Are the Sphere U87 Mic Models a Joke? 

I almost made the thumbnail for this video a picture of a rack of ribs next to a picture of a McRib sandwich.

Agreed. I'm wondering if the Sphere even brought 90 percent to the party.

I agree. It sounds artificial, which is a big no-no in VO today, and maybe that's a lot of why I feel so repulsed by it now. LOL. It really is the McRib of u87s.

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff hey now. I luv McRibs!!! Got a luv mystery meat!!!

That’s the only reason to own one.

Dan, that is an extremely intuitive analysis of it. I hadn’t thought of it like that and I think you nailed it.

​@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff Cheers! I appreciate your consistent videos! As a 'Pro Audio Nerd' myself, I'm not satisfied with just "buy this mic and don't think about it," so your concept of the "tone quest" really speaks to me; including the idea that the "tone quest" is never really done! When you're playing the role of Recording Engineer, being hyper critical and "obsessed" with your sound is part of the process for making everything sound "effortless." Of course, if one _isn't_ a 'Pro Audio Nerd,' just buying an industry standard and never thinking about it again is perfectly fine! I worked at a music store for a bit of time, and there is always a question that most people (especially parents) ask: "What's the difference between a $150, $300, $500, or $1000 Guitar?" It's a genuinely good question, and it deserves a genuine, thoughtful answer. You could start explaining the difference between machine-made and hand-made objects, or the choice of materials, but really, especially with Guitars (and especially with parents buying for their kids), the single most important aspect is Enjoyment. Does the guitar inspire you? If you think a Guitar looks cool and sounds good and feels good to play, then you're FAR more likely to want to display it (instead of shoving it in a closet), pick it up, and pluck the strings. This is EXTREMELY important when someone is first beginning to play, but it's nearly just as important for a veteran of 10+ years, too! Is a $60 pawn shop guitar "good?" It depends on what you have available! If the choice is "$60 Pawn Shop Guitar," or "No Guitar at All," then by-golly that's the world's greatest guitar! However, if you have access to additional funds (i.e. you have EXTRA money that can you spend, and you won't become financially unstable spending "extra"), then spending more on a mic that you think is pretty, or sounds _gorgeous_, or just makes you feel "professional," can have a massive influence on your motivation and inspiration to get in front of it, practice, look for work, and hone your skills! I would argue that the "Neumann Tax" and prestige is, in part, because of this! If you watch every mic comparison video you can find (like me), you'll even notice this when engineers get vocalists to A/B microphones. You can often see the performer _excited_ that they're singing into a Legendary, EXPENSIVE Neumann microphone. This inspiration affects their performance. Does that mean the Neumann is actually better? Well, if your performer is EXCITED just to sing into it, then it is absolutely "better" for the job.

@@DapperDanLovesYou Very good points indeed, Dapper Dan! Feeling inspired does create an environment from which inspired performances happen and an inspired performance could be the difference between fulfilling your goals or not. When the stakes are raised and it's your livelihood on the line, there's much less room for personal interpretation of what can and can't work and only results that matter. Comparatively, the investment needed for professional level audio gear is much less than the startup costs of most other service businesses. You'd drop at least $5-10k if you wanted to start a power-washing or carpet cleaning business. For the hobbyist or those dipping their toes in the water, the best solution is to get the best you can afford and, like you said, continue to focus on the quality of your product and grow.

Yes. I think that is where the Sphere shines. As a "measurement" device to get an idea what may work on what. Also, from what I've been told, it really was only ever developed as a music making tool, and while that distinction may seem to also lean into what I do, it's obvious the Sphere does best when it can be tucked into a mix. The Slate totally lost the mic modeling wars long ago. It was yesterday's hotness for a minute and now it's a footnote to a legacy of "coulda, woulda, shoulda".

I have heard that about the 47 model being the better 87. That is pretty hilarious. Makes me wonder what 47 Townsend used to model it. LOL. Congrats on your new Neumanns! Put them to good use!

Totally. As much as I bought into the marketing and let my confirmation bias be my guide, the lack of that genuine physical interaction between the capsule and a transformer can’t be ignored. If one likes the tone of the Sphere then that’s awesome, but at best it’s an homage to the greats. It’s a wax museum of famous mics.

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff yes well said

But which one would you rather be on for that big audition? Which one would you want representing your brand's sound? That's the ultimate question.

Great question. You may get something that gets closer but the main issue is that a transformer built into a mic interacts with the impedance and frequency response in a way that affects how the capsule behaves. It can smooth out high frequencies, boost lower frequencies, or add harmonic content as part of the microphone’s inherent design. When you run a transformerless mic’s signal through a transformer post-preamp, the transformer is working with a more robust, line-level signal. This might give you some of the desired harmonic richness or saturation, but it won’t replicate the subtle impedance and interaction effects that happen when the transformer is part of the mic’s original design.

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff yep. You’re absolutely right. Ain’t nothing like the real thing, man. You proved that today. I wanted so much for the Townsend to be awesome, because then making and sharing mic recipes with friends online would be just the COOLEST. I still think there’s a place for it, but man, I haven’t opened that case for more than a year. I wonder if I should sell my Townsend. No. I’ll use it to do comparisons in the future, for better or for worse. This has been an awesome eye-opening video. Thank you!

Yup. Foggy is a great way to describe the vintage 87 model.

I think the confirmation bias is very high on the Sphere. Many, like myself, wanted it to be an equivalent experience. Like you said, it is not.

You’re right. Even with all the technological advances of the last six decades, the 87 still can’t be matched, which says a lot. Yet, people still convince themselves that sound can be bought for a fraction of the price.

If you do, let me know if get a chance.

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff I will try! I bought/use the Townsend for a mobile rig and never once thought that it would sound exactly like the real mics. I just needed to get things "in the ball park" and create a similar workflow with using the Apollo Twin, UAD plugins, and a Macbookpro when I'm on the go. It's much better than hauling a small rack of hardware around lol. However, I do make it a point to completely finish any vocal recordings for a song using the same setup. Keeping the vocal sound consistent will mean less issues during the mix process especially when copying plugin settings from track to track.

@@Doctaj54 This is where I think the Sphere is in its wheelhouse: Demos. Putting things together at the pre-production stage and getting ideas of what will work when it comes to doing the master recording.

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff It's been used way pass that point. I know of at least 2 projects where is was used and they received Grammy nominations. Not my particular mic but other Townsend mics. But again, I would never mix mics if I can help it. ex: using a U87 for part of the vocals and then the Townsend for the rest of the vocals on that song. I feel it will create issues down the line.

Hey Curtis! Yup, somewhere between the marketing and our desperation to find "that" mic is the lie that we all told ourselves about the Sphere being "as good as". But the truth, alas, reveals all. You are so right. There is nothing like a Neumann.

Apollo 8 Duo

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff wot no Neumann interface?

@@zeitakulobusta Had to have them on an even playing ground and put the u87 on the Apollo, to try and make it as fair as possible.

As a former drinker of the Sphere Kool Aid, I can relate. But with every hour we spend with our tools, so grows our experience and understanding of why some tools are better than others despite any confirmation bias we hold onto.

Not only did I drink the UA Kool Aid, I swam around naked in the barrel while I was drinking it, and then unfortunately a bunch of people drank from that same barrel, which we will never speak of again except to our therapists.

Then the MT48 came along and cured us... Or maybe we're just drinking the Neumann Kool aid now?

@@MarkVO the Neumann cool aid is more like a fine wine.