Five TRUTHS of the Neumann U87Ai

[@brodiebrazil]

My NEW all-Production channnel: Brodie.bz/Production Come check it out!

[@ChessDiagnostic]

I got the u87ai and the sm7b to test out for my home studio. I live next to the freeway and have SOME gobos and panels but I ended up sending the u87ai back because the sm7b just sounded better in the space. I loved the u87 but gotta accept that first reality! I hope someday to have a sounded treated room and get the u87 or even u67 but until then sm7b it is!

[@tonischjelderup8708]

Great review. I Just ordered this mic... The dream came true!

[@alvincornistamusic8754]

I'm a U87 owner and I have to say. The C12 is the one mic I hardly had to EQ the few times I had a chance to use it! So maybe the C12 is the last mic you'll ever need 😂

[@realtalkroscoeg]

🗑

[@paulk.dicostanzo2279]

I’ve worked with the U87 before, and you’re dead on. One of the magical aspects of this classic is when molding EQ for it, doing so is the audio equivalent of sculpting with warm clay in your hands. Little compares. I’d also like to say since discovering your channel (specifically the production elements of it - though I do enjoy the MLB coverage!), it’s been extremely useful in helping guide the transition from an all-audio podcast to a video podcast. Like you have, I am transforming a room in my home with many of the same considerations in mind. From blacking out the windows to dampening the acoustics with industrial sound blankets. It also happens by sheer coincidence we also use a lot of the same equipment (For example: The 12MTK, similar mic locker, etc). So having such an applicable and thoroughly explained map has been invaluable. Thank you for taking the time to break it all down and extoll the lessons you’ve learned production wise along the way.

[@brodiebrazil]

wow that's awesome paul thanks for the encouragement & support! i know my content is all over the map sometimes. i'm planning on doing a future live stream to explain my entire setup soon. hope you'll see it!

[@BillBene67]

Brodie has awesome videos. The way he lays it out and his clear precise speaking voice, just awesome

[@andrewc661]

I own this mic, I was a bit hesitant to watch this but everything stated is absolutely true. I even own the same shockmount lol

[@offplanetfilms]

I'm contemplating getting one for our cartoon voice acting. Only recently started using a Rode NT1 after using various dynamics for years. Starting the realize the limitations of the Rode with sibilance, but I'm eyeballing a U87Ai (one day!)

[@who_is_dis]

Glad someone admits this instead of going down the “durhh it’s the same” route - the mids in the U87 are magic - those upper mids especially. I think the way this guys processed his has made it more sibilant.

[@BojanBojovic]

Your objectivity is commendable, everyone simply just get religious about it. It is a great microphone and I like it a lot, but you need to know what to do with it after the recording is done, which is expected for people who buy this microphone. This microphone gives some peace of mind in situations when something goes wrong with the recordings, you can always say that it is not about the microphone, which is difficult for any other brand out there. Is it subjective? Of course it is. Could you get the same or better recordings with much less money? Of course you could.

[@kedavis]

Right on the money!! I’ve seen these same things with my u87.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

How do you compare Mojave 201 fet versus U87ai.

[@PianistStefanBoetel]

Thank you so much for these valuable insights. Do you think as a Pianist I should get the U87? Currently I am using the Rode Nt4 which I without any knowledge I would consider a middle class microphone. Thank you for your expertise!

[@brodiebrazil]

Wish I had more experience with instruments. So I can’t say for sure. But I do know the clarity on this mic is insane. And that alone on a piano Might be a huge asset.

[@tom_k_d]

Yes, a pair of U87ai is 1st choice for Piano if you can afford it. A more affordable alternative would be 2x KM184.

[@PianistStefanBoetel]

@@tom_k_d Thank you for your answer!

[@tom_k_d]

@@PianistStefanBoetel Welcome. For classical recordings, U87ai has the added benefit of 'Omi' option if the room sounds nice.

[@guidosc3470]

I have two 87 and two pairs of km184 and even prefer the 184 on our grand piano 😉

[@crazyKurious]

Whicj rycote invision is this ? The lite version or the VB

[@brodiebrazil]

it's the rycote invision universal shock mount

[@OCTOmgnt]

Well done, what preamp are you using for this video along side your 87 AI?

[@crafting11111]

Where u got it from

[@brodiebrazil]

B&H in New York. I'm glad you caught this video & just want to invite you to my NEW channel, "Home Studio Pro": brodie.bz/Production

[@michaelgamble296]

Here's a sixth 'home truth' about the RE20. I have two of these (actually they are PL20's, not RE20's - but they are indeed the same animal). The 'truth' is in Maintenance. Due to the way the RE 20 is constructed it is necessary (really necessary) to take it apart every twenty years or so to replace the foam inside. The 'Motor' of the RE 20 is encapsulated in a contoured foam. I bought my RE20's way back in 1983 together with a pair of RE55's. Then, about twenty years later, both RE20's started sounding like an expensive baby rattle if you slightly shook them. The reason, I found, was the gradual break-down of the Foams encapsulating the 'Motors'. Either replace the Foam or bin the Microphones. As the value of these Microphones is going UP binning them was not an option. I managed to find a source of the Foams for the RE20's and DIY came to the fore. No problems - I already had the tiny Allen key required for the dismantling. The rest is history - but an history which will most certainly be repeating itself every twenty years or so. This means 2023. Next year. So I fear this is indeed a Home Truth for the RE20. If you can live with that, fine. It's worth it.

[@brodiebrazil]

excellent point michael... a long term consideration of the re20 for sure... i've seen that foam break down it's definitely a thing, and also kind of gross.

[@marcustaing]

Hey Man I love your videos, Keep it up :)

[@frubo_ssg]

I own the U87 as well and I mostly agree. But… check out the Microtech Gefell M930 für spoken word applications - the U87 might be the second last purchase ;)

[@stanleyassor3172]

Brodie what do you think of the Townsend sphere?

[@brodiebrazil]

haven't really used it but i like the idea of emulations. kind of like what my apollo does

[@erickjovan]

Could someone post a link for the Rycote?

[@Fastvoice]

AFAIK you can't post links in the comments.

[@gracefaith3772]

what about the M149?

[@mannyalv4435]

Tbh there's more than just a well treated room to burst out its true magic! And yes I've got class A vocals in my kitchen with this mic. But remember theres more to it.

[@officialdiomer]

more to it like what? I have one and would like to see what you mean by that

[@Neekzu]

@@officialdiomer I also have one, did you ever find out?

[@officialdiomer]

@@Neekzu he probably meant a good preamp but honestly man i think that’s marketing bs. you need a good preamp for the U87 the same way you need one for any other mic in my opinion. no crappy preamp is gonna help a mic sound better and mics these days are really good for their price. i just got a Sony C-80 that i actually like more than the U87 for my voice and genres of choice (pop & rap)

[@Neekzu]

@@officialdiomer Yes you are right! The Preamp is as important as the mic. Still looking for a nice Preamp that suites my U87. I am eying the "AMS Neve 1073 LB Mono Mic Preamp". And also room treatment is very important too. Room resonances will ruin vocal recordings especially if you run your vocals through pitch correction and a couple compressors lol

[@officialdiomer]

@@Neekzu i’ve shifted my focus back to making music and crafting songs. i’ve wasted so many hours doing research on analog gear. i currently have a Neve 5211, BLA 17 and an Audioscape Opto but honestly the Heritage Audio HA-73 is an awesome preamp that i’ve also used and that’s way cheaper than my 5211. and the 5211 is just two 511’s put together so if you only need one input you could go 500 series and get the same thing

[@studio_person]

6 fact: this is the best mic in the world

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

@@breymienofficial8503 Forever.

[@bigflx_]

🤣🤣🤣 facts had me crying

[@who_is_dis]

Relative to price, sure. If price isn't an issue - U67, Telefunken U48 or a C12 are better. I have a U87 - love it.

[@Neekzu]

@@who_is_dis Why is the U67 better exactly?

[@who_is_dis]

@@Neekzu Just sound a lot smoother and even more natural / intimate. Not sure how, but the tubes definitely add a nicer character.

[@realtalkroscoeg]

First time I heard anybody understand this microphone and explain it! amateurs hate this mic😂😂

[@farhaansiddiqui]

so what's the difference between the old U87 and the new U87 Ai - ?

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

The old sounds if it came from the gods ... More natural, timeless. The new is more of a "look at me thing". The old is great for the pop diva timeless pieces of true art the other for every day pop 40 charts songs lasting 30 days max. where you want an impact. :)) If you're doing music "with the soul" the old one is the thing you want. It's not even close.

[@mirkomarkovic3438]

If you got the circuit versions without the smd daughterboard in place of a fet the difference is very subtle. Most people have the version with the daughterboard and they sound harsh and are eq'd different. Same as with the tlm 103, everybody complains how bright that mic is but everybody uses it with an high impedance preamp when the 103 is rated for 50ohms....

[@tintomara5006]

Isn't that mic holder is upside down?

[@gaboonschoolofmusic9848]

I have a u87 and I don't feel that its the last mic in fact I am not fan of it and I am running it through the mt 48 with high end mic pre in a treated space ... I also use a burl b80 mothership so I am not sending smoke.....nordic labs audio make better mics.....akg c12 is my favorite...... on some folks u87 is very harsh

[@nicolocutor]

What process do you use on this video? EQ COMPRESSION. PREAMP. PLUGIN

[@jomiro]

Nice video

[@realtalkroscoeg]

Man perfectly explained

[@w.g.5225]

Flat? Really? 😂 is famous for its midrange and that’s way it cuts so well.

[@RandomVideos-lt9to]

Better then Shure?

[@brodiebrazil]

What model are we talking

[@RandomVideos-lt9to]

@@brodiebrazil SM7B

[@brodiebrazil]

@@RandomVideos-lt9to for normal volume voiceover and narration... yes.

[@Neekzu]

I had the Shure SM7B and returned it after just 10 days even though I had 100 days to return it. I didn't like the sound at all. It just sounded boomy, muddy and the high end had very bad resolution to it. It couldn't take editing so well and sounded very closed. I then switched to a Rode NT1 4th gen. Which was an immediate improvement in my vocals. It sounded stronger and more open. Now I switched to a Neumann U87 Ai and my vocals are crystal clear now with Neumann character to it. No placebo. No gaslightning myself. Blind A/B tests with producer friends. I do not recommend the SM7B at all. It also doesn't reject room noise as expected.

[@breymienofficial8503]

I sold my u87 for ZP800G from ZP Microphones :P

[@selw0nk]

It so good that it's too expensive.

[@brodiebrazil]

true story.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

So don't purchase. Get BM 800.

[@rustychassis]

MXL 990 ftw. Sounds very Neumann-like out of the box, and it's moddable.

[@lemnz01]

ELA M 251 would be my last one 🔥🔥🔥

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

U 87AI has better texture than Elam 251.

[@eltonesound]

Nasal, boxy 😆, cmon man not true at all , u87 is a champ -Tlm 103 will get nasally if you don’t know what you doing , Pointless points you made my friend i disagree 🤞🏻

[@brodiebrazil]

you can make a rebuttal video.

[@eltonesound]

You know what i had to go back and watch your video one more time , and i realized that a lot of what you talked about it here its true , i don’t know why i got so hyped about your interpretation but i was wrong and i admitted . Great points i own them both and what you said it makes perfect sense !! you earned a like and a subscriber ✌🏻 have a good day brother

[@banba69]

@@brodiebrazil bro flip his mind drastically