What about the Neumann U89?

[insomnio]

A long time ago I recorded a complete album with just 2 mics, U87 and U89. The results were surprisingly good. But what amazed me most was the ability the U89 had to capture far sources without losing its resolution. I’ve never worked with the U89 again, but never forgot how nice was working with a mic like that.

I would like to know your opinion of the U89, and if you know something like it or even better for “far micing”.

Thanks:
Insomnio



Ps. Please Fletcher be nice with me, please don’t tell me the U89 is a crappy little piece of @#%&!

[C/G]

Originally Posted by insomnio

Ps. Please Fletcher be nice with me, please don’t tell me the U89 is a crappy little piece of @#%&!

If he does, so what. You liked it. Isn't that what matters?

[84K]

I have used a U89 for distant drum kit micing...

Once, I recorded a 3-piece rock jam with just a U89 in the room, a 57 on the guitar cab, and a 57 on the bass. A greatly successful engineer (who's name will not be revealed) asked me what I had on the kit? He thought it was a great sound. One mic. the U89. It is a very nice mic... people who say that mic sucks are just making excuses for their inability to get good sounds. There is nothing wrong with it.

[echorec]

A pair of U89s was my first good mics. I have gotten many other great mics since then but I still choose them first on many occasions. I like it better than U87 on vocals, great drum overheads, excellent on small string sections etc, etc

[Stick]

I've had a U89 as my only "good" LDC for years. If I need something else I rent it.

Not knowing what tons of other mics sound like, I think the 89 is pretty cool. I've used it on EVERYTHING. Mainly vocals, but often on acoustic guitar, and whatever else comes along.

[insomnio]

Thanks guys!
That's what I thought, that's what I heard.
Do you think there is something else like it? It will not be easy to find one in good shape. From time to time you can find one in Ebay for about $900, but who knows the story of it.

Sometimes I think Fletcher hates all Neumann mics. What I said was a joke. I trust my ears more than anything else, including him, who, by the way, knows much more about gear than me.

Insomnio

[StefanM]

guess I like them...


We use them on vocals, bassdrum outer, room, cello, double bass....
on the other hand I could use U87 for all those...

Stefan

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by insomnio

It will not be easy to find one in good shape.

Especially now.

[chadly]

Originally Posted by max cooper

Especially now.

?


http://www.neumann.com/infopool/mics...hp?ProdID=u89i

They still make them. Is there some change that would make a new one undesirable? (Other then the obvious, "it's more expensive" line)

[jdunn]

A friend of mine has an Audio Upgrades modded U89. It's an excellent sounding mic.

One vocalist who worked with it tried an ELUX 251, but found that it was much easier to harmonize (multitrack vocals) with the modded U89.

[insomnio]

Originally Posted by chadly

http://www.neumann.com/infopool/mics...hp?ProdID=u89i

They still make them. Is there some change that would make a new one undesirable? (Other then the obvious, "it's more expensive" line)

Woa, I didn't know they were still making them. You have a good question there.

Hmm...Anyboby have a new one out there???!!!

Insomnio

[chadly]

I don't think there's been any modification to the U89, though because it's not as popular, there's not as much information floating around.

[insomnio]

Hmm...yeah...might be...

Although I've seen the U89i before, I don't know what the i stands for.

I've never used it for vocals, but I imagine would be really nice for sibilant voices and choir.


I

[jdunn]

There are differences between a U87 and a U87i, but I'm not sure about the 89. With the 87, the original had 4 fets and the new one has 11, or something like that.

Maybe Jim Williams knows.

[echorec]

I think the i just means that it has a XLR connector instead of the old tuchel.

[The Mime]

I find the u89 to be a very clean mic, can seem quite boring sometimes, but still a very capable mic... it's just not very "rock n roll". I think in general it's more suited to classical and jazz music than rock music... imho... etc.

[insomnio]

Originally Posted by borau

i means export version(international?)- usually that meant an xlr instead of tuchel.
Regarding the U89, which I have only used a few times- I felt it was a bit in the middle between a U87 and a TLM170.

Thanks for your opinion. Is impontant for me to know why some people doesn't like it as well.

Really, I thought the TLM170 and the TLM193 were both cheaper versions of the U89.
Then, what is the TLM170?

Insomnio

[Beech]

The TLM 170 is transformerless and a very clean sounding mic. It was introduced in the mid 80's. I can't speak for the 193.

Can anyone recommend a good place to shop for Neumann or Gefell mics in Europe?

[DONNX]

Originally Posted by insomnio

Thanks guys!


Sometimes I think Fletcher hates all Neumann mics. What I said was a joke.

Insomnio

Neumann is the definition of microphone!

[Avening]

A U89 is fantastic on distorted guitar amps as well. A couple inches off the cloth on a nice twin verb or AC30 with the pad on .... just awesome! Can't recommend them enough.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by insomnio

I thought the TLM170 and the TLM193 were both cheaper versions of the U89.
Then, what is the TLM170?

The U 89, TLM 170R and TLM 193 all use the same K89 capsule.

The U 89 has a transformer - the TLM 170 is transformerless. Both have 5-switchable patterns and the frequency response curves are very similar (almost identical at cardioid).

The U 89 and TLM 170R are almost the same price, the TLM 170 being slightly more expensive.

The TLM 193 is pretty-well a cardioid only TLM 170.

[Plush]

May I add that the U89 has no chips in it as the TLM series mics have.
The transformer in the U89 is adding to the sound in a real special way.

The U89 is a fantastic neutral mic. If the source sounds good, the capture will be accurate when using a U89.

With the TLM 170, the U89 is my favorite Neumann.

[mixlrose]

This is an older thread but I thought I'd pop in and offer this audio clip from a live jazz/lounge session I engineered a few years back. The U89 was on the vocal and I think it sounds very nice. It was going into a Neve 1272 and a UREI 1176 limiter before it hit a Pro Tools 192. I guess it isn't the "vibe-iest" sound but I think it really worked for the session. It's warm and present and doesn't sound a boring as a lot of folks say these mics are. It's a good tool and gets the job done!

http://michaelrosas.com/07.mp3

[Stick]

FWIW, I had a chance to put up my U89 with a U87 on a male vocal the other day. Both through an ADL600 with the same settings. On the speakers in a lousy sounding room they were nearly indistinguishable. In some Sony cans, it felt like the 87 had just a touch more hi-mids. I'm guessing it would make more difference on a female vocal, but maybe not. Either way, they were VERY similar in sound.

[hazelmossobrien]

I used to have a U89i and loved it. So flat and smooth, and perfect for acoustic instruments. I sold it for a U87ai. I'm still not sure which one I like better. They are just so totally different. I'd like to have a pair of U89's at some point.

[Jonathan Starr]

U89i is the one mic I leave out all the time, and use it a lot. It's old and beat up, which makes me fearless with it, and it sounds great on so much stuff.

Bass amps, acoustic bass, guitars, harmony vocals, room mic. I generally prefer it to the U87ai. It's less sensitive and very forgiving.