U87 alternatives?

dj_who · 5th July 2005

I tried out a u87 ai and realized that is the mic for me. but I can't afford one (yet)

are there any mics that will get me in the neighborhood of that sound for $1000 to $1400?

BTW, I do brit rock type stuff.

thanks

Shaman · 5th July 2005

TLM 193 if you want a new one. Cardioid only.

You´ll get used u-87s (vintage ones - not ai...) for around 1000 € on e-bay.

DivineMusic · 5th July 2005

have you checked out the akg 414?
personally i like it on vocals over the u87.. even vintage ones.
the SOUNDELUX iFET 7 might be a mic you wanna look into...

seb37000 · 5th July 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaman

TLM 193 if you want a new one. Cardioid only.

You´ll get used u-87s (vintage ones - not ai...) for around 1000 € on e-bay.

I'm sorry but the tlm193 is not like the u87 its more like a u89 with out the transformer and cardioid.

dj_who · 5th July 2005

I would love to get the ifet7. (insert drooling picture here)

but its out of my price range. the most i could possibly afford would be $1400.

and thats wihtout eating for a few months.

I would prefer around a grand.

BTW, I'm scared to make such a large pruchase on ebay since I wouldn't be able to return the mic if theres something wrong. although I did buy a oktava mk-319 and am very happy but that was 45 bucks.

Lanstar Zero · 5th July 2005

For a grand, you could try a Soundelux U195?...

dj_who · 5th July 2005

I liked the 414 alot. its on my list.

but I really like the u87. it seemed to fit my voice best.

dj_who · 5th July 2005

the u195 is definitely on my short list. I'm going to try to rent it to see if its for me.

any opinions on the tlm103 or the tlm127?

Gregg Sartiano · 5th July 2005

If you're in L.A., get a 414, TLM 103, or something in the same price range (for everyday tracking), and then just rent the U87 for $30 a day from LAFX when you feel like you need it. In fact, most rental companies do the '4-day week' billing -- i.e.: it's cheaper if you rent it for multiple days.

Giganova · 5th July 2005

For a grand I would recommend a Gefell M930. Very innovative, hand-built and great sounding mic. It comes from the company which is the actual Neumann (unlike Neumann, which is more like Sennheiser these days since they bought them).

De chromium cob · 5th July 2005

Some others not yet mentioned that are in the same ballpark-
Sony C-38b (2 pattern LDC) / C-48 (3 pattern LDC)
Beyer Dynamic MC740 (5 pattern LDC)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj who

any opinions on the tlm103 or the tlm127?

Sold mine- I dont really like the transformerless Neumanns all that much- I think the above mics blow them away....

dj_who · 5th July 2005

thats a good idea, of renting the u87 and maybe owning a tlm103 or u195 or 414

that said, that gefell looks really sweet.

too many sweet mics!! can't think straight!!

wallace · 5th July 2005

Has anybody compared the ifet7 (V mode) to the U87? How close are they? What about the Fet 47 compared to the Ifet7 (I mode)?

C/G · 5th July 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giganova

For a grand I would recommend a Gefell M930. Very innovative, hand-built and great sounding mic. It comes from the company which is the actual Neumann (unlike Neumann, which is more like Sennheiser these days since they bought them).

Used Gefell UM70s (transformer version) used around $700 US. On ebay once in a while. Very nice mic, multi pattern with M7 capsule. Great mics.

Loud Neighbor · 6th July 2005

I've got an iFet7 and a U89 (5 patterns, handles up to 134db, otherwise "similar" to the U87) and when in "V" mode, the iFet7 doesn't sound as "transparent" in the higher freq's - there's an odd 5K - 6K sibilance that it adds that the U89 doesn't have, although it's definitely a bright sounding mic as well. When compared to friend's Fet47's, the iFet7 in "I" mode is quite similar - I love it on kick drum (far enough away and with a pop filter) and bass amps, but my favorite use for it is on a floor tom. So, I don't know if it's a good U87 alternative, but it's a much cheaper alternative to the Fet47.

Martian · 6th July 2005

I own an ifet7 and have directly compared it to a u87. The ifet held up pretty well but didn't quite have the same smooth roundness that the u87 had. That comparison was made on a guitar amp (Mesa single rectifier set to clean), didn't get round to trying on Vox. For the record was using API 312 pres.
Still I love the ifet so damn versitile. thumbsup

maskedman72 · 6th July 2005

cant you get a used u87 for 1400 off of ebay?

otherwise soundelux u-195

wallace · 6th July 2005

Is the U87 as dark as the IFet7? What are the sources that you guys like it for, other than bass, kick, toms, and vocals? Has anybody modified it at all?

I like it on vocals (V mode) a lot through the right preamp, and with some EQ. It has a sort of colored sound to it, but I kind of like it. It sounds good on acoustic guitar, but I've ended up using other things.

DAWgEAR · 6th July 2005

You can read my impressions of the U87ai and the ifet7 (and the Kiwi) toward the bottom of this thread: http://www.3daudioinc.com/cgi-bin/ul...c&f=1&t=001298

Basically, I found the ifet7 beefier in the low mids and smoother and creamier on top in V mode compared to the U87ai.

I liked the ifet7 so much I ended up purchasing one.

If you shop, you can get an ifet7 for under $1600.

six_wax · 6th July 2005

I love both 414s [!] and U89s... but neither of them imo has similar character --especially on vocals-- to a U87..

Any sleeper LDCs that will fill that void? Especially reasonably priced ones?

Musiclab · 6th July 2005

The Soundelux U195 has a different sound in the mids than the U87. Although it
has a real nice character especially with the fat switch on. I would recommend you check out the Peluso 2247. I have a U87 and a U195 and the Peluso routinely beats out both.

the1Hub · 6th July 2005

used blue kiwi aprox. 1200 off ebay

NathanEldred · 6th July 2005

Used iFET7. This mic rocks for male voxs in V mode.

kats · 7th July 2005

I just finished a/bing the ifet7 with the TLM 127. On vocals it was no contest really - the ifet7 just had much fuller sound (V mode), and really enhanced the timber of the voice.

Comparing it in "I" mode to the 127 the mics were closer in performance. I don't think you an go wrong with either mic, but I preffered the ifet as I felt it had more depth and more verstility.

5th July 2005	#1
dj_who Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: PA, USA Posts: 582 Thread Starter	U87 alternatives? I tried out a u87 ai and realized that is the mic for me. but I can't afford one (yet) are there any mics that will get me in the neighborhood of that sound for $1000 to $1400? BTW, I do brit rock type stuff. thanks

5th July 2005	#9
Gregg Sartiano Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 1,804	If you're in L.A., get a 414, TLM 103, or something in the same price range (for everyday tracking), and then just rent the U87 for $30 a day from LAFX when you feel like you need it. In fact, most rental companies do the '4-day week' billing -- i.e.: it's cheaper if you rent it for multiple days. __________________ "We need to legitimize peer-to-peer sharing as a business model, because it's already a business. If [the P2P companies] are going to make money on us, we should have a chance to make money along with them." -- Perry Farrell on the failure of national intellectual property policy to keep up with the rapid evolution of online media "Every Internet transmission of a musical work constitutes a public performance of that work. " http://www.ascap.com/weblicense/webfaq.html

6th July 2005	#15
Loud Neighbor Gear Head Joined: May 2005 Location: Village of Halfway, MI Posts: 38	I've got an iFet7 and a U89 (5 patterns, handles up to 134db, otherwise "similar" to the U87) and when in "V" mode, the iFet7 doesn't sound as "transparent" in the higher freq's - there's an odd 5K - 6K sibilance that it adds that the U89 doesn't have, although it's definitely a bright sounding mic as well. When compared to friend's Fet47's, the iFet7 in "I" mode is quite similar - I love it on kick drum (far enough away and with a pop filter) and bass amps, but my favorite use for it is on a floor tom. So, I don't know if it's a good U87 alternative, but it's a much cheaper alternative to the Fet47. __________________ "Sounds like the usual" -Uncle Bill

6th July 2005	#17
maskedman72 Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 1,456	cant you get a used u87 for 1400 off of ebay? otherwise soundelux u-195 __________________ www.myspace.com/blackfeatherstudios www.tempermillstudios.com

6th July 2005	#21
Musiclab Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Elmont NY Posts: 6,278 3 Reviews written	The Soundelux U195 has a different sound in the mids than the U87. Although it has a real nice character especially with the fat switch on. I would recommend you check out the Peluso 2247. I have a U87 and a U195 and the Peluso routinely beats out both. __________________ Lou Gimenez www.musiclabnyc.com

5th July 2005	#2
Shaman Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,695	TLM 193 if you want a new one. Cardioid only. You´ll get used u-87s (vintage ones - not ai...) for around 1000 € on e-bay.

5th July 2005	#3
DivineMusic Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Hotlanta Posts: 2,120	have you checked out the akg 414? personally i like it on vocals over the u87.. even vintage ones. the SOUNDELUX iFET 7 might be a mic you wanna look into...

5th July 2005	#6
Lanstar Zero Gear nut Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 123	For a grand, you could try a Soundelux U195?...

5th July 2005	#7
dj_who Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: PA, USA Posts: 582 Thread Starter	I liked the 414 alot. its on my list. but I really like the u87. it seemed to fit my voice best.

5th July 2005	#10
Giganova Gear nut Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 129	For a grand I would recommend a Gefell M930. Very innovative, hand-built and great sounding mic. It comes from the company which is the actual Neumann (unlike Neumann, which is more like Sennheiser these days since they bought them).

5th July 2005	#13
wallace Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,086	Has anybody compared the ifet7 (V mode) to the U87? How close are they? What about the Fet 47 compared to the Ifet7 (I mode)?

6th July 2005	#16
Martian Gear interested Joined: Mar 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 26	I own an ifet7 and have directly compared it to a u87. The ifet held up pretty well but didn't quite have the same smooth roundness that the u87 had. That comparison was made on a guitar amp (Mesa single rectifier set to clean), didn't get round to trying on Vox. For the record was using API 312 pres. Still I love the ifet so damn versitile. thumbsup

6th July 2005	#19
DAWgEAR Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,174	You can read my impressions of the U87ai and the ifet7 (and the Kiwi) toward the bottom of this thread: http://www.3daudioinc.com/cgi-bin/ul...c&f=1&t=001298 Basically, I found the ifet7 beefier in the low mids and smoother and creamier on top in V mode compared to the U87ai. I liked the ifet7 so much I ended up purchasing one. If you shop, you can get an ifet7 for under $1600.

6th July 2005	#20
six_wax Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,102	I love both 414s [!] and U89s... but neither of them imo has similar character --especially on vocals-- to a U87.. Any sleeper LDCs that will fill that void? Especially reasonably priced ones?

6th July 2005	#22
the1Hub Gear addict Joined: Feb 2005 Location: where there are blue skies 315 days a year Posts: 460	used blue kiwi aprox. 1200 off ebay

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6th July 2005	#23
NathanEldred Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,242	Used iFET7. This mic rocks for male voxs in V mode.

7th July 2005	#24
kats Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Posts: 3,685	I just finished a/bing the ifet7 with the TLM 127. On vocals it was no contest really - the ifet7 just had much fuller sound (V mode), and really enhanced the timber of the voice. Comparing it in "I" mode to the 127 the mics were closer in performance. I don't think you an go wrong with either mic, but I preffered the ifet as I felt it had more depth and more verstility.