Stam Audio SA-87i (Vintage Neumann u87i Clone)

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

Stam Audio is exceptional.

[@TheRecordist]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

The Stam is impressive. Sounds like the real thing. Love the animated intro. Keep taking it to the next level!

[@TheRecordist]

Thanks, Mark! Will do!

[@DONOR-jh9sy]

Mark like to hear the stam against a u87i in your booth...and compared to your Green version of the u87i

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

@@DONOR-jh9syAs he and I live in separate countries, it’s a good idea that won’t happen.

[@TheRecordist]

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff unless you grab yourself a Stam. 🤓

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

@@TheRecordist Last time I did that, I got arrested.

[@RedDogGuitars]

that was a fantastic song and recording!!!!!

[@TheRecordist]

Oh thanks very much! Cheers!

[@Ed-davies]

Oh boy oh boy! That sound, what a sound! LEAD GUITAR! Love it ❤

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. You KNOW it! Hahaha

[@MigranteKorea]

Oh, noooo! Another amazing review from The Time Preservation Society channel. 😊👍👌

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Thanks so much! I hope I don’t make you spent too much money when these reviews! Hahaha. Cheers!

[@DapperDanLovesYou]

Another fantastic video sir! Thank you for covering this mic, it's an awesome little beauty

[@TheRecordist]

It sure is! And you’re very welcome! Cheers!

[@MarkVO]

A Roman made capsule!!! Bloody hell, I could actually visit a capsule designer who's LOCAL to me! Magnificent sound, wonderful review. Love the roll-off. It sounds ideal for cutting through a mix more effectively.

[@TheRecordist]

Hey Mark! Nice to see you outside the clandestine group of super nerds that shall remain nameless! Yes. I friggin loved this mic. Really impressed with it. One of my new favorites! Thanks so much for the comment!

[@imnmediakc8533]

Lovely video! Im sold. I took a gamble and bought a Stam audio Sa-16 on reverb. It sounds beautiful.

[@TheRecordist]

I think they make great stuff! And thanks!

[@DaveSS-xi4pn]

Love the song!!!!!!🎉

[@TheRecordist]

Thanks very much! I get these song ideas when I have a great mic in my hands. Hahaha. Cheers!

[@DaveSS-xi4pn]

You crack me up😂😂😂 nice review !!!❤

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Thanks, Dave!

[@EnglishEloquenceMoscow]

Thank man! You have a great youtube channel. I love how original you are. You sense of humor is priceless man. Keep up the good stuff coming.

[@TheRecordist]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the awesome comment!

[@subtonic24]

Stam Audio is an amazing company man! I'm a huge fan of them. I have a vintage U87 that i've been putting out videos with and I wish I could get my hands on an SA87i to compare. If there is any company I would trust with making accurate reproductions of gear, it is definitely Stam Audio. Great video man! I'm really interested in their SA800g as well so if you happen to get your hands on one, i'll be right here waiting to hear your thoughts on it!

[@TheRecordist]

Well said and I couldn’t agree more! I’d love to test out the SA800g, among many other goodies made by Stam! I’ll try and make that happen! Stam has been great to work with. Thanks for the great comment! Cheers!

[@windpeoples]

Frodo sends his regards from the lands of the West, Sam!

[@TheRecordist]

Oh! Mr. Frodo! Does he have any POTATOES?!

[@windpeoples]

@@TheRecordist Sadly, no. Elves do not favor them.

[@TheRecordist]

@@windpeoples ahhhh. Alas, you are correct. But what they lack in potatoes, they surely make up for in beauty!

[@richardsisk1770]

Thanks! Want one!!

[@TheRecordist]

No worries! And I know what you mean!

[@keeppushin]

Man you and that mic is amazing, i wasnt expecting that. That ish was dope

[@TheRecordist]

Hey thanks so much! What is an ish? I’m old hahaha.

[@keeppushin]

@@TheRecordist 🤣🤣 it's a substitute for the word "sh*t"

[@TheRecordist]

@@keeppushin hahahaha. Got it! Wicked!

[@CaptainMoto]

Fun new cartoon studio😊 Sam, looks / sounds like winner! I must be living under a rock, didn’t even know Steam built mics.

[@TheRecordist]

Hey Captain! Did you mean Stam? Hahaha. And yessir! Stam makes a bunch of really awesome gear. Check them out!

[@CaptainMoto]

@@TheRecordist Oh, come on, have you never seen a steam powered mic? Ha Ha!

[@The-Logician]

Now Neumann needs to send you both the U87i and a U87ai for comparison.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Imagine that!

[@MidnightMiik]

Fantastic review! I too have used the vintage Neumann U87i and the U87ai, and the Stam 87i. It sounds almost identical to the vintage U87i. If you’re familiar with the vintage U87i, you realize that no 2 sound identical to each other unless you’re lucky enough to have a matched pair. Even then, there are subtle differences. The Stam holds its own against the Neumann. In fact, in many ways I prefer it to the Neumann. Vintage Neumanns are very expensive and can be risky to buy since you really don’t have any clue as to what life the mic lived prior to purchasing it. The sound of the Stam is as good as the Neumann and costs a fraction of what a vintage U87i costs and it’s new. With the money saved, you could buy 5 or more Stam U87is for the price of a single Neumann. Plus, as with any expensive vintage gear, you tend to treat it like it’s special, because it would be difficult to impossible to replace if anything happened to it.

[@TheRecordist]

That is all very well said! Thanks for this great comment! Long live Stam Audio! Woo hoo!

[@rounderone8437]

Please, STOP! No more microphone reviews! I can't take it anymore. I just watched this video, and what the hell do you think happened?? Oh God, I hear the garage door opening! My wife is home! What am I going to do!! She'll take my credit card away for good!! Because I just ordered the Stam SA-87i! You made me do it. I'm blaming you because of your gushy, loving, super massive praise for the thing. I know! I'll make her watch the video! She'll understand. She'll know why I caved and bought it, right? RIGHT? Tell me everything will be okay. I'm so scared.

[@TheRecordist]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *inhales deeply* HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA What can I say, my friend? Hahaha. Man I love your comments! I’ve missed you!

[@rounderone8437]

@@TheRecordist Thanks. And I love your work.

[@rounderone8437]

And yes, I really did order the mic. The $100 off was a great deal. Thanks for your review!

[@TheRecordist]

@@rounderone8437 haha. Wow. Thanks, man! And you preordered one? Fantastic! You absolutely MUST tell me what you think!

[@rounderone8437]

@@TheRecordist I will! Every time I watch one of your videos I get out my credit card just in case. HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@-theNerd]

since they're similarly priced it would be interesting to compare the Atlantis to the Stam? Another awesome vid-keep on going man!

[@TheRecordist]

Hi Mo! Thanks for joining The Time Preservation Society as a member! That’s a great idea! However, $800 for the Stam and the Atlantis is about $1800. Hahaha. Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@badmiddens]

Me want. ME. WANT.

[@TheRecordist]

I know what you mean!! Hahaha.

[@ryanshook8284]

That solo rocked ahahahaha

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Thanks very much! That was a telecaster. Hahaha

[@ryanshook8284]

@@TheRecordist My fave guitar. I have a PinUp Tele from Eric Daw. Highly recommended.

[@TheRecordist]

@@ryanshook8284 oh very nice! Mine is the American Professional II in Mystic Surf Green. I reviewed it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3nLhq2srs6qo9Usi=p8HZ192J2OInjN2w Gotta love a tele! I sure do now that I’m all growed up!

[@paulocosta3007]

I was waiting impatiently for a new video! So much so that i was checking the channel every 15min ahah Looking forward to the T1 and 4100 from Se electronics and the Lauten LA 120s. The 4100 is pretty much a 4400 with only cardioid i think... So i suspected you got it to do a mid side with the 4400. I wonder if you like the t1 so much that you will get the t2. Anyway... Also, id love to see you review a lewitt 440 pure. There is also a pure tube version and i wonder how close we could get with some tube plugins. Ps: Ive removed a comment in a previous video because eventually ive learned more stuff about gear and recording. Looking forward to learn more from you because your channel is f*cking awesome!

[@TheRecordist]

Oh hahaha. Thanks so much! My videos are always Monday’s at 9am Eastern Time (except the next two weeks since I’m on vacation). Otherwise, if you join as a member here and choose the second tier, my videos come out the Friday before the Monday. Early viewing. You’re right about the 4100 being the cardioid only version of the 4400. sE Electronics sent me the 4100 and the T1. I already have a T2. Those reviews will be coming in the next bunch of weeks! I’m not sure about Lewitt. I’ve contacted them, but they don’t seem interested in sending me a mic. Perhaps one day! Thanks for the great comment!

[@paulocosta3007]

​@@TheRecordist "iiiiii wiiiill hold it too, the sE T2" ahahah. I'd gladly be a member, but I still have not given up smoking... My soul wants to help the Village Green Preservation Society... I mean, the Time Preservation Society, but my body wants to be Don Draper. Perhaps one day! See? I'm something of a Lewitt myself. hahah Loved the Stam 87i! Have a nice vacation!

[@northcoaststudios]

SSSSSSSssssssssexy mic! Long live Stam Audio. Low roll-off doesn't usually impress me much, but I agree.....I would use that too. I think that the omni is the best I have ever heard. This mic is insane. The price is even more insane. By the way, that was an actual zippo lighter I was waving back and forth during the guitar solo. None of that cell phone light shit. I don't smoke.....it's just that zippos are twenty-three skidoo! (that exclamation is before both our times.) Cool animation. I appreciate you bringing new things into your videos, but I miss the wizard. By the way.......only one of those guys made it to the choppa, and he was late.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahaha. I’m glad you got that Predator reference! Hahaha. Of course! Back when I smoked it was Zippos for years! I’ll try to get Artemis back on the channel soon! He’s been rather busy watching old movies of late! Hahaha. I’m glad you liked the Stam as much as I did! Really a fantastic mic! Thanks, as always, for your awesome comments! Cheers, man!

[@DearNoobs]

oh man, that sounds great, i just wonder how much 'Blah' youtube adds to the sound quality. This would sound great on my HF station ;)

[@TheRecordist]

KZbin definitely downgrades the sound as it compresses it. The Stam sounds much better with the wav files. So if that sounds good to you, then it’ll REALLY blow your mind in person!

[@dannylightning-audio-reviews]

I don't know about that song but..... That thing sounds damn good.

[@TheRecordist]

Oh. You didn’t like the song? And yes, the mic is insane.

[@MOSMASTERING]

Hey, I love this channel and the reviews are perfect for me - great A/B-ing and in depth honest testing! I've set aside a bit of money for later this year and I wanted to buy 2 or 3 microphones. Could you recommend a couple of indispensable mics that would work on a great range of instruments and vocals? Also, I was thinking of buying the Slate Digital modelling microphone - similar to their headphones that emulate different mixing environments, this is supposed to emulate lots of different microphones.. which sounds like a great money saver. If not - what are a couple of great all-round mics - money no real object if I just get a few that would suit everything. + A new subscriber!

[@TheRecordist]

Hey there. Thanks very much! Well, I would NOT recommend the Slate ML-1. I have the ML-2 and they’re ok but nowhere close to the Universal Audio DLX (formerly known as the Townsend Labs L22 Sphere). If you want a fantastic modeling mic, check that one out. I actually reviewed in here on my channel. The DLX. As for mics I recommend, it really depends o. What you’re going for. Here are my top picks: LARGE DIAPHRAGM CONDENSERS: Flat all rounders: -sE Electronics sE4400 or its little brother the sE4100 -sE Electronics T2 or the T1 -Roswell Pro Audio Mini K87 Colorful or character mics: -Lauten Audio Atlantis -Stam Audio SA-87i -Dachman Audio DA-87i -Roswell Mini K67x -Lauten Audio LS-208 Tube mic: Lauten Audio LA-320 SMALL DIAPHRAGM CONDENSERS: -Line Audio CM4 DYNAMIC MICS: -Shure SM57 -Shure SM7B Does this help at all?

[@calvinbotha4859]

Wow this sounds seriously good! Always check your channel if I get a new mic just incase you might have given it the the The Time Preservation Society treatment. Your videos are unbelievably entertaining :)! O/t, but are you still enjoying your sphere? It's still currently my go to.

[@TheRecordist]

Hey thanks so much, Calvin! And of course I’m still enjoying the Sphere! It’s a fabulous mic! You can’t go wrong with it!

[@mikebauer6917]

Oh oh oh, where are my anti-GAS pills?! Hide the credit card… my wife is already suspicious.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahahaha. I know exactly what you mean, Mike!

[@mikebauer6917]

@@TheRecordist especially since I recently had a “honey did you order something from Slovakia?” My Geofón is here!! “What is that?” Ahh…

[@TheRecordist]

@@mikebauer6917 hahahahaha. Woo hoo! The Geofon is an amazing mic! Enjoy it!

[@jvices]

What is your signal chain? Is it your interface's preamp or an external one? Do you prefer the these or the Lauten Audio one? Cheers,

[@TheRecordist]

Hey. Great questions! I used no external preamp for any of this. Most viewers don’t have one, so unless I specify that I’m doing that, it’s usually directly into a recorder or interface. The talking head part was recorded directly into the Sound Devices MixPre 6 II recorder. The music part was recorded directly into the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X with no preamp emulation. Between this and the Atlantis, I would still choose the Atlantis but only by a hair for some things. Other things I would choose the Stam. The Stam has a lot of saturation that is great for some things and not for others. I love them both!

[@jvices]

@@TheRecordist thanks for the informative reply. Love the channel very entertaining. 🤘🏻

[@TheRecordist]

@@jvices hey thanks very much!

[@transistorradiorecords3661]

How does it stack up to my favorite Rode Nt1a? 😁

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

[@Leo_Vulkan]

I've tested this mic against the U87 and U87ai in my mic locker. Night and day obviously. Harsher and without the mojo in the mids of the og models.

[@TheRecordist]

Did you test the older version of the Stam SA-87 or the new version of the Stam SA-87i?

[@Leo_Vulkan]

@@TheRecordist This, the latest one. A friend lent me his unit a month ago. I was tempted to buy one at first, but I was very disappointed. It's like comparing a kitten to a Bengal tiger. I guess my age made me too picky.

[@TheRecordist]

@@Leo_Vulkan oh. I see. I remember the old U87 and this reminds me very much of it. But I must confess, I don’t have one handy to compare it to. It’s from memory.

[@MatthewBarelick]

And for 690 bucks ITS A STEAL! Never heard of this company before but I will be purchasing a few different models I have a Neumann U47 FET for my outside bass drum mic yep that 3995 monster I think I'm switching to the Stam U47 FET for my road kit and I'll use the Neumann in studio, Thanks for the info!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheRecordist]

Oh that’s great! You’re very welcome!

[@keeppushin]

would you personally use this over your 4400se

[@TheRecordist]

I would use both. They are each vastly different mics. The 87i is very colorful. The 4400 is very natural and rounded.

[@7171jay]

So what is the micpreamp and limiter this mic is running through ?

[@TheRecordist]

Great question! For the talking head portion of the video it is recorded on a Sound Devices MixPre 6 II. No outboard preamp. The limiter is the stock Davinci Resolve limiter. For the music part, it’s the Apollo Twin X with no preamp emulation, but a bunch of FX were used per instrument I recorded. Hope this helps!

[@7171jay]

​@@TheRecordist Thanks!

[@TheRecordist]

@@7171jay cheers!

[@DearNoobs]

................................................................. No

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahaha. I love a good no after a delayed silence!

[@DRAVEN-h8u]

I'm gonna second that no don't were they expecte me pull out almost over 700 bucks. If I had that then I would've just bought a numen tlm 103 or 102.