v72!

[recky]

What do you guys think of a Helios Type 69 preamp in this context? I've never heard one before...

Thanks,

Recky

[van Overhalen]

Here is a quote from William Wittman:

U67's are great mics but a bit too brassy (they have that little presence peak) for rooms for my taste.
Love them on a guitar amp though.
On the really brassy sounds, to begin with, (like BRASS , or cymbals and sometimes guitar amps) I tend to like ribbons.
they add some real depth.

Guess Mr. Wittman knows what he is talking about, so maybe you believe him...? (-:

My U67`s are not modified/refurbished.
As you all know the Chandler also has "that little presence peak".
So it is not unlikely that the combination could be too bright in certain situations.

peace

[HDGuru]

U87 + 1073 type (Chandler / Vintech) = sweet vocal frequency goodness.

[kats]

Guess Mr. Wittman knows what he is talking about, so maybe you believe him...? (-:

My U67`s are not modified/refurbished.

Just for the sake of arguing, Wittman is saying he doesn't use the U67 for *room" mics and as far as the brass is concerened I doubt he'd use any Neumann mic considering his choice of a ribbon.

Anyhow, I wouldn't consider a u67 bright compared to any other Neuman LDC they're definately darker than a U87 or U47 if they are unmodded - and that is why alot of guys like them unmodded because it's almost impossible you'd ever run into a sibiliance problem with a U67 and you can eq the high end to taste.

As you all know the Chandler also has "that little presence peak".
So it is not unlikely that the combination could be too bright in certain situations

I can't argue with you here as I have never run a u67 through the TG2. I would add though that the TG presence peak doesn't really come into effect until you run it a little hot at around the 40-50db gain marker in my experience. I actually find the pre on the darker side with the output maxed and the gain set low - it's an interesting pre in that regard.

Mic/pre combinations can be a funny thing though and you are hearing what you're hearing - so I would agree wth you that it's not unlikely under certain situations to be too bright/aggressive.

Since your here, I'm wondering if you can give a bit of a mini review of the u67/tg combo aside from female vocal dissapointment.

[siloo]

EIther 1272 or V72 would be a great choice. Both pres LOVE the U67, bit in very different ways.

[84K]

I love the Pendulum MDP-1 with the U87s and I usually dig the Neve 1272 with the U67s.

[Igotsoul4u]

neve 1081

[Soldier777c]

You guys do not know your mic pres. The Behringer Ultragain Creamsicle Series with the 5k razor-spike modification is the only way to go with a U67 (which is second only to a buttery Marshall Condenser) . . . . .

. . . . sorry, I just got my weekly Musician's Friend wish list catalog . . . . . . . apparently, they can't send it directly to my trash can.

[insomnio]

Originally Posted by Soldier777c

. . . . sorry, I just got my weekly Musician's Friend wish list catalog . . . . . . . apparently, they can't send it directly to my trash can.

Lucky you, I get 3 a week. I wonder how much they've spended just in catalogs for me these last 10 years...

________________
Insomnio

[recky]

Originally Posted by insomnio

Lucky you, I get 3 a week. I wonder how much they've spended just in catalogs for me these last 10 years...

________________
Insomnio

Lucky ewes!!!!! Over here they're offering discerning customers exquisite own-label microphones....

[Musiclab]

u87's are not dark unless they are broken. Recently I used my U87 w the ADL 600
and got a really nice sound

[rr1073]

I have 2 u87's. I have had great results using them with original Focusrite ISA 110's. And Neve 1073's.

[Joel Hamilton]

I really love the 67 with a V76. Just the right amount of "forward" without too much "bad top end." It is more like "the right bright."

Every 67 I have ever used really drives (relative to an 87, 47 or CMV563 that i either own or use a lot) dark, meaning that the frequency response changes drastically with the amplitude of the source. Obviously that is true of many devices, but the 67 does it so very gracefully...

Other pre's I have loved with the 67: 1073 (duh), 1066, 31114, flckinger, and oddly enough, some ADL tube thingy. The one in the grey desk mount box that came out in like '95 or so. For some reason that thing sounded AMAZING for strings in a rock song with the 67...

[pogo]

i use the u67 with a Brent averill 1023 and a lydkraft cl1b and i can highly recommend it.

[tomdarude]

just to be different...

[Storyville]

I find u67s sound good through pretty much anything (anything of quality build at least). My big successes have been:

u67->Pacifica A->Millenia EQ->Millenia Comp

The Pacifica A has lots of clean headroom, which lets me get the signal hot to do a slightly farther vocal capture - super for taming esses - and then the eq lifts up the frequency balance. I actually prefer this because it seems to lift up "air" that actually sounds like space and life, rather than cartooning the overall signal. The comp just rounds things out a bit, 1db to 2db gr.

u67->Neve 5116 (Basically sounds like a 1084)

Just a nice sound, a little more noise than the pacifica, but really nice for a close capture. Seems to sit just right.

u67->Vintage Design mk2

Really flavorful, has that color/vibe thing going in a very "auburn" kind of way. Sorry for the flowery description, but it's hard to put into words. This is my preferred chain on my own voice.

[jmikeperkins]

TAB made Telefunken V76 or V376.

[Greg B]

BAE 1073, Sebatron vmp, or GT Vipre (if you can find one anymore)

I own and use all three depending on the situation. The Sebatron is the warmest of the three and a nice compliment to the U87 on vocals. For acoustic guitar, I use APIs or Millennia more often, but the 1073 works in just about any application.

[geeek]

Classic Neve works really nice with a good 67.

31102, 33114 etc.

[vegasking-pr.]

I have a '76 U87...I have API, Great River, Trident but my favorite vocal pre is my LaChappell 583. Sounds so nice!!!

[Joram]

Another vote for the U67>V76 or 1073. Different flavours, both very convincing. I am curious about the 67>pacifica.