Vintage U87 for voiceover-worth it for 2K?

[VO Boy]

got a shot at a pre-1986 U87 in decent shape for around 2K.

Worth it?---- compared to a newer 87ai for spoken word---considering the possible
repair expense in the (maybe not so distant) future ?

Wondering what you think. Thanks.

[Telefunk]

if it's 2K in €'s, it's bit expensive, if it's $'s, it's pretty ok, if it's really in good condition. Try before you buy.

[VO Boy]

oh yeah this is in dollars. I'm in the US.

[Ward Pike]

yes, it's totally worth that...in $$

[yotonic]

Great mic. Fantastic lows and proximity. Grab it.

[VO Boy]

OR I can get a near-new 87ai for about the same price

[nosebleedaudio]

Originally Posted by VO Boy

OR I can get a near-new 87ai for about the same price

Not the same mic..

[carival]

I have not used the current u87ai, but I have owned two old u87ai mics and two perfect 70's u87i mics for about 20 years. I prefer the older u87ai for voice work. I have many years of experience recording voice overs and spoken word. If it's for your voice only, I would audition everything I could get my hands on.

[VO Boy]

so you like the older 87ai better than the 87i?

[carival]

For voice work. Yes. It is my go to mic for voice work, and I have about 75 microphones.

[VO Boy]

hmmm. ...there's an "older" 87ai on ebay for even a little less than 2K....??!!

any difference between "older" (pre-1991 I guess) 87ais and the more recent ones ?

[voiceactor]

Originally Posted by carival

I have not used the current u87ai, but I have owned two old u87ai mics and two perfect 70's u87i mics for about 20 years. I prefer the older u87ai for voice work. I have many years of experience recording voice overs and spoken word. If it's for your voice only, I would audition everything I could get my hands on.

I will completely agree. Try everything you can get your hands on. The U87ai can be a nice mic but you have to run it through the right pre. What's the right pre...depends on your voice. If you run the ai through a cheap pre it will sound awful.
The best policy though is to try everything you can...then buy what you like. Even if it is more than you wanted to spend. It will be worth it in the end.
Hope that helps. A couple of mics to look at: Lauten Oceanus...just gets better with age...needs a good pre for voice work. Their Clarion is a great mic too. I am hoping to demo the Atlantis here soon and if I do I will post a sample. I'm running a fully modded CL7602...in case you were wondering.

BTW Have Neumann run the serial number for you. That should give some info about the mic. They won't be able to tell you if it has been modded but they can tell you if they have serviced it and it's date of production.

PEACE!

[drbob1970]

For voice-over, I really like the TLM 170R. I definitely prefer it to the U87ai (a recent one) for this application.
Best regards

[VO Boy]

Thanks VoiceActor, I have heard good things about Lauten. Am leaning towards a U87, either pre-1986 or early iteration of the 87ai (pre-1992ish I suppose)

I will be running it through a tube pre, most likely an LA 610 solo.

[VO Boy]

.....or would a Gefell M71/MT71S be a contender for this application...?

[Ward Pike]

In all fairness, if you're only using it for voice-over work, the best Neumann for that application is the TLM 49 which sells for about $1300 - $1600.

[waldie wave]

Don't overlook the preamp. What preamp are you using?

[voiceactor]

Originally Posted by VO Boy

.....or would a Gefell M71/MT71S be a contender for this application...?

Like was said earlier. Try everything you can get your hands on. People can tell you what to buy and it may or may not work. The MT71s is a nice mic. There are many out there for your price range. Rent some studio time, if possible, at a studio where they have a large mic selection. Try as many as you can. Pick out a few that you like and try them at home or your studio. You will be much happier in the long run. I'm still looking for the best mic for my voice. (Probably always will be, but then again I am a true gear slut.) All in all when it comes down to it, properly trained you can sound good on anything....just like a singer...but not every singer...some have it, some don't. Hope that makes sense to you and I wish you the best of luck in your search and endeavors.
If you are just starting out you aren't going to want to spend that kind of money to begin with. Use it to treat your studio and get training and go less on a mic until you are ready to make a demo...I mean really ready...this voice over business is much much harder than many people think. If you are established and doing well..great spend the money..you've earned it.

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

In all fairness, if you're only using it for voice-over work, the best Neumann for that application is the TLM 49 which sells for about $1300 - $1600.

In all fairness, and no disrespect intended, but that statement is tantamount to saying, if you are only using it for singing then just get an SM57a.
There is no one sure fire microphone and pre. For voice over or singing.
Every voice is different. Every microphone is different, every pre is different...There is no one size fits all.
Most voice over work I've heard through the TLM 49 sounds...well let's say much less than stellar. I wanted one until I demoed one. I had to try it with several people to make sure it wasn't just the mic and even asked for another one because I thought the mic was bad. Same result. Could I MAKE it work, yes...but that's not the idea. Like a singer a voice talent needs to be comfortable with what they are using...even inspired by their equipment.
So many people are sold on the RE20 and SM7B's and will recommend them for voice over cause that is what is so prevalent at radio stations. . Radio is not voice over. Will they work? Absolutely. Is there a better solution. Absolutely.
Thanks for hearing me out. I mean no harm or disrespect to your post. I am simply trying to help others understand that mic selection is very personal be it for singing or voice over.
The U87 is a great mic and is often used for voice work...but it's not the only one and not everyone sounds good on one. The TLM 49 may even be perfect for him. One never knows.
There is a good chance when he or another voice talent enter a studio they will at first throw an 87 up...Some studios will put up two different mics and try that. Like singing...it's what works best.
Hope that helps.

PEACE!

[Ward Pike]

There are ways to be contrary minded without being contrary about it.

In comparison between the U87, U87ai, and TLM49, the TLM49 was specifically designed by Neumann and recommended for voice over work.

Having had extensive experience with all 3 in this actual application, I concur with Neumann's own suggestion.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by VO Boy

.....or would a Gefell M71/MT71S be a contender for this application...?

I have a vintage 87, and it only gets occasional use ever since I got a pair of UMT70s's. The Neumann is a nice mic, for sure, but there's nothing quite like that M7 presence. And the Gefell is much, much quieter. Best all-around mics in my collection.

[cinealta]

If you get a vintage U87, try and get one for approx $1,500 because you'll likely have to put a few hundred into it (capsule cleaning etc).

[ssprod19]

Originally Posted by cinealta

If you get a vintage U87, try and get one for approx $1,500 because you'll likely have to put a few hundred into it (capsule cleaning etc).

that would be like finding a needle in a haystack, and who knows how long it would take to find such a deal. I suppose if you have the time, go for it. Otherwise, just make sure you're buying it from a trustworthy person and ask about service history. Sometimes, you will find one with a new capsule... or at the least, cleaned / re-skinned, which is not a bad thing

[Dayo]

I stupidly sold my vintage U87 6 or 7 years ago and regretted ever since. Last year I managed to replace it with a nice one from 1979. Feels like coming home. First choice for anything long form and especially nice with a Fearn VT1 pre.

Of course I maye have to spend some money on it sometime, but long term it'll hold it's value and - speaking for myself - there is no other mic I have such an emotional connection with.

[VO Boy]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

I have a vintage 87, and it only gets occasional use ever since I got a pair of UMT70s's. The Neumann is a nice mic, for sure, but there's nothing quite like that M7 presence. And the Gefell is much, much quieter. Best all-around mics in my collection.

Going Gefell would definitely be cheaper, esp an MT71S.

I have heard they can be a little thin, but have never tried one with my voice. Also there's the
ubiquitous notoriety of the U87 to consider.....a mic that most engineers
will instantly recognize and be familiar with.

[Telefunk]

Although i have access to U47's, U67's and C12's I still pick my '76 U87 on many occasions. Modern U87Ai have tended to be a disappointing mics, bit harsh and overbright.

You can still get them for 1500€ very easily. But whatever you do, dont buy it if you dont have a chance to test it and compare it with something you know.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by VO Boy

Going Gefell would definitely be cheaper, esp an MT71S.

I have heard they can be a little thin, but have never tried one with my voice. Also there's the
ubiquitous notoriety of the U87 to consider.....a mic that most engineers
will instantly recognize and be familiar with.

The Gefell is a little thinner than the U-87 at the same distance, but the proximity effect can be worked. The U-87 recognition factor is undeniable, if that's a factor for your marketing situation.

[VoxPro]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

The Gefell is a little thinner than the U-87 at the same distance, but the proximity effect can be worked. The U-87 recognition factor is undeniable, if that's a factor for your marketing situation.

I recommend you a CAD E-350 (discontinued) a killer mic for VO work. I own one ....GREAT for voice-over work with some EQ!

I own several top notch mics for spoken word recording including a CAD E-350.

Check the post about this mic.

[Chris Wilson]

If I were in this position, the major consideration would be recording other established VO talent. If you ask a 'pro' what microphone he/she would like to use, the response is almost always a U87 or a 416. Owning those two microphones is just the cost of being in business.

[8inthemorning]

Originally Posted by VO Boy

OR I can get a near-new 87ai for about the same price

The vintage is a workhorse!

[MrMeek]

i have a U87 from 1973, for spoken vocals, i say go for it.