shocking mic comparision

  • Thread starter Thread starter Walter Tore
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Walter Tore

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Hi All: I was in a university recording class studio yesterday and got to plug in my universal audio solo 610 preamp to a nueman U87 mic. I have been wanting to try this combo for a long time. Here are 2 song clips of solo harp and vocals with the 610, one done with the U87 and one with the NT1A. These are raw tracks with no eq and the preamp was set the same for both. The only thing I added was a hint of plate reverb. Can you pick the U87, which only costs about 3k more than the NT1A :lol: Walter

Mystery mic #1

Mystery mic #2

songs at link below

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=71994638
 
Do you attribute the buzzing hum in #1 to the mic, or to something else in the signal chain?
 
antichef said:
Do you attribute the buzzing hum in #1 to the mic, or to something else in the signal chain?
Click to expand...

bad ground connection on the plug outlet. I recorded that mic, which all have guessed correct to be the U87, at a local college recording studio. They had bad ground connections on the wall outlets. The guitar amp buzzed too. This was my first time actually being able to compare a U87 to anything. I was suprised how little difference you get for 3k. I would like to buy one someday, but for now my mics will suffice. walter
 
I thought it was very close in sound, and I would truly be happy with the Rode! It's a keeper!

The only giveaway for me was in the upper end. I noticed it got a little "spitty" and was reflected inside the reverb. Easily tamed with a bit of EQ. The Neumann mics are really smooth in the upper frequencies. (Well, most are.)

It was really close and you're right, the $3k difference is hard to justify unless you've got that kind of money to throw around.
 
wow, i love it when people do these tests.. Oh how i miss being able to record wit the U87 *sigh*
 
lyricalcharms said:
wow, i love it when people do these tests.. Oh how i miss being able to record wit the U87 *sigh*
Click to expand...

On the plus side, it gives you some cool ideas to try out when you don't have access to the more expensive mic!
 
The difference is not subtle to me. I much prefer mic #1, but, I could make either mic work if I was forced to. I'm sure #1 is the U87. It's got the smokey lower mid's I've come to know and love.........
 
I'm looking at a couple on eBay right now that are a steal!

Maybe I should be looking at the preamp though.

I've got enough mics.:D
 
The true difference in higher end gear will never be that evident in a one to one comparison. Its when you began to get a large track count and start your mix that things either gel easily or you wind up 'fixing' things that should have been in order at tracking.

There are very few mics in the lower price range that sound as complete sonically as a well tuned up Neumann. And even fewer that will take kindly to EQ.

Its a better test of the preamp in this case than the mics themselves.
 
#1 is the U87. I was in a university recording studio yesterday and was able to plug the U87 into my solo 610. I did the NT1A when I got home. My regular vocal/harp mic preamp setup is a beydynamic M500 and a Altec Lansing 1592A. The 1592A started shorting out last week and I have sent it out to get fixed. So, I have been challenged to figure a new mic set up till it gets back. The M500 ribbon needs a lot of gain and output with 610 to get up to level. I am going to try it using less gain and just push up the output on my headphones. I also have a C414 and have been trying that one with the 610. The 610 is brand new to me as well as 2 UAD cards, so between this, and all these mic choices I am having to spend a lot of time trying things. I guess I just got lucky with my altec set up. That was a hit IMO right off. The 414 and M500 are requiring a lot more tweaking. The NT1A came out of the gate sounding a lot better with no tweaking. I spend most of my time recording and this experience has been a blessing in disguise. I am being forced to mess with my gear for the first time. Like said above with the gel factor, I am not satified with the NT1A when it mixes into the other instruments. Thanks! Walter
 
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