Product: Neumann U87 Price Paid: USD 2200.00
Submitted 08/24/2006
at 02:34pm
by Mark King
Reviewer Background
:
I've been recording and doing sound since the late 50's. My current studio has two ProTools systems, one for tracking and one for mastering at 96K. A customized analog console feeds a pair of Mackie HR824 monitors on sand filled stands.
Overall Rating
:10
The U-87 is a multi pattern condenser mic. It is not TUBE. Normally I use the cardiode pickup pattern but occasionally switch to figure 8 because it has a slightly different tone quality. I usually run the mic into a Groove Tubes Brick mic preamp then into a Universal Audio 1176LN, then straight into ProTools. This yields up a nice smooth sound quality that smokes every other combination in my studio which includes lots of AKG, Sennheiser, Shure and MXL mics. I use this Neuman mic and GT preamp for recording any of my 7 Boogie amp and Marshall 4x12 cabinets. I also record vocals with it. I never need eq on any of the tracks recorded with this mic. It's the hallmark of this classic, it stands out in a mix beautifully. It's not cheap but unlike inexpensive look-alikes, this one will definitely have resale value and it's got a sound quality that is totally unique, special and good. I'm worth it!
Product: Neumann U87 Price Paid: US $1700 used
Submitted 02/01/2006
at 03:23pm
by Bernhard Hofer
Reviewer Background
:
Making music for 20 years, not bad, no commercial ambitions.
From Hybrid Arts Sequencer on Atari ST to Cubase SX3 on PC with MOTU 828 (2 Units cascaded plus AI3 ADAT Converter by Alesis), multitracking beginning with tascam porta 05)
harddisk recording for about 10 years
Yamaha HS80m active monitors/PA equipment
Overall Rating
:10
Condensor mic, used for vocals and everything, yes everything else
been thinking about a tlm103, saving 500 $, didn't test, but it's not the real thin
Product: Neumann U87 Price Paid: US $2000
Submitted 04/06/2005
at 04:45pm
by snkmartas
Reviewer Background
:
1/15 years
2/Engineered 50 Albums, plus some radio, TV and film score work.
3/PT TDM HD3
4/Large Dynaudios
Overall Rating
:5
This (alongside the SM57) the most overrated mic, ever!
It's great for a few vocalists. Close to unusable on others.
Also Works on french horn, acoustic guitar, double bass.
There are a lot of good alternatives.
It's got a lot of peaky resoncases in the midrange, wich gives it it's aggressive vocalsound.
These peaks work for some sources- other bland, sqeeuky or dreadful.
It's by no means any longer a reference mic.
Product: Neumann U87 Price Paid: US $2750
Submitted 04/07/2004
at 09:04am
by RAYZ HELL
Email: HELLZDOORMAN at HOTMAIL<dot>COM
Reviewer Background
:
BEEN RECORDING WITH NEUMANN U87 ON AND OFF FOR 5 YEARS.
USED WITH DA-38'S, AND ALSO MOTU 2408MK 2.
NEVER USED IT WITH 2 INCH - I'M SURE THAT WOULD BE SWEET!
I MONITOR THROUGH JBL 4430 MIDFIELD MONITORS.
Overall Rating
:No Opinion
U87 IS THE REFERENCE CONDENSER OF ALL TIME - THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT IT.
OVERHEADS, GUITAR CABS, VOCALS.
I WAS CONDSIDERING A C12 BUT DIDN'T HAVE SURPLUS CASH PILES.
I READ UP ON A TON OF MICS AND EVERTHING OVER A GRAND WAS BEING COMPARED TO THE 87 - SO I JUST BOUGHT THE 87.
WE HAVE HAD SONGS ON THE RADIO DONE FROM 2 DA-38'S, INTO MACKIE 1604VLZ, TO DISC WITH NO EQ.-NO EFFECTS,-TOTALLY RAW AND THEY SOUNDED PRO.
WITH OTHER MICS YOU ALWAYS EQ. AND ADD REVERB.- ALWAYS.
SERIOUSLY IF YOU BUY ONE MIC FOR YOUR STUDIO - FOR VOCALS- BUY THE 87.
I HAVE USED THE 87 FOR BOOGIE CABS BUT PEOPLE SAY I'M SICK SO NOW I'M GONNA USE THE KMS 105, BECAUSE IT'S A FIFTH OF THE PRICE AND NOW I'M PARANOID.
I GOT THE SWIVEL MOUNT- IT'S 250 BUCKS CHEAPER THAN THE SHOCK AND IT'S TOTALLY FINE.
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