U67 preamp suggestions

[SHIRK]

Yesterday I recorded a VO with my u67 running into a Shadow Hills GAMA preamp (Iron) followed by an API 5500 (-1db@240) and a Urei LA3A (1-3db of GR). Everyone in the room loved the sound. Even the actor (union) commented on it when he listened back. Used the same chain last week with a different union actor and he was really floored by it as well.

I do a fair amount of VO work between music gigs and I absolutely love the sound of the U67 for VO compared to the U87 (vintage) that I'd been using for years.

[pethenis]

Do the talents have to get really close to the U67 in order to get "the" sound? I see people singing into them really close, but talents need to read at the same time... Nice studio you have there Shirk!

[SHIRK]

No, While you can certainly get right up on the mic for some added proximity effect, I think the most natural and useful tone comes from placing the talent about 10" or more off the mic. At this distance, the recorded voice sounds very natural and not to hyped or bright. Of course a lot depends on the talent an how they project. A friend of mine and I always comment on what good "reach" mics of this calibre have.

Hope that helps.

[ilovesound]

I get beautiful results with my U67 into a vintage 1073 > CL1B > Vintage NEve 33609 > Burl Mothership.

My mic capsule was recently re-skinned by Doug Walker.

[nickelironsteel]

ALBISWERK 502, they use Neumann BV22, they blend in perfectly with U67

[legato]

No, While you can certainly get right up on the mic for some added proximity effect, I think the most natural and useful tone comes from placing the talent about 10" or more off the mic.

That seems far-ish, especially for a U67.

But every situation is different and the proof is in the pudding.



Henk

[Emwolb]

Originally Posted by pethenis

Have the opportunity to buy a good U67, just wondering what would be a good pre for it. I'm in post and will be using it for VO's mostly. Only preamps I have at the moment are a UA solo 110 and a 610. Thanks

Both those pres will be fine for VO. You can spend more money but its a move sideways- nobodys gonna complain.

And while the 67 is a great mic for everything, thats some $6000+ overkill for VO.

Im not saying it won't sound GREAT... Im just saying its like driving a Ferrari to the grocery store.

For reference I run the VO room at our studio and we have big name clients for TV, radio, book recordings, corporate etc. Not a single project ever required me to pull a U67 from studio A for a VO.

BUT if you make that kind of cash on VO- you won't be unhappy with that mic. I really wouldn't worry about a new preamp unless you want one for fun or general sluttiness...

[Aisle 6]

Any preamp will be fine with the U67. Although darker sounding pre's may not be as favourable. I quite often use my Aurora Audio GTQ2MKIII (1073) but an ISA220 or an Auditronics 501 or console pres also work well.

[pethenis]

Originally Posted by Emwolb

Both those pres will be fine for VO. You can spend more money but its a move sideways- nobodys gonna complain.

And while the 67 is a great mic for everything, thats some $6000+ overkill for VO.

Im not saying it won't sound GREAT... Im just saying its like driving a Ferrari to the grocery store.

For reference I run the VO room at our studio and we have big name clients for TV, radio, book recordings, corporate etc. Not a single project ever required me to pull a U67 from studio A for a VO.

BUT if you make that kind of cash on VO- you won't be unhappy with that mic. I really wouldn't worry about a new preamp unless you want one for fun or general sluttiness...

Ah, forgot to mention; if the 67 checks out well with my tech, it's a killer deal... That's one of the reasons. At the moment I use a Brauner Phantom C for VO and it's fine actually, but I crave for that Neumann sound, a certain crunch in the mids for lack of better words

[skybluerental]

my U67 has sounded great through every pre amp i have tried with it.

those include: Classic API VP26, API 3124, BAE 1073, Studer 269, Avedis MA5, Daking, John Hardy M1, Amek Bullet, Amek Angela................

it also sounds quite good plugged straight into a Urei LA 3A or LA 2A.
no pre amp.

a U67 in proper working order is a fabulous mic.

[skybluerental]

Originally Posted by SHIRK

Yesterday I recorded a VO with my u67 running into a Shadow Hills GAMA preamp (Iron) followed by an API 5500 (-1db@240) and a Urei LA3A (1-3db of GR). Everyone in the room loved the sound. Even the actor (union) commented on it when he listened back. Used the same chain last week with a different union actor and he was really floored by it as well.

I do a fair amount of VO work between music gigs and I absolutely love the sound of the U67 for VO compared to the U87 (vintage) that I'd been using for years.

i think this is the same chain we used for tracking E GTR on a session recently isnt it?

sounded GREAT as i recall!

[jeffsochor]

If it's mostly for VO, my experience is that quieter pres are better. 67 will have all the color you want, try a GML pre and skip any EQ or comp. But if it's in good order, it's gonna sound frickin' great through anything.

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by skybluerental

my U67 has sounded great through every pre amp i have tried with it.

those include: Classic API VP26, API 3124, BAE 1073, Studer 269, Avedis MA5, Daking, John Hardy M1, Amek Bullet, Amek Angela................

it also sounds quite good plugged straight into a Urei LA 3A or LA 2A.
no pre amp.

a U67 in proper working order is a fabulous mic.

+1!
I'd suggest a BAE 10xx series or an MA5, or if you want something clean go with a Forssell or an Hardy (or a Studer 169/269), you can't do much better than that IMO..



Cheu

[legato]

Don't want to sound like a broken record, but I pair mine with a Gordon.
What I get is U67 sound, pure and to the absolute max.

No sauce on this one, thank you.




Henk

[legato]

But somehow I see it more as a singer's mike (and yes, a costly one at that).
As compared to e.g. a U87, it's more um...........................................
......................er......................well.......yeah... legato!





Henk

[Axelrod]

Originally Posted by ilovesound

I get beautiful results with my U67 into a vintage 1073 > CL1B > Vintage NEve 33609 > Burl Mothership.

My mic capsule was recently re-skinned by Doug Walker.

yeah, i'll bet you do

[pethenis]

Originally Posted by legato

But somehow I see it more as a singer's mike (and yes, a costly one at that).
As compared to e.g. a U87, it's more um...........................................
......................er......................well.......yeah... legato!

Henk

I actually like legato ;-) in my guitar playing, that is... Henk.. sounds kind of Dutch, are you in my neighborhood A'dam?

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Aisle 6

Any preamp will be fine with the U67. Although darker sounding pre's may not be as favourable. I quite often use my Aurora Audio GTQ2MKIII (1073) but an ISA220 or an Auditronics 501 or console pres also work well.

Originally Posted by cheu78

+1!
I'd suggest a BAE 10xx series or an MA5, or if you want something clean go with a Forssell or an Hardy (or a Studer 169/269), you can't do much better than that IMO..

I agree with the above... Always loved a good U67 in combination with that Neve-ish flavor.

But, I would suggest concentrating your efforts on getting the mic evaluated... and knowing what you are buying. There are so many U67's which have been butchered over the years.

[Remy Leloup]

Stellar results with a phoenix audio DRS 2

[pethenis]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

But, I would suggest concentrating your efforts on getting the mic evaluated... and knowing what you are buying. There are so many U67's which have been butchered over the years.

Thanks for the input all. Got it checked out today and it was near mint, early serial The only thing I was advised was to recap the PS, which I'm going to do ASAP. Can't wait!

[legato]

Henk.. sounds kind of Dutch

Yes it does, doesn't it?

are you in my neighborhood A'dam?

From a Dutch perspective, no.
But this is a small country, so in a way, yes.

Anyway, totally off-topic. Carry on.



Henk