U87 or M147 for male vocals?

[conguero]

I am trying to add a nice smoothe and silky sounding mic to my collection and at the same time add a bit of eye candy for the clients. Which would you choose for male vocals. (not rock)?

[NathanEldred]

Hmmmm, I'm not sure if I would describe the U87 as smooth and silky. It has it's purpose on the right voice, but doesn't always work. I've been having great luck with an Soundelux IFET7 (in V mode) into a tube Mercury m76 preamp. There are bigger, silkier sounding mics but it looks based on the two Neumann's you are looking at that you within a certain price range. The iFET7 is two different sounding mics in one, the V mode is flatter with more harmonic content, the I mode is generally cleaner and brighter. The sound of this combo is excellent, and it's very versatile where it could work on any genre IMO (provided the voice matches with this setup, but I'm finding most of the time it does). Good Luck.

[De chromium cob]

I'm not a big fan of the M147 (actually I think it sucks for the money). The U87 is a good mic and if I had to choose between the two that would be my pick, but there are mics that are better in its pricerange. I'd normally even go with something like a SM7 over the U87 for most male vocals. My favorites are the U67, C-800 or the 47FET, but they are a bit more pricey....

[syntheticrhyme]

I think you'd be better off with the M147. The u87 can be great on the right vocalist, but more often than not, a little bright and sibilant. The m147 is more verstaile (i have an m149 and i'm totally happy with it)

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by syntheticrhyme

I think you'd be better off with the M147. The u87 can be great on the right vocalist, but more often than not, a little bright and sibilant. The m147 is more verstaile (i have an m149 and i'm totally happy with it)

The M147 and the M149 sound nothing alike.

[conguero]

Much thanx for the replies guys, I just wanted to add that the mics will be going thru either a UA LA-610 with swapped telefunken tubes, or a ISA 220 session pack. I also have a telefunken dual V/672 but since I have no outboard comp or limiter it makes it hard for me to track vocals with.

The vocal I am recording is a ballad/crooner "Clay Aiken"type.

please keep em'comming.

[Ahellam]

u87 if you want that almost nasaly in a good way sound... the m147 for more even warm sound.

[syntheticrhyme]

Originally Posted by De chromium cob

The M147 and the M149 sound nothing alike.

I realize that. Having used all three mics though, i believe the m147 is more versatile compared to a u87. Using the u87 through a tube pre can still be sibilant with many vocalists. The m147 is a safer buy.

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by syntheticrhyme

I realize that. Having used all three mics though, i believe the m147 is more versatile compared to a u87. Using the u87 through a tube pre can still be sibilant with many vocalists. The m147 is a safer buy.

Sorry, I assumed from how the post was worded that you were basing your judgement of the 147 on the sound of the 149. I don't agree that the 147 is a safer buy, but as they say, different strokes for different folks.....

[idee und klang]

I took the U87 if I had to choose between the two, with a good EQ it is possible to get something good out... IMO the 147 is not worth the price, and it does not at all work for me in most situaitions YMMV.
Daniel
www.ideeundklang.com

[Fletcher]

I'd go with a S'delux U-195 long before the iFet-7... and while I'm not a big U-87 fan... they're an excellent "fall back" mic.

Much like a Shure SM-57, an 87 will rarely net you a great sound... but it will also rarely ever suck... and seeing that this game is really about being consistently "upper mediocre" on a regular basis [brilliant on occasion and damn near never sucking] then the 87 is always a good fall back tool.

The U-87A is kind of a different story... but with a nice slow pre-amp you can kinda work one in a very similar manner as you can work a "pre-A" 87.

Whoever was responsible for the M-147 did find a kinda good kik drum mic... but had a hellofa sense of humor if he thought that was going to be good for much else [boxy / brash piece of shit that it is].

Best of luck with your search.

[Audio Hombre]

I have a 74' 87 and a 87ai sounds like a TLM103 compared to it..There is no comparision

[KevWind]

Check out the Brauner Phantom V for a condenser or the Valvet Voice for tube.
both less than the U87 Kevin

[LightningBefore]

I was just going to post a U87 question thread. This helps. I have a TLM103 and can get a U87 for $1,500 flat. Would there be any noticable upgrade besides the polar patterns and db adjustments? I heard that the TLM uses the same dia. as the 87. and after hearing what Audio Hombre had to say. . . makes me wonder?

[Jonathan Starr]

Pearlman, Peluso 251 and Charter Oaks are superb mics on the $1500 range that will work very well for many male vocals. I'm surprised they haven't been mentioned yet.

[Rep]

of those 2 ... I tryed and ended up with the 147,
it worked better with that Voice...


.

[analogjeff]

Recently bought a mid-70's 87 that had been reconditioned by Korby. Bought it after trying Soundelux U99 & iFET7, Pearlman TM1, and a good Neumann 67. Was actually surprised to like the 87 better than the others, as I don't usually like 87's that much. This one through a Chandler TG2 and a Purple MC77 compressor is great, though!! Not really much of a fan of the Soundelux mics having tried them a number of times -- find them pretty ordinary, and not very big. Hmmm -- different tastes. Bottom line, listen to everything you're considering and choose what you like.

[recky]

Originally Posted by analogjeff

Recently bought a mid-70's 87 that had been reconditioned by Korby. Bought it after trying Soundelux U99 & iFET7, Pearlman TM1, and a good Neumann 67. Was actually surprised to like the 87 better than the others, as I don't usually like 87's that much. This one through a Chandler TG2 and a Purple MC77 compressor is great, though!! Not really much of a fan of the Soundelux mics having tried them a number of times -- find them pretty ordinary, and not very big. Hmmm -- different tastes. Bottom line, listen to everything you're considering and choose what you like.

The U87/U87A does have a reputation of being a rather unsexy mic, which is a great shame, really. A well-maintained vintage U87 or a newer Ai through a great, fat preamp makes for an excellent high-end vocal mic. Many, many superb records have been cut with U87s on vocal duties. It's very coloured and, as has been said before (many times), it doesn't work on every voice. Neither does a U47, though.

A U87(Ai) that has been modded to bypass the broadcast low-pass filtering and to obtain more headroom must be one of the best mics out there. I'm just about to get my Ai sexed up - can't wait!

Cheers,

Recky

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by recky

The U87/U87A does have a reputation of being a rather unsexy mic, which is a great shame, really. A well-maintained vintage U87 or a newer Ai through a great, fat preamp makes for an excellent high-end vocal mic. Many, many superb records have been cut with U87s on vocal duties. It's very coloured and, as has been said before (many times), it doesn't work on every voice. Neither does a U47, though.

A U87(Ai) that has been modded to bypass the broadcast low-pass filtering and to obtain more headroom must be one of the best mics out there. I'm just about to get my Ai sexed up - can't wait!

Exactly. I had quite a few mics here to try and none reached the "magic" sound quality of 87Ai. If connected to Pendulum, it is really hard to beat ...
I am also thinking of "sexing up" my U87 by sending it to Klaus Heyne ...

[Audio Hombre]

Originally Posted by LightningBefore

I was just going to post a U87 question thread. This helps. I have a TLM103 and can get a U87 for $1,500 flat. Would there be any noticable upgrade besides the polar patterns and db adjustments? I heard that the TLM uses the same dia. as the 87. and after hearing what Audio Hombre had to say. . . makes me wonder?

My reference to the 87 liken to the 103 is based on the 87ai, not an older 87 or 87a. I love old 87's and find they do many things very well and most stuff ok.

[kats]

My reference to the 87 liken to the 103 is based on the 87ai, not an older 87 or 87a. I love old 87's and find they do many things very well and most stuff ok.

I find most of the old ones sound like shit personally (unless in minty shape) and find the newer ones more consistant - inspite of the crappola headroom. I find both of those mics in the same love/hate catagory. Sometimes you just love them and sometimes you wonder why you don't sell them

Anyhow, you could do worse.

[popmann]

I don't know...I've used a bunch of old 87s....and a bunch of "ai" models. I've personally found the old ones MORE consistent in sound....and subjectively better. I can assure you that I've had 3 rental "ai" models in the last six months, and always get different results. I've had old ones over the course of many years and always get "that sound"--warts and all. FWIW.

It's the opposite of what seems to be the going wisdom here...I see people say the new ones are more accurrate...yet I always think the old ones sound better on (a nice) acoustic--a test of accurracy, IMO. I hear the new ones are brighter...I find them more harsh and strident, yet not as naturally "open" sounding on the top. When I hear them referred to as "boxy"--yeah, the new ones are. I don't get "boxy" from the old ones.

Just goes to show how pointless written descriptions can be.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Audio Hombre

My reference to the 87 liken to the 103 is based on the 87ai, not an older 87 or 87a. I love old 87's and find they do many things very well and most stuff ok.

You cannot compare TLM 103 to U87. TLM 103 has no character and sounds quite "impotent" on anything (comparing to U87). I hapilly got rid of mine some time ago ...

[MIKEHARRIS]

the 147 is a dog...i have never had so many people return/hate a Neumann product
Depite all these folks offering alternatives...some which may be valid...the answer to your question is U87

[Audio Hombre]

you're right. you can't compare a 103 to an 87.in all fairness i was going to add that i was exaggerating but just to make a point. it's all opinions in the end and maybe the guy should borrow or rent one for himself to decide? i mean you have people here saying the like them/love them/slice bread with them and then you get a guy who says they're "shit." RAWFL at that comment.

[Jeff S]

Having both an '74 U87 and a 1 year old 87ai, I find myself using the '74 for vox and acoustic guitar and the 87ai for everything else (when considering an 87 for the task at hand). The '74 has about 6db less gain, FWIW. It seems the 87 has fallen out of vogue as of late, with lots of negative press amongst us "slutz", but I wouldn't be without one. I find it's always worth a shot when auditioning mics for the lead vocals and often it is the choice. I really gotta try the U-195 again as it always gets the big thumbsup in print. I checked one out a year ago or so and ended up spending my $$$$ elsewhere. I *did* use it on a lead vocal that made it to the final CD and stood up well. But as always... YMMV

[LightningBefore]

so i take it i should save my pennies keep my shitty tlm103 until i have enough bones to get myself a ELAM251? thumbsup (then again i dont hear people talking about that mic here like its a holy grail so maybe its a dog too. . .)

[Baz]

wow, what timing on this thread and you mentioning the 147 for F vocs..I start a session tomorrow and the mics we have for vocs are: 76' U87,m147, AT4050, 414b-ULS..the owner of the 14 just said to me " i haven't used this for over a year (sitting in tht choice flight case) and I'd like to try it on the F vocal we have tomorrow" Too funny..


btw, how is this mic on grand piano? I know that overall, peeps hate this mic around here but if anyone has tried it, i'd like to hear about it.

pre's we have for the piano/vocals are a Cranesong Flamingo and an STT-1 Origin.'

[kudzu]

tried 147 on an upright piano, in the middle of the back of it, about a foot away ... GOOD

[Sqye]

not a fan of the 87 in general, unless as oh's for ac. piano or drums -

again, IN GENERAL.

i tend to prefer the sound of the 147.

just my $.02