Brauner VM1 vs Neumann M 149

[matucha]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

In general I would say that moving few cm with mics has often much greater effect on sound than using another mic or preamp ... One can save lot of money in this way

Sí, vale, claro, exactamente, seguro... de acuerdo.

[rwhitney]

Despite all the variables, I do think having examples is helpful in these threads. For fun, I eq'd the original Brauner/Fearn example.

[DrC:Drive]

Yes thats better. i will do this with my Fearn EQ in the mix (film music clip. This guitar could have done with some new strings as well which throws another variable into the pot.

James

[rwhitney]

Hey James,

if you wouldn't mind posting a bit of the Fearn-eq'd version, I'd love to hear it. I used a Massive Passive, but I'm very curious to hear the character of the Fearn eq.

Cheers,

Ross

[blaugruen7]

Originally Posted by rwhitney

Hey James,

if you wouldn't mind posting a bit of the Fearn-eq'd version, I'd love to hear it. I used a Massive Passive, but I'm very curious to hear the character of the Fearn eq.

Cheers,

Ross

you can listene here to the fearn and to the great river eq.
http://www.3daudioinc.com/3db/showth...ighlight=fearn

[rwhitney]

Originally Posted by blaugruen7

you can listene here to the fear, and to the great river eq.
http://www.3daudioinc.com/3db/showth...ighlight=fearn

Quite informative--thanks! Wish there was an MP for comparison, though. Also a GML 8200.

[DrC:Drive]

Originally Posted by rwhitney

Hey James,

if you wouldn't mind posting a bit of the Fearn-eq'd version, I'd love to hear it. I used a Massive Passive, but I'm very curious to hear the character of the Fearn eq.

Cheers,

Ross

the3daudio clip is very representative. I will post some clips when I have time.

James

[JohnnyHo]

I have been using a couple of M149's for a few years and have cut a lot of big hits with it, and it sounds good but after trying out a Brauner VM1a when I was working with Collective Soul, I had to have one. Nothing that I have tried sounded the same as the Brauner on AC Guitars. I finally got my Brauner VMA a few weeks ago and I have used it non stop... The first day I got it, the client (R&B singer Joe) was so impressed after a few minutes, he said he needed to get one as well, He said he has a few of the Manley Tube refs and this sounds so much more richer. The 149 starts to sound muddier when you are stacking many tracks of BG vocals. I would advise using a solid state pre as apposed to a tube pre... I've been using a Crane Song Flamingo and once in a while A John Hardy M1... gotta say, I LOVE the Flamingo!!! Awesome, clean, rich mic pre

[Trp]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHo

I have been using a couple of M149's for a few years and have cut a lot of big hits with it, and it sounds good but after trying out a Brauner VM1a when I was working with Collective Soul, I had to have one. Nothing that I have tried sounded the same as the Brauner on AC Guitars. I finally got my Brauner VMA a few weeks ago and I have used it non stop... The first day I got it, the client (R&B singer Joe) was so impressed after a few minutes, he said he needed to get one as well, He said he has a few of the Manley Tube refs and this sounds so much more richer. The 149 starts to sound muddier when you are stacking many tracks of BG vocals. I would advise using a solid state pre as apposed to a tube pre... I've been using a Crane Song Flamingo and once in a while A John Hardy M1... gotta say, I LOVE the Flamingo!!! Awesome, clean, rich mic pre

Are you talking about the VMA-mode exclusevily or do you use it in VM-1-mode, too? If so... when do you use which?

I really like my VM-1 but never had a chance to hear the VMA. What is it like? Are there mics of similar character that come to mind? Thanks!

[trickydicky]

I had the pleasure of using a VM1 with a DW Fearn VT1 on vocals last year. I have to say it was a truly religeous experience. The sound was ASTONISHING. We A/B'd it to a previous vocal take done with a U87 and Avalon 737... The difference was nothing short of mind-bending. VM1 + VT1 was SO upfront, so in your face and about a million times more detailed. It had so much more LIFE. For me, that is the the ONLY vocal chain for just about every male / female lead vocal.

I own an M149 and can definitely sing its praises for most applications.... except lead vocals.... Personally, I'm just not a fan. In fact I've never really liked Neumann's on LV's in general. But IMO, the M149 is amazing on acoustic instruments and for certain BV applications.

Brauner VT1 is definitely on my list of what to buy next!

[JohnnyHo]

Originally Posted by Trp

Are you talking about the VMA-mode exclusevily or do you use it in VM-1-mode, too? If so... when do you use which?

I used it in stetting 2 (VMA Mode) for the male vocal session, silkier highs, a little richer lows, but it still has that Brauner intimacy.

On acoustic guitars, i used setting 1 (VM1a) because thats the sound I knew best, but I really need to try recording them in VMA mode. Its still a new mic so im just putting it through its paces.

I tried recording some female vocals (Monica) in VMA mode, but wound up switching it back to VM1a mode... It was one of those high pressure/paced sessions and I went with first impressions... It wasnt like i didnt like the sound, it's just that I liked the top end with her voice in VM1a mode, although she has a lower voice than most female vocalist and the VMA setting would probably sounded amazing as well

Originally Posted by Trp

I really like my VM-1 but never had a chance to hear the VMA. What is it like? Are there mics of similar character that come to mind? Thanks!

I haven't used too many Vintage mica to A/B it with but it does have that vintage sound, Kind of like an Elam 251... i know there arent too many VMA's out there... Mines #105, but can anyone else help out with this question

[DrC:Drive]

Originally Posted by rwhitney

Hey James,

if you wouldn't mind posting a bit of the Fearn-eq'd version, I'd love to hear it. I used a Massive Passive, but I'm very curious to hear the character of the Fearn eq.

Cheers,

Ross

Here is ther acoustic eqd with VT4, the bass tubbiness is gone and the highs are super sweet boosted at 10k on broad shelf +8, bass cut at 100 +2 a little middle extraction -2 at 500. The rect of the track is my electric (Tom Anderson Drop top through Bad cat amp miked with Brauner VMA through Dw Fearn and Echoboyed some reverse stuff!! This was bounced through Crane Song Hedd and Waves L2. It is only rough and unedited as yet but the character of the guitar comes through

James

[rwhitney]

Many thanks for posting that, James. Sounds beautiful!

From your example, and the other thread, I'm thinking the Fearn is very sweet and harmonically rich, just like the preamp.

By comparison, the Manley Massive Passive seems tighter, more forward, without much of the harmonic enhancement at all. Quite a different sound.

As for the M149 vs the Brauner, I'm thinking the 149 is a lot brighter, incisive, apparently more detailed, whereas the Brauner sounds warmer, darker, softer in detail.

I'd guess that a brighter preamp like the Daking would make the two mics sound closer in character, though it's just a guess.

Very cool of you to share this! thumbsup

[mattcollen]

Originally Posted by squeegybug

Here's a thing I like about the 149 -- it has *depth*. It captures all around the source, and brings back a little larger than life, almost "romantic", sound, but without being all hyped. In my experience it needs some time practicing with patterns, filters, and placement (like all mics of course, but maybe more than some) to get full benefit.

I don't care for dramatic hyped mics, just a solid pleasant tone, so that's where I'm coming from. And no matter where you mention the M149 you will hear the refrain, "but it's not an M49".

I haven't used that SPL preamp, I run the M 149 into Gordons and it does fine.

Steve

Steve,

I agree. I am not sure why people are so quick to dismiss the M149. People seem to love it or hate it.

You are correct, it does take time finding the proper placement and patterns on different sources. When those things are adjusted, it is an awesome mic, one of the best, in my opinion.

I recently did spoken word and singing mic shootouts with male and female vocals. I used a 1986 Neumann U87, Neumann M149, AKG C12, and Gefell UM900. The Gefell UM900 and Neumann M149 were the top two in all four tests. The M149 is one of the best microphones on the market. I would never sell mine.

Compared to many of the old U47s I have listened to, I would select a modern Neumann U87 over them, which is a fraction of the sonic awesomeness of an M149.

The M149 will never be able to cash in on an inflated name like the U47, U67, C12, and so on, but it holds its own and is equal in sonic quality to any LDC I have ever tested.