Got a M149 - Should I buy a U47tube to record vocals?
Steve Rhodes
I've got a Neumann M149 Tube to record my vocals.
I was wondering if there's a great difference between the M149 and a good U47tube?
What would you prefer?
Steve
rme London
The Mic Shop
They have a unique thing going on that is only approached by a good M-49
or M-249. The M-149, I think, you will find less full bodied and
deffinately less "urgent and focused" than a good U-47.
Fletcher
I thought that too at first...as I played more with the M-149 I found it
to be a bit more versatile than a good U-47...nothing can replace the
tone of a good U-47, but if used in the appropriate applications, they
complement each other quite nicely...I've also found the M-149 a bit
more all purpose, and to take EQ and compression a bit better...not
gospel, just my experience...BTW, I have 2 U-47's and 1 149
(personally)...so I'm not knocking one against the other...
--
Fletcher
Mercenary Audio
The Mic Shop
The U-47, however, has something that I've never heard in any other
mic. Its a presence and kick you in the balls kinda feeling that is
unique. I have also had an M-149. Nice shock mount! Bill
Fletcher
Can't argue about the unique tone and character of a good U-47...but you
should really try the M-149 in a variety of applications...after years
of coming out with dogs like the TLM-170, the U-89, the TLM-193,
etc...they have come out with a microphone truly worthy of the Neumann
logo...will it ever replace a good U-47, not in this or any other
lifetime, will it complement a good mic collection...damn straight it
will...and yeah I do like the shock mount, but find it a bit of a pain
in the ass to put on the mic...
--
Fletcher
Mercenary Audio
TEL: 508-543-0069
FAX: 508-543-9670
http://www.mercenary.com
Monte P McGuire
In article <349F0D...@mercenary.com>,
Fletcher <Flet...@mercenary.com> wrote:
>Can't argue about the unique tone and character of a good U-47...but you
>should really try the M-149 in a variety of applications...after years
>of coming out with dogs like the TLM-170, the U-89, the TLM-193,
I gotta step in here and say that you should try the TLM170 in
hypercardioid. The cardioid pattern of the KK89 capsule _is_ very
boring sounding (and that's why I think the 193 is not such a runaway
hit; it's only pattern is a dog IMHO). However, that same capsule
sounds really great in hyper. It's one of my favorites for close
miked toms and close-ish overheads. The off axis response is sweet,
the proximity effect is there, but the midrange isn't too sucked out,
as it can sometimes be on cardioid. Sure, the 170 in hyper is not as
forward as a 103, but it's not as sucky as it is in cardioid either.
Give it a second listen... if you liked the TLM103, you'll find that
they complement each other well. Yes, it's a clean-ish sound, but
it's also a very big sound that doesn't fold up easily with loud or
complex material; that usually works well for those times when more
than one instrument is picked up by the mike.
Regards,
Monte McGuire
mcg...@world.std.com
Richard Haile
The Mic Shop wrote:
>
> There's a reasonable difference between a good U-47 and ANY other mic.
> They have a unique thing going on that is only approached by a good M-49
> or M-249.
While we're kind of on the subject of vintage Neumanns, I've been
offered the use of a couple of M-49s for a session I'm doing. Having
never had my greasy fingers on one and not being sure how long I will
have these, I would like to reduce the amount of time I will need
getting up to speed. While I may not end up using one of the M-49s, I'd
like to at least give them a fair try. So, any (experienced) advice
regarding placement quirks, pattern vs coloration, etc. would be
appreciated. I'll be miking a solo singer (baritone) in a program of
standards (Hoagy Carmichael, Rodger and Hart, et al.).
Thanks,
RLHaile
F.
Oh boy...
1) Both the U47 and the 149 are well-made mics, both kick ass in specific
applications. Don't ask if you should buy a 47, try both and pick the one
you like. Which leads us to...
2) USE YOUR EARS. That is why God stuck them to your skull. Fletcher is
great. Bill Bradley is great. Clearmountain is great. Massenburg is
great. I do alright. Any and all opinions mean jack if it's not working
for you so try before you buy. Listen, listen, listen, and I'm sure all of
the above will agree. Speaking of listening...
3) TLM 170? Give me a break. If you want to do vocals (or anything else)
you're on the right track w/ the killer Neumanns, new and old. If you want
to wedge the studio door open, grab the TLM. Actually, I've heard it sound
OK (through a Forsell preamp) but it's never blown me away.
F.
Make It Work Productions
Ty Ford
In Article <349EDEE3...@rage.demon.co.uk>, Steve Rhodes
<st...@rage.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>I've got a Neumann M149 Tube to record my vocals.
>I was wondering if there's a great difference between the M149 and a good
U47tube?
>What would you prefer?
>
>Steve
>rme London
Hi teve,
My experience with both is that the M149 is quite a bit brighter and more
open sounding -- the U47 (you're talking about the tube version?) is warmer
and thicker. While you're at it, see if you can get your hands on a U67.
Engineer Tony Eichler here in MD has one with two different vacuum tubes.
One of those tubes sounds exceptional.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Ty's equipment reviews and Audio Archives are available from
www.jaguNET.com/~tford. He currently has a 16-bit, 44.1 sample of the new
Neumann TLM 103 mic there for download.
Palermo141
Personally I think the TLM-193 is a good sounding mic better than most U87s
I've heard. The Tele U-47 is my favorite mic of all.
With regards to the M149, I still can reconsile the skew frequency I've heard
using the 149 with most transparent ancilliary gear. A mic pre thats very
vintagey that lops of the high end and bubbles up the low to lower mids , then
the M149 is the hugest mic I've ever heard but I find it very very dependent
and selective regarding the micpre.
A friend of mine made me a dat tape of the C12VR, Sony C-800, M149, TLM193 snf
LawsonL47 on just his voice thru a Joe Meek Tube channel w/o compression.
Of all the mics on his voice, to my ears the L47 sounded best with the C-800
close behind and the TLM193 on its heals. I didn't much care for the C12VR as
it sounded slightly sluggish and closed in .
But all of these mics had a similar spectral balance except for the M 149 which
hyped-up the mid frequencies to such a degree that the spectral balance of the
M149 was noticebly different than the rest of the mics. With the M149 the
midrange body of his voice was thinned out and the voice took on this sparkly
sheen though unfortunately not without a little added harshness.
-Steve
Comments?