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Dayo
Cinquecento
Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Posts: 544
Location: UK
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 Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 9:50 am Post subject: And the answer to quest is.... |
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That's it. I'm done. After 25 years searching, at least 20 mics and as many pre-amps, the quest is over. I've reached creamy, punchy, sparkling sonic heaven:
A Neumann U87ai into an AMS-Neve 1073 DPA.
As an long-winded aside:
The bitter, ironic, almost tragic thing is this: I already had this mic chain back in the mid nineties but I talked myself into trading the (vintage) 1073 modules so I could get into digital recording with an Akai DR4D.
That was some mistake.
I literally threw the Akai on the skip a few years ago, along with the "massive" 1 gig SCSI drive. Those old 1073's now go for anything up to $5000 each.
Anyway, the truth is that my booth and monitoring was a bit crappy back then so the chain I'm raving about now didn't shine like this. And I must admit that the AMS reissue sounds even better than I remember the old modules, though no EQ of course.
And don't let anyone tell you that only purple badge U87's have the full compliment of mojo. I'll take the lower noise floor of the AI version any day.
Anyway, I'm done. Now, if only I could crack the performance part of the equation I'll be completely happy. That might take another decade or two though!
Did I mention I was happy?
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Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9882
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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Colin,
I think you are being excessively modest on the performance side of the equation. When I grow up I hope to be half as good as you.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Dayo I have also pretty much done a 360 when it comes the Holy Grail mic search. Or actually, make it 360 X 3 or 4 (whatever that comes to)
U87ai into John Hardy here |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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| So what does this mean for the U47 FET and the Brauner Valvet? |
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Dayo
Cinquecento
Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Posts: 544
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| bobsouer wrote: | Colin,
I think you are being excessively modest on the performance side of the equation. When I grow up I hope to be half as good as you. |
Behave yourself Bob! That's very charming but please don't ever grow up will you?
Rob...
The U47 FET wasn't a keeper; I had it here on trial for a week. In truth, it was a tone that divided opinion. I loved it on Emma's voice: she hated it. I didn't care for it on my voice: one of my clients raved about it. It just felt kind of lumpy to work - not liquid enough.
The Brauner? Well, I've still got lot of time and respect for it but right now there's just something about the U87/1073 combo that puts the energy right in the pocket.
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Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations on ending your GAS.
I still loves me my Purple Badge!
Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah I have a lot of respect for the 47 but that sound may be just a little too old school |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations on ending your GAS.
I still loves me my Purple Badge!
Frank F
Oh, did I mention in am the top 14% for posts 
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | And don't let anyone tell you that only purple badge U87's have the full compliment of mojo. I'll take the lower noise floor of the AI version any day. |
I'm confused, as my lowly non-vintage U87ai has a purple badge......
(at least it looks purple....I guess it could be magenta) |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Don't be confused. It is normal. Aside of a few very early 1966/67 U87 that were fitted with a U67/M269/U77 housing tube with black badge, all U87 had a purple badge, in varying hues, but always in the 'purple' family. This was all true through the mid to late 70's.
The current U87Ai is a shade or two different from that of the Original/vintage U87's. On top of the badge shade of purple there are various other differences between the "purple badge" 87's including power supplies, and connectors.
At one point around 1976 or thereabout, the BLUE badge U87 came into play and has three unique versions of those microphones.
Mine is/was an original First Edition of the Purple Badge with a very low number. I miss it. (long, long, long story behind that, so I will not indulge.)
Frank F
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com
Last edited by Frank F on Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Frank I would wager that it misses you as well |
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FinMac
Lucky 700
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Posts: 705
Location: In a really cool place...Finland!
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:53 pm Post subject: The right medicine |
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Congrats Colin on finding the right medicine for your GAS.
The fact that you found it gives me hope  , but I hope my search is shorter than yours!
Would you happen to have any samples you can post ?
Cheers!
_________________
www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland
"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown) |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9882
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 10:03 am Post subject: |
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| Dayo wrote: | ... please don't ever grow up will you?
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Colin,
In another 8 days it will be 61 years on this planet for me and I'm no where near grown up. I think there's little danger. 
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch |
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