Pick one...Help me out.

[pmdiaz23]

This is NOT a "which one is better mic" post

Im recording my fiancee's Album using U87. It's very acoustic with a pop twist. Looking to cut studio cost, I have my own studio, but not the u87. I have 3 more songs to go, and I'm over budget. Any way I need to do her vocals for the last three.

Keeping in mind I will use proper technique,pre... blah blah....which mic will bring me closer in sound to the big sound of the u87: (I have some of these)

SE220a Considering adding to my collection
NT1000 - I have access
NTK - I might have a deal used
k2 - Work
NT2a- ???
NT1a - I own
GT55 - Buddy has

Feel free to add to this list

 

[Big Kenny]

You're not gonna get a U87 sound out of something on that list. Studio Projects T3 or maybe a K2 will sound nice, as do some of the other mics on your list. You won't be matching that sound though.....

 

[bigwillz24]

not exactly the same sound but the adk hamburg is modeled somewhat after a U87.

 

[Big Kenny]

I've got a Hamburg you can borrow, you pay shipping, I'm in Wisconsin.
And by the way, the Johnny Depp quote is plaguarized.

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon, "Beautiful Boy"
English singer & songwriter (1940 - 1980)

 

[Micter]

Of all the mics on that list I would say the K2.

 

[pmdiaz23]

Thanks guys... I just want to get those last 3 tracks not sound that far off. I appreciate all the good advice on here. Looks like a k2 or a little more stones to turn

 

[pmdiaz23]

Thanks for the offer Big K... would the Hamburg give me that good of a sound, I think this guy down at work has one.

 

[homestudioguy]

The SE2200A will have very similar sonic characteristics to the U87 but it will not have that hi-end "air".
I have done an A/B with a '70's U87 and the SE2200A and you really have to do some focused listening to hear the differences. They are there, for sure but it's interestingly close. Try before you buy!
I love the NTK but the K2 will be a brighter sounding mic IMHO.

 

[pmdiaz23]

I actually picked up a se2200a off ebay for pretty cheap... I also have access to a K2, so I think I'll finish with one of these

 

[homestudioguy]

I actually picked up a se2200a off ebay for pretty cheap... I also have access to a K2, so I think I'll finish with one of these

For fun, why not place the SE2200A with the capsule right side up and the K2 upside down almost touching the SE2200A for your recording and record your vocals on 2-separate tracks. Then see which track/mic works best or even see what you get when you blend the 2 tracks together at differing balances.
It could be fun and interesting!!!!

 

[cavedog101]

For fun, why not place the SE2200A with the capsule right side up and the K2 upside down almost touching the SE2200A for your recording and record your vocals on 2-separate tracks. Then see which track/mic works best or even see what you get when you blend the 2 tracks together at differing balances.
It could be fun and interesting!!!!

Thats what I do. Its these comparisons that shed the true light on just how unattainable the Neumann sound is. The K2 is a great mic on its own terms, as is the SE. The other part of this equation that will not compute is the differences in one U87 to another. Subtle, but different if they arent a matched pair.

I dont see why you cant record the vocals with whatever you have. They dont have to sound the same on every track. Theres nothing that requires this.

One thing the above/below micing does is capture more of the chest tones .

 

[TragikRemix]

what about that BS antares mic modeler plugin?

 

[pmdiaz23]

Thats what I do. Its these comparisons that shed the true light on just how unattainable the Neumann sound is. The K2 is a great mic on its own terms, as is the SE. The other part of this equation that will not compute is the differences in one U87 to another. Subtle, but different if they arent a matched pair.

I dont see why you cant record the vocals with whatever you have. They dont have to sound the same on every track. Theres nothing that requires this.

One thing the above/below micing does is capture more of the chest tones .

your right, it doesn't have to sound alike... just don't want to go too far off

 

[up-fiddler]

You're not gonna get a U87 sound out of something on that list. Studio Projects T3 or maybe a K2 will sound nice, as do some of the other mics on your list. You won't be matching that sound though.....

I use the T3 on female vox most of the time with satisfactory results. jmho

 

[homestudioguy]

I use the T3 on female vox most of the time with satisfactory results. jmho

The SE2200A can work real nice on upper-altos/sopranos.
As it doesnt have the extended highs a lot of mics do nowadays, the high voices come across smoothly and not too brittle.
I'm sort of a Baritone/Tenor and my Z3300A and Z5600A work well both having more "air" than the SE2200A.
Thats why I suggested trying the K2 and SE2200A together as you might just come up with a real nice vibey blend that could very well come close to your U87 sound with some trial and error (or as I call it, having way too much fun! ).

 

[pmdiaz23]

The SE2200A can work real nice on upper-altos/sopranos.
As it doesnt have the extended highs a lot of mics do nowadays, the high voices come across smoothly and not too brittle.
I'm sort of a Baritone/Tenor and my Z3300A and Z5600A work well both having more "air" than the SE2200A.
Thats why I suggested trying the K2 and SE2200A together as you might just come up with a real nice vibey blend that could very well come close to your U87 sound with some trial and error (or as I call it, having way too much fun! ).

As they say here in Hialeah... Senk you!!! I will run that test and I might throw into that test my SM7b, NT1a, and a sm58 just for fun. Good reference to have.

 

[Sage97]

NTK gets my vote. However, I have to say that I have not used anything else other than an AT4040.

 

[pmdiaz23]

I just got the SE 2200a... it's sounds great... Thought I'd post back.. While not the same sound as the U87 (obviously)... a good sound. In fact, I think I like it just the same

 

[homestudioguy]

Glad to hear it.
Like a dummy I sold my SE2200A last year.
Another one is on it's way as we speak.

 

[cusebassman]

The K2 with the tube replaced sounds very nice with all the vocals I've run through it to date... don't know how it stacks up to a U87 (probably doesn't), but it'll do the job.