Best preamp for a Neumann U87 Ai?

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LucianX

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Hi I'm new around here, so hello to everyone.

I've just upgraded my mic set up from a Rode NT1 with a Presonus tubepre to a Neumann U87 with a Solo 610.

I liked the sound I was getting with my Rode NT1/tube pre and was hoping to keep the same tube warmess to with my new set up with an improvement in quality and clarity. The U87 sounds great straight into my Focusrite LE Saffire, but, well, there no other way to say it, other than sounds pretty awful through the Solo 610, a little muddy and not same warmth I was getting from my little tube pre.

I'm gonna try and take it back, any suggestions what would make a good replacement? I'd kind of like to get some thing for the same price as putting my home studio has pretty much cleaned me out

Lucian
 
There's a BILLION options here, and it all depends on the end product you're shooting for. There's all the Neve-ish, transformer-based preamps by Great River, API and Neve of course...tons of options. If warm and natural is what you're looking for, then it'd be hard to go wrong with a Great River ME-1NV...'course, you're looking at a preamp that's $1,100 per channel. I might suggest that you take the U87 back, get something from Mojave Audio, Bock, Kel, or whatever for about $1,000 then spend the rest on a good preamp or two. Just my $.02.

Frank
 
Plus, that's what the "U" stands for in "U87". So they match.

Frank
 
Hi Frank, thanks for the response. I like the look of the Great River, so will investigate that some more.

The end product I'm aiming for is an album as professionally recorded, produced, mixed and mastered as much as posssible by someone in their own home who only took up music seriously just over a year ago.

Retuning the U87 is something I'll have to think about over the weekend. I kind of got that Neumann "urge" and had a bit left over from loan I used to finance my project so submitted to it eventually. I'm English and couldn't find any of those mics you suggested for sale over here.

I'm not self-promoting - as I'm not at that level yet - but if it makes a difference knowing what kind of voice I have you can listen to the rode/tubepre in action here: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=876517&content=songinfo&songID=7304391

Thanks again Lucian
 
Avalon 737, Pendulum MDP-2. That's my 2 (vary large) cents worth. Don't let the bad boys bother you. In spite of what they say, there's nothing wrong with a U87ai.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
Avalon 737, Pendulum MDP-2. That's my 2 (vary large) cents worth. Don't let the bad boys bother you. In spite of what they say, there's nothing wrong with a U87ai.-Richie
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Nope. But my feeling is that if you have the change for a U87, you should have a competent salesperson more than willing to advise you.

If not, yeah, buy the 737. That's what everybody else does. My friend around the corner uses that combo, he likes it. What else do you really expect from this forum? Only a tiny small percentage here have used a U87 with a zillion different preamps.
 
Richard, the Avalon 737 is just a little out of my price range and I couldn't find and the other one I couldn't find the other one for sale here. Thanks for the advice though

MsHilarious, I think the Behringer Ultragain would be a back step from the tubepre.

mshilarious said:
Nope. But my feeling is that if you have the change for a U87, you should have a competent salesperson more than willing to advise you.

If not, yeah, buy the 737. That's what everybody else does. My friend around the corner uses that combo, he likes it. What else do you really expect from this forum? Only a tiny small percentage here have used a U87 with a zillion different preamps.
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Well, I don't really have the "change" for a U87, I live of welfare due to health reasons, but I have the commitment to my project to borrow money that the paying back of will condemn me to eating microwave spagetti bolognase for the next five years. I plan to sell off the higher value items after my I have finished my project.

I've only been seriously home recording for a few months so I'm hoping I can learn a lot here.

Thanks Lucian

The Phoenix Audio DRS-1 is one I've just come across and can exchange at the place I got the, I'd appreciate anyone's experience of this.
 
How 'bout Peluso? Can you guys get those on your side of the pond? The Peluso 2247 is supposed to be amazing...one of my British engineer buddies has a couple of loves them.

We were kidding about the Ultragain. :)

Frank
 
LucianX said:
Well, I don't really have the "change" for a U87, I live of welfare due to health reasons, but I have the commitment to my project to borrow money that the paying back of will condemn me to eating microwave spagetti bolognase for the next five years. I plan to sell off the higher value items after my I have finished my project.
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All of which is info your salesperson does not need to know . . .
 
MsHilarios, have you got some kind of U87ennis envy? I've got a bigger one than you, so get over it!:p

I don't have a salesperson, btw, buy everything off the internet.

Do you actually post any useful information?

Can't seem to get peluso, no Frank

Cheers Lucian
 
...hey Lucian...your track is wicked...sounds like a vintage Brit track from the 60's-70's...good stuff...nice energy...the sound is a bit gritty, but it suits the vibe well...if you decide to keep the U87 definately look into a transformer based preamp like the Great River...it will definately give you a more edgy tone, especially when pushed a bit...stay away from clean pres, as they won't offer the raw tone you've become accustomed to...if you do get the Great River, see if you can borrow a Shure SM7 to test...the GR and SM7 combination might not be as edgy as this track but it will be very thick and vintage sounding, which I think you might like...in the meantime, keep up the good work!...love the track...takes me back to my youth...Cheers! ;)
 
LucianX said:
MsHilarios, have you got some kind of U87ennis envy? I've got a bigger one than you, so get over it!:p
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Nope, U87s don't bother me one way or the other. I neither hate nor envy them. Like I said, my friend has one with the Avalon. I don't sing (well), so I don't use it. I sold him my KSM44, he said it was almost as good as the U87, but not quite. I have no reason to doubt his judgment. But I didn't really even need a mic as good as the KSM44, which is why I sold it.

Here is his website:

http://www.scottfranson.com/studio.html

If you like admiring pictures of Avalons and U87s or something.

Now, if you told me you had a U47 with a perfect capsule and working VF14, that would make me a little jealous . . .

I don't have a salesperson, btw, buy everything off the internet.
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Call Sweetwater then. Ask for Austin Moss. He will be happy to sell you something expensive. Or call Mercenary, although they aren't terribly fond of Neumanns, they have a lot of really expensive preamps for sale, and I imagine they like money more than they dislike Neumanns.

Do you actually post any useful information?
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Pretty much no, it's been 8,951 posts of complete drivel.
 
LucianX said:
Richard, the Avalon 737 is just a little out of my price range and I couldn't find and the other one I couldn't find the other one for sale here. Thanks for the advice though

MsHilarious, I think the Behringer Ultragain would be a back step from the tubepre.



Well, I don't really have the "change" for a U87, I live of welfare due to health reasons, but I have the commitment to my project to borrow money that the paying back of will condemn me to eating microwave spagetti bolognase for the next five years. I plan to sell off the higher value items after my I have finished my project.

I've only been seriously home recording for a few months so I'm hoping I can learn a lot here.

Thanks Lucian

The Phoenix Audio DRS-1 is one I've just come across and can exchange at the place I got the, I'd appreciate anyone's experience of this.
Click to expand...

Rent something nice...

you could turn that U87 and get a great combo deal like a Great river and a C414.
 
LucianX said:
MsHilarious, I think the Behringer Ultragain would be a back step from the tubepre.
Click to expand...

The correct line is:

Jon, I think the Behringer Ultragain would be a step down from my tin cans and string.

:D :D :D
 
Yo Lucian! You'll find the pendulum at Mercenary Audio on line, and I doubt it's any cheaper than the Avalon. Here's an MDP-1-

http://mercenary.com/mdvactubmicd.html

The problem is, the U87 does its best work with a good, real, tube preamp, and they mostly cost a small fortune. A less expensive short term option would be to acquire "the Brick" by Groove Tubes and change out the tubes for some new old stock Mullards:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Groove-Tubes-BRICK?sku=482845#new

The reality is that any preamp that will do real justice to a U87 will cost as much as the U87. Welcome to the world of high-end recording gear. Just scope out preamps at Mercenary and Sweetwater on line for some more sticker shock.-Richie
 
I'm glad this thread popped up. As of this moment there is a U87 with my name on it.. sitting in a FedEx truck out for delivery.. I'm going to run it through my ISA220.. I'll let you know how that turns out.. I hear a lot about the u87 and the avalon being a great match..

Any thoughts on the u87/ISA combo? Anyone currently using the same?
 
kidvybes - thanks for the comments on the track, much appreciated - that was done before I upgraded so hopefully it'll come out really well when I re-do it. The Sm7 looks a very interesting mic and definitely on my one to get list ond day.

Darrin - after a lot of thinking I came to the same conclusion - and both the solo 610 - good riddance - and the U87 - with regret - are being returned. And I've ordered a Great River ME-N1V and a C414 B-XL II - it's one I've had my eye on a while and hopefully it'll suit my vocals nicely.

Richie - I think that's the dilemma with U87. No point getting one if you can't afford the pre-amp to go with it. I'll get one again eventually, one of them cool black ones, that's a lot more me than the nickel one.

Thanks again everyone for you help - even you MsHilarious! :rolleyes: - has saved me quite a bit of dosh. I'll let you know how I get with them

Cheers Lucian
 
Well after a nearly cardiac arrest inducing fiasco with FedEx I received my u87 today and....







HOLY BEJESUS!!!!!!! I'm sure sorry it wasn't a good match for you.. that is really a shame cause WOW.. it worked phenominally for me.. My official opinoin is that it is not overated at all... Honestly.. brought tears to my eyes as long as I've been trying to get this sound.. Really worked out for me.. God bless the germans!
 
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