Vintage Neumann U47 vs Vintage Neumann U87

A real world comparison of a vintage U87 with my newly acquired vintage U47. I'll leave the commentary to anyone who wants to chime in. Be sure to listen on good headphone or speakers.
Signal chain is identical for both microphones with RMS levels matched in Pro Tools: mics, my handbuilt tube preamps, Metric Halo conversion, and followed up outboard with my handbuilt LA2A compressor (settings the same for both).
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[@WilliamJohnston]

Came for the microphone comparison, stayed for the voice. Decided to buy your album. Thanks so much, keep up the amazing work! Best wishes from bonnie Scotland

[@ProfessorDan]

Awww. Thanks so much!

[@blueflagmusic]

The 87 is a cattle pony. The 47 is a show horse. Your voice is fantastic.

[@JeremyHorn]

You're a great singer bro.

[@ProfessorDan]

Thanks so much!

[@Shermanbay]

What a great comparison. I loved the way you switched back & forth between the two mics.

[@pherrishill2570]

Came here for the mics. Stayed for the singing!

[@robertgentry9436]

How great and enjoyable that was!

[@zacalakemusic]

You are a wonderful man doing wonderful things.

[@keithrowe7617]

There is almost nothing more awesome that a whole series of hand written signs on a KZbin video. Either mic would work beautifully. I liked the 47 better, but don't even bother to ask me to explain why.

[@pherrishill2570]

It’s frustrating that I can’t give this more than 1 like. Amazing singing buddy!

[@KaffeGaming]

Great singing!

[@davidhrivnak]

I was expecting a simple mic comparison, and I ended up being really pleasantly surprised by this great song and performance. So good! And a great comparison too. Thank you!

[@ProfessorDan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tonygunz21]

U87 is more forward, the U47 is more 3d and round. For this example, I like the U47, but both sound great. Great comparison.

[@alexbreyer6921]

They both sound great to me. 47 is just slightly softer/rounder on the top end. What a blessing to have either one to work with.

[@ramonfelizjr]

Amazing , I never thought that I will like more a U87 over U47 , it’s seems the U87 is more aggressive and up front , the U47 is more rounded on the highs and more pleasant sound and control the transients better , but the carácter of the U87 on this shootout is more fun to listen to you can hear more clearly the tones of the voice . Great singer love it , thx

[@ArthurStone]

Thanks - awesome demo, great song : D The 87 sounds brighter and more present; the 47 more like a record.

[@indished8339]

Came for the microphone stayed and subbed for the singing, fantastic.

[@KendrickCreates]

Now that's how you do a demo. Especially love the production - feels more bluegrass. No fancy titles. Just pen and paper. Thanks Professor!

[@ProfessorDan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zeitakulobusta]

V cool! The 87 I heard what I saw you singing into the mic in the video. The 47 suddenly looked liked you were miming over a record. Reality vs extra-dimensional magic.

[@george1lennon]

Excellent comparison! and excellent music as well. They are both amazing mics, I think I prefer the U87 in this example. It seems more lightweight and fun for this type of song.

[@shawnandros2355]

First off, obviously no one could possibly say either sound less than fantastic. But gotta say a properly utilized U87 fills the sonic space a little fuller and sweeter to my ear.

[@BUZZYBUZZIE]

U47 sounds more smoother and clear however it's always down to the mixing

[@tourna-mix7557]

Fantastic video...both mics sounded incredible - how could they not with singing like this? The U87 had a much more pronounced "bite" in the midrange, which made it cut the mix in a more obvious way. I thought it sounded amazing. The U47 had a more mellow, full sound with a much warmer vibe....I think it probably suited this song better, and also sounded more tonally similar to Sally's vocals (which also had a smooth, round, warm sound). I don't know that I preferred one over the other from a "general quality" perspective but I do think the U47 fit the genre a little better....but man that U87 sounded GOOOOOD too! This was great - thanks for doing this! (just got a Stam SA-87 and was thinking of ordering their SA-47 tube...so this was cool for me to hear)

[@tonstudiometzingen]

awesome! I favored the u47, it fits the record better and has something that we describe as the "classy vintage sound". The u87 would give the song a more modern twist, and I think that would not fit as well as the 47.

[@ShaneMcCrae]

Love the song and the vocals are great. The mics were very similar but the 87 had a presence the 47 didn’t. Both great but I’d take the 87 based on this, which surprised me. You both have great voices.

[@petermazur2520]

Both are great, the choice would be what fits the song. I would choose 47 for this one.

[@rpa2001]

Just came for the microphone comparison but WOW! What a fantastic performance! This is REAL amazing music, thank you for sharing!

[@ProfessorDan]

Thank you so much, Rigpa!

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

I love both these legendary microphones.

[@damdremusic]

wow both sound great in their own ways. As a hip hop contemproary producer I'm leaning more toward getting the 87 since it has a modern bite to it that I like. The 47 has a very special sound thought. it sounds calm, controlled, and.... classic.

[@staticnationbeats]

U87 has a much more pronounced presence in the lows; kinda blown away how discernible the difference is through laptop speakers, let alone monitors. 47's got such a beautifully classic tone, so smooth up top and so distinct in the mids. Love both, and love the music too!

[@indransubramaniam763]

Good presentation..nice song man.👍👍

[@ariguth4852]

Best True Country Song and performance and harmony i have heard in years! Truly great! You and company are true country stars as big and great as the greatest! if you don't have a major recording deal I can't figure out what's wrong with the industry! I thought you were singing with Dolly--you both are that good! What preamp converter and daw are you using? It sounds like tape!!! Is it a vintage u87 or a new u87ai?😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@joseluiz9495]

I always listen to your songs. I have a small mic collection: akg. Eb and BTLII, Neumann U 87, and TLM 103. I live in Brasil. I intend to buy a U 47. Thanks for your videos. Jose' Luiz Filo'.

[@ProfessorDan]

Thanks, José! You will love the U47 once you get it. A wonderful investment.

[@MarkusWutte]

The most sympathetic comparison I've ever seen! Thanks very much! :)

[@EandVEntertainment]

That had me laughing. My U87 has been growing on me lately. Enough that I’m contemplating grabbing another one.... then I use my FleA 49 and I remember why I have two of those. I felt the same here. The U87 is really nice, clear, and has warmth to it. The U47 has class, weight, and that vintage style that is the sound of so many records I love. Congrats on getting your dream mic.

[@ProfessorDan]

It's almost a "what does the song need" choice. So many great mics!

[@EandVEntertainment]

@@ProfessorDan Which mic did you use on the album version, the FleA 47?

[@ProfessorDan]

@@EandVEntertainment I'm pretty sure it was the Flea 47. Nearly all the other vocals were a Peluso P12. They were recorded quite a few years back before I had the Flea.

[@rainbowgames1]

@@ProfessorDan Dan, I’m in love with the sound of this recording. I’ve been researching converters to try to achieve a sound like 1970s analog recordings and nothing so far has imaged and felt glued in the right way to achieve that sound. But this really comes close. Everything is very natural, musical and glued, not too hyped or clinical or bombastically large in the imaging. I don’t really get any glassy digital vibe at all and can actually feel the music in my body rather than as some abstraction in my head. You wrote in the notes that the converters are Metric Halo, which I’m not that familiar with. What specific unit and options do you have? There seem to be multiple variations of the product offered under that name.

[@ProfessorDan]

@@rainbowgames1 Thanks for the kind words. At home I use the Metric Halo Lio-8. In my opinion, converters these days are all pretty honest and contribute little to the analog "thing" you're describing. There's no one single component that does that, but typically a sum of parts working together starting with the musicians and their instruments, then the mics, preamps, and so on. Gear with transformers helps.

[@WilsonLeonard-h9o]

Beautiful vocals, and song. The mics are not what I expected. The U47 sounds a lil more scooped. higher highs and bigger lows but the U87 has a thickness too it.Both are great. Though on this recording I prefer the u-87

[@theebob2008]

Thanks for the comparison! The u87 really cut through, which I preferred. The u47 sound good too but it was a slightly different style.

[@djscorpie]

Great Performance ! Thank you sir ! both sounds incredible on your voice

[@1loveMusic2003]

Great voice man. Well performed.👍

[@stupendousmusic4190]

I've never been a fan of the U87, but it sounded really good here.The U47 just had something really special; I guess I would say, atmosphere or depth. I could use either one though.

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

Awesome singing you two! Mics sound great too.

[@LongCaoOfficial]

a very cute comprasion ;)

[@atomicrocker]

The U47 is number one in any case, while the U87 is a little more aggressive and sharp in the highs. The difference is very small, but very significant for the human ear and perceiving of music. Tube microphone preamp inside vs. FET preamp. Great song and voice!

[@peterm3964]

GREAT PERFORMANCE . And of course the mics were superb .

[@pml394]

thank you for the music - and the comparison . I think u87 suits you voice and this track.

[@rickenbacker40011]

you have very fun energy c:

[@andivax]

OMG dat U47. Thank you, Dan!

[@ProfessorDan]

It's a nice one!

[@RichardRolando]

u47 toda la vida!

[@ElMarko2000]

Just surfed in. What a great video, full of joy, humour & love of music. Not really my genre but I love this song too.

[@bertybert88]

They both great mics but for this song I think the U47 for your vocals and U87 for Sally vocals sound perfect in my opinion.. Btw nice song.

[@corneliuiftode1317]

Great comparison! Great musicians! Thx!

[@vintageaudioworkshop]

Good video and band! Is the recorded album with all vox on u47?

[@FamousTVvoice]

Listening through Genelec's, cranked ... and I prefer the U87!

[@aesoundforge]

Yea forget the mics, the music is great. Great singing and great song!

[@ludovicmorelon6771]

Very cool. The 87 seems more backward and the 47 more in front. I find the 47 to sounds more clear, large, open and close. To my ears they both sound amazing. At first when i've listened to the 47 i've preferded the 87 cause the 47 was to realistic but at the end I think i prefer the 47...

[@teashea1]

very nicely done

[@willrousseau]

Great video, great music, superb demonstration! Thank you!

[@ProfessorDan]

Thanks, Will!

[@LosFicosMusic]

U47 by Far

[@manuchalud7455]

Prefer u87

[@spritemasters9719]

super cool brother

[@JeroBagg]

The 47 is like film. The 87 is like video.

[@andrewhocher]

Really like the clarity in which the 87 captures all your nice low end textures and has a nice open airiness to it. I wonder if there's a mic that's a combination of a 47 and 87 because that would be perfect haha

[@thejorgensens8357]

the U67

[@binarymilton]

Proof that if you have a good voice and you know what to do with it, the mic really doesn't make any difference. Any differences I might or might not have heard are pure speculation really.

[@dtenor201]

They both sound great! I'd like to see the AEA R84 compared to these. I saw a video where you go between a Flea 47 and an R84. I thought the R84 sounded much better. But that could be the fig.8 pattern?

[@ronedwards8239]

The U87 has a more direct sound. Where as a tube condenser has that wider diffused sound. Actually prefer the U87 on his voice.

[@Hey_John]

my style u47!!

[@jeremylynch5182]

Great video!

[@ProfessorDan]

Thanks for the visit

[@lush462]

Wow how did you handbuilt preamp and la2a? You used some kit?

[@ProfessorDan]

No. My preamps and La2a are hand-built.

[@dweingast]

His voice is very well suited for 6BOTH mics. And he is a great singer. I cannot sing thru a u87 i sound terrible on it. I need a u 67 or a u 47. but this gentlemen , both mics work well for his voice. depending upon the , what yu are looking for Byt if i had to choose one i thin the 87 sounds a bit more present and sits better in the song for him. =

[@ProfessorDan]

Thanks for the observation, David. Both mics are very nice in different ways.

[@sojournerfornow]

What preamp are you using, bro? Nice pipes!

[@crislopezshow7887]

great song and singing. i was wondering what tube and capsule is on this u47? thanks

[@ProfessorDan]

Thanks, Chris. This U47 is entirely orginal in every way with K47 capsule and VF14 tube. Every resistor and component is as it left the factory.

[@crislopezshow7887]

@@ProfessorDan awesome. what a gem :)

[@maximosk8]

Hello Dan, i like you're sound and you're song ! It's great. But which pramps do you use please for you're vocal ? I just bought a u87 Vintage and I’d like to do the same kind of music as you, but i don't know what preamp it's good for this, for my vocal. I've a Appolo Twin currently. Thanks for you help.

[@ProfessorDan]

Hi Maxime. Thank you for the comment. On this sample, I was using vacuum tube preamps that I design and build myself. I would suggest that a 1073-type preamp would be a good pair for a vintage U87 as well.

[@maximosk8]

@@ProfessorDan Thanks you so much for your feedback Dan ! Yess i would like so much a 1073 ( but a original xD) but i thinks that it's very difficult to find it and it's more expansive. I see reissue / copie / clone of 1073 by BAE or Warm Audio or Vintech X73i. For you which it's better ? It's very different that a Neve 1073 preamp UAD ? Thank you for your help and advise.

[@ProfessorDan]

@@maximosk8 We have the Vintech at our studio and I have a few of the the AML EZ1073, which I built from kits, saving some money. You might look into them.

[@maximosk8]

@@ProfessorDan Hello Dan, thanks you. Yes i'm going to look them ! Waiting your feedback i see also the a DIY NV73 of Don's Classique, it seems to be a good option too. The way seems to be right. :) But do you sell the preamp that you make yourself like this one in your vidéo : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpucl2OFaNOprbs ? I prefer your preamp that the Neve 1073 seriously :)

[@crislopezshow7887]

very catchy tune!

[@Fos3tex]

Screw the mics. You should have a record contract.

[@jarekb2043]

Thanks a lot for very informative comparison!!! Both mics sounds great and have their place. For this song => U47. It's weird these mics start all with U (ubertrager?) and end on 7.... Would love to hear how that happened :)

[@thejorgensens8357]

the 47 came out in 1947 the 87 is the FET version of the U67 that came out in 1967 to have a differnce in mics the need the FET version is called the U 87. So guess what year the M49 came out?.......949

[@jsebtarot5006]

I prefer U87 more detail!.

[@RockmannMusic]

Nice : )

[@thegreatsiberianitch]

87 fits the mix betters

[@jameslugo]

87 on this. 47 is to wooly and soft.

[@TheJonOsborne]

U47 for the win. The u87 just sounds like a u87 🤦‍♂️

[@francois936]

87 sounds thinner than 47.

[@ProfessorDan]

The 87 is nice, but I really love the 47.

[@lumpyfishgravy]

U47 has more beef

[@scott7521]

The U47 has a different name than the U87.

[@isaacgonzalezdiaz]

U 47 ¡¡¡

[@jameslugo]

87 all the way, 47 is boring and too warm.