Preamp for u87ai

[turk sanchez]

...if you but one of those, you'll need a new/better mic next to go w/those pres.

[phillipc421]

You don't think the u87ai is good enough?

[waldie wave]

While not a 500 series, the Buzz Audio MA2.2 is a perfect match for the U87ai. Tim Farrant from Buzz Audio told me he developed that micpre with a U87 and TLM 170. Buzz Audio make a 500 series micpre. Tim can advise you how his 500 series preamps compare to the MA2.2 and would sound with a U87ai. I have an MA2.2 and am very pleased with the sound captured by U87ais.

[nbrecording]

Originally Posted by turk sanchez

...if you but one of those, you'll need a new/better mic next to go w/those pres.

No...... he'll need an Inner Tube Audi retro fit kit.

[bwindsor]

Been using my U87ai lately with an A Designs MP2A....love it.....have to be careful not to hit it too hard though, unless you want that "vocal digging in to the tube" sound

[djp]

To me, and to a lot of others, the 87 has a mid range bit that could be irritating. I found that when I put it through an Avedis MA5 and API 525 - it sounds magical. Great front end for vocals. But that's just my opinion.
Dan

[Retinal]

The SH is nice with the U87, the Chandler (LTD-1) is even better
The SH it versatile given its 3 options, the discrete setting works
very well when the voice is a bit piercing.
The Chandler has more weight and color, plus the eq which is killer

[GREENFENDR]

I'd get a neve flavored box, (Great River, Vintech, etc..) If this is your first good chain then it's tough to beat a u87=>Neve chain circuit. which has been used on millions of recordings.

Actually the new Rupert Neve Designs mic pre sounds pretty amazing, somehow pristine and warm at the same time, plus it has a very usable compressor circuit built in.

[vintagelove]

Honestly, the Innertube audio tube 87 insert (with a good tele tube) will do more for your sound than a rack full of neve preamps. It is shockingly good.

Many who have heard it, listened to a stock tube. The mic is severely sensitive to tube choice. It's good with a stock tube, real nice with a decent tube. With a great one you will need new underwear.

[turk sanchez]

Originally Posted by phillipc421

You don't think the u87ai is good enough?

Ha, sorry, man. I was just trying to make a joke

Honestly, have has access to a matched pair of those mics for 10 years at a studio a work at sometimes...not a fan of them really.

[shobud]

Originally Posted by bwindsor

Been using my U87ai lately with an A Designs MP2A....love it.....have to be careful not to hit it too hard though, unless you want that "vocal digging in to the tube" sound

Ha! was just going to say that! Maybe we know each other?? Not too many MP2A's on Ottawa I would imagine?

Dan

[_Ludovico]

Try to find something that does not emphasize high mids, and stay away from more aggressive stuff like API. If a u87ai was all I could get, I'd try getting the fattest and darkest preamp I could. Maybe a Chandler Germanium to gain some balls which the u87ai does not have and to tame that high mid party up there on the third floor of frequencies.

Vintech would be good as well, or any in that area of sound...the x73i with the EQ could be a great choice.

Acording to Michael Wagener the LAchapell preamp+eq has a very sweet top, and the EQ could help a bit to calm down the u87ai. It could be a solution but you'd have to try yourself.

*note i'm speaking for my voice. Singing in a u87ai for me is almost like singing in a megaphone.

[Ryan Gregory]

Originally Posted by bwindsor

Been using my U87ai lately with an A Designs MP2A....love it.....have to be careful not to hit it too hard though, unless you want that "vocal digging in to the tube" sound

I've run into the same issue with u87ai -----> la610

[bwindsor]

Originally Posted by shobud

Ha! was just going to say that! Maybe we know each other?? Not too many MP2A's on Ottawa I would imagine?

Dan

Dan,

Maybe a couple or few kicking around the area, but not "run-of-the-mill" pre's in the area I'm guessing !! Are you in the city ? I'm about 45 minutes south.

[phillipc421]

What about a retro PowerStrip?

[nbrecording]

Originally Posted by vintagelove

Honestly, the Innertube audio tube 87 insert (with a good tele tube) will do more for your sound than a rack full of neve preamps. It is shockingly good.

Many who have heard it, listened to a stock tube. The mic is severely sensitive to tube choice. It's good with a stock tube, real nice with a decent tube. With a great one you will need new underwear.

Very very true!
I actually have a Valvo in mine now, it was much quieter than the Telefunken in my experience.

[shobud]

Originally Posted by bwindsor

Dan,

Maybe a couple or few kicking around the area, but not "run-of-the-mill" pre's in the area I'm guessing !! Are you in the city ? I'm about 45 minutes south.

Yep, in the big city :-)
I'll PM ya...

[GuitarProdman]

This might seem crazy but a chepaer preamp, UA710, worked better than some more expensives ones in our studio... Try it if you have one.

[Deviated]

How about a Vintech?

[Andrew Kinsey]

Originally Posted by GREENFENDR

I'd get a neve flavored box, (Great River, Vintech, etc..) If this is your first good chain then it's tough to beat a u87=>Neve chain circuit. which has been used on millions of recordings.

I totally agree, it would very difficult not to like the U87 going into either the GR or Vintech modules.

[SoZo]

Originally Posted by Andrew Kinsey

I totally agree, it would very difficult not to like the U87 going into either the GR or Vintech modules.

Well I have lots of GR NV's and an 87ai and it works alot but its not a perfect match for everyone but sick great on others...


If you annunciate s alot you need to be "very" careful of mic placement with this combo. Other then that I see no negitives or use a u47 instead..

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by phillipc421

What about a retro PowerStrip?

KING KONG....top of the empire state. Da way up, high end.

Taken your girl for a lift, with a 10,000 LB gorilla hand, and a fresh bed of roses.

[beef]

Its great with vintech 1272 preamp

[Tomiboy]

Originally Posted by _Ludovico

Try to find something that does not emphasize high mids, and stay away from more aggressive stuff like API. If a u87ai was all I could get, I'd try getting the fattest and darkest preamp I could. Maybe a Chandler Germanium to gain some balls which the u87ai does not have and to tame that high mid party up there on the third floor of frequencies.

Vintech would be good as well, or any in that area of sound...the x73i with the EQ could be a great choice.

Acording to Michael Wagener the LAchapell preamp+eq has a very sweet top, and the EQ could help a bit to calm down the u87ai. It could be a solution but you'd have to try yourself.

*note i'm speaking for my voice. Singing in a u87ai for me is almost like singing in a megaphone.

I have to agree here, the last thing you want to do is emphasize the upper mids with an 87 and the Vintech is a perfect companion pre. I am actually not a big fan of 87's as I find them a bit honky and brittle. I would look at swapping it out for something a little more balanced when you start gritting your teeth from the upper mids and highs. Try a TLM67 with the vintech and you will here what I mean. The 87 has it's place, but sometimes it's just not the right mic for the job.

[Tomiboy]

Originally Posted by phillipc421

These are all 500 series. Unless you recommend something else.

I'm torn between the great river
The shadowhills and the chandler.

Then maybe some compressors? But I'm not sure on which to go with.

JLM LA500 is yummy, try it and you will be sold for sure.

[Johnny Paez]

I have the U87 and shadowhills, and I am so happy, this couple works so good with a lot of instruments, this couple ROCKS!

[asiandude]

Vintech 573 or AML1073 from classic api site.

[dbjp]

The king of the 500 series preamps when paired with a u87 for me was by far the LaChapell 583e.
Never liked the u87 with its harshness but it sounded like a different mic through that preamp.
Wonderful combination.

[D Brody]

Between my studio options of GR NV, Pacifica and Drawmer 1960, I've had the best vocals luck with 87ai and Drawmer. Not the most popular pre on GS, but, I can't argue with the combo for a listenable tone. Could it be the filtered, tubey slow transient mush?