Manley Reference Cardioid Vs Neumann U87 Ai 

Both microphones perform wonderfully. I believe it's a matter of taste. They both cut through the mix well. I did enjoy the tone and color that was achieved with the Manley as a matter of taste. The U87 is a beast as well. You know that you're getting a great signal in with such a great and iconic sounding microphone. That being said, the boost in higher freq's added a clarity that I really liked and I think I'd go for the Manley in this shoot out. Thanks for the vid.

They both sounded amazing 💯

IMO: I don't know whether it was the delivery or sound but I prefer the Manley Reference Cardioid purely for vocals.

Amazing camera and lighting work! I put a Mullard 12AX7 ECC83 in my Manley Ref C. Blows the stock tube away!!!

I never heard of either brand until clicking this video - I'm a novice. I just searched Manely and your video came up. I liked both for different reasons. The Neumann sounded more full, yet distant. What we're used to. The Manley sounded more personal, purer in a way. Felt like you were a person. Great video, Yo!

Awsome comparison. I'd go for the Neumann and get a tube preamp to give it what I feel it needs, like the Manley Core. I think that could be an increidble match.

I really like the sound of the manley mic.. it sounds amazing !!!

I was in the exact same situation as you were, I ultimately went with the U87ai for the full-ness and how smooth it is. The Manley is fantastic as well, I just found myself spending too much time on sibilance. Honestly at this price point, mics don't get much better, they get DIFFERENT. If you are in the market at this price point, do yourself a favor and A & B these microphones on YOUR voice. Excellent video man, thank you for your time and effort put into this vid.

Your description of the differences is spot on. Also I believe the neumann had your vocals sounding smoother...Just my opinion.

Love both actually. The Manley is more 3 dimensional with a bit of that beautiful high end saturation halo. The Neumann sounds smoother and warmer. I dig both. Great comparison.

By the way, you did a very great video I got to say I watch the whole thing. Great job.

I like the u87 the manley sounded a little thin and bright I really preferred the U 87 but I want both mics

Damn... IDK. I do like the natural sound of the u87.

very informative thank you!

its easier to subtract than it is to add, never experienced either mics before but I would surely purchase the Manley reference and subtract sibilance if I wanted it to feel more like nueman

The Manley is an exciting microphone strictly because it's so bright in the presence frequencies and pops out of the mix. I have used both and prefer the 87 and I have a nasally voice as well. The sibilance on the Manley can be difficult to tame. Both incredible microphones nonetheless.

damn bro i like both!!!

Thanks for the videos bro. I was wondering if those comparison samples was through the Heritage Audio preamp. I was at AES last year shopping for a new condenser mic, and I've tried the 87 and the manley. Its funny how when you listening to a review sample of a product compared to actually using it are so different because I've always love the end result of the manley on vocals but when I sang through it completely perspective. Though I must admit I had no control over the preamp settings and the environment around me. lol. But I still hear good thing about this mic.

I'm trying to grind just to achieve a mic for my music

great review

Bro dope video I'm literally looking to choose either the u87 or the manley. But I'm also getting the neve 1073 and the tube tech cl 1b I'm geeked up bout this joint on god.

U87 is the perfect canvas for processing quite frankly. Love it way more. Fuller too

I have Manley reference now and have a good deal on a brand new u87. I make modern r&b and rap with autotune and all that. Which mic would be better? I like the Manley but I hate the maintenance of heating it up every session. Would I notice a drop in quality switching to the u87?

I heard this comparison a while ago and came back to it. I started nodded my head more on the U87 especially the "been on a mission to get yo attention" part. That part made me realize i like the detail the U87 has in the lows and mids. I do like the Manley brightness. But to me it lacks detail that the u87 has. Both great mics.

At first I liked the Neumann, but then I thought about the applications of each. The Manley would be better suited towards aggressive VOX like hard rock where it can pierce through the mix. The Neumann would be better I think over music where the VOX carry the song, like Bryan Adams music where a full voice is needed. Very helpful comparison, thanks for taking the time. Also you have good rhythm.

For me the U87 just sounded so smooth. I'd be willing to bet all you'd need is a very broad 1-2dB cut in the mids in the 300-800hz range and a small 1dB boost in the 12k range and the U87 would be mint. In the mix, it just sounded natural, and smooth. The Manley is cool, but it's missing some of that smoothness in the top and even in the low mids. Bless

I think its subjective. The u87 emphasized the midrange in a way that added a bit of growl and grit. Not sure if it was due to the performance. The Manley is a lot smoother. It being a tube will smooth out the transients. I would be curious to see the wave pattern on the recording.

Fo Sho Miguel...nice video! On dry vocals they both sound aight! Processed with that echo they both sounded too bright. On the mix, I can hear with my Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohms the full body and clear presence of the U87, despite the Manly being a Tube it sounded a bit, just a tad bit not neutral but opaque. Nuff Said!

I do prefer the u87ai with the given examples, but if the manley C is giving you the sound you want right out the gate (bright modern vocal) then thats a great reason to stick with it. Btw dope flow👌

The manley holds up. How does the proximity effect compare on these?

Happy with my U87ai 🥲. It sounds fuller, richer and smoother. Add / Subtract can happen later. Also a nice EQ channel strip would do the needful. I'd go for U87ai with Manley Massive Passive (maybe). Manley Mic sounds a bit thinner overall. Bright, but thinner. Less full bodied. But good comparison. Thank you!

U87 sounds smoother. The Manley gives you more of a rugged and nasty vibe ( which is fire though ) it gave much more grit to the vocal.

With the processed vocals what was the vocal chain ? Did you use any analog gear ?

I like the sharp,flat,slight punchy in mix and slight thin all in one with the Manley mic so I chose mainley but I’ll use a u87 depending on the artist vocal range or certain mixes but I prefer manley

Manley sounds good without any analog for sure right out of box

I love the u87, sound very real 😍

Great info.. video and comments! I have a Gauge ECM47. Comparable to the U87. I actually thought it sounded a bit better. Now I'm considering moving on to the Manley. I have a buddy who has 1. Sounds amazing in person! I personally prefer it over the U87. This video was helpful. I probably will move on to the Manley!

I love that manley microphone

I would love the Manley. I don't want to have to create a high end as much with something like that. That on a 1073 and something else warm,hell yes.

The U87 is way fuller which is what I prefer because I can always subtract with eq’ing. It’s better to have everything there so you can subtract later.

Tht Manley brought u more upfront to me. Thts the one.

Both kickin ass...my brutha has the Manley Gold and I have the Neumann...I can say the Manley is definitely a lil brighter both I really love the warmth of the Neumann...just a matter of taste really...can't miss with either one if you got da bread! Good review tho my dude...track sounds good keep pushin!

Because the Manley's mid/ high freq response is more forward than the Neumann, ,it popped vox out from the beat playing background , hence this made it heard like a kareoke stuff whereas when I was listening the recording with the Neumann it made me feel more like the guy was with the orchestra or with the band, I mean like were playing music together but Manley was a solo Vocalist + a music playing background.... Thanks for the comparision it helped a lot!

They both placed you inside the track which is good! U87 handled the S's but the Ref C seem to shine the warm tones. How did they sound with your dubs or other vocalist?

I own the Manley Ref C. On your vocal... I much prefer the Neumann U87 to be honest.

I hear what you like about the manley in the track but the u87 is so right in the mids. Its a nice v curve. I feel like if you simply eq'd the 87 into a v curve it will give you what you like about the manley but be even better in the mids while remaining versatile. Worth a try.

Depends on if you want to sound like meek mill or rick ross (Manley Ref C) or if you want to sound like Future, Lil Baby, NBA Young Boy , e.t.c (U87) Although, both mics really shine through a high end pre. For singing the Avalon M5 with the Manley was my go to chain. For the u87 either a 737 or if you want huge vocals. vin tech x73i and a optical compressor.

I have the manley reff microphone I bough it last year is a great microphone but it has to much of background noise i have had to re record session because of the noise i think i would prefer the u87 since it a low noise background

The Manley cuts through the mix and suits your voice more. The Heritage preamp should help push the vocal even more forward in the mix. A dynamic EQ or de-esser plugin would help with the sibilant frequencies.

Booth mic sounds great! I think you need just a little be more acoustic treatment with those mics or control your projection... If you use a external mic preamp, like Manley Voxbox, Avalon or any preamp 173, booth mic will sound different too...Great video!

This is a great comparison video. The Manley really sits in the mix in a nice way. The U87 has a lot more weight but Im not sure if that's a good thing for Rap.

I use to own the Manley and I prefer its sound on your vocal

Do anyone of you know Chandler TG mic? And how is tat comparing to Manley ref?

Greetings, great video. The u87ai sounded full, the manley sounds very thin. I think that the u87ai wins hands down, but it comes down to personal choice.

Hey Bro, I had several mic (Aston origin, WA-87, Austrian Audio OC-18, TLM 103, AT4047 and now the Lauten Audio FC-357 Clarion) For sibilance issues the TLM 103 and the OC-18 were awful .. really. I used the unison preamps of the apollo but I found that they sounded muffled (boxy) I bought an external preamp (Golden Age PREMIER Pre-73) and with my Clarion it's a magical combo. I would like to test the Manley Reference! Big up of Paris.

The Neumann for your voice for sure

Good video bro thanks for sharing 👍 next tip run it through tube tech mk2 CL1B ;) freakin smooth compressor do -->

The manley is actually smoother to my ears it just has that expensive extended modern top end sound. You have to get a pre with both mics. 1073 for manley. 737 for 87

I’ve always wanted a neumann u87, but honestly the manly sounds so much better. I have a JZ microphone black hole series 1 and am looking to upgrade so this video helps a lot.

i agree. I was also going to get the u87 but after a few studio seshes I noticed it sounded muddy on my voice. I sing alot more than rap and in a higher register. I just got my ref c and holy shit it blows the u87 out the water for me. granted every mic suits everyone's voice different, but for me the manley is the clear winner

U87 all day long though I’d like EQ the Manley mic to see what I could do with it, a few friend use both and have said the Manley is got a more modern sound whatever that means? Probably mean a little more brighter in the top end. Both great mics though

They both sounded good. I can see why you went with the Manley. The Manley is more present. I noticed in the processed take, you over eqd the low mids out of the U87, so the Manley sounded warmer in the final mix. It’s a toss up for which I liked more on the final mix, but I will say that the Manley sounded more full and natural in the mix. I’m still not sure which I liked in the final mix though. It all really comes down to preference. Both sounded good. Manley is probably better for modern rap. U87 better for 90s style sound.

Manley sounds very sharp? needs ton of de-esser?

He intentionally made the U87 sound worse, compare the quality of his comparison of the U87 with the TLM 102 against the takes in this, and it's pretty obvious.

The Manley is smother and a lot wider in the mix. The Neaumann has real nice detail but the Manley has a much bigger sound in the mix. Real smooth.

u87sounds more upfront that make the vocals sound more controlled. the Manley sound open with more top end sounds like a background/chorus mic

I don't use either mics. I use a behringer b2 condenser mic but the manley does sound cleaner in my opinion

The u87. Ames your vocal sound more up front and full while the Manley makes your vocals sound more open. I feel the manly allows the instruments to shiny through more while the u87 site better in the mix. Both are good tho if used in the right conditions

Definitely Manley I already knew this. Because I have one and I worked on that you u 47 for many years. And I mean for like 14 years straight and I hated the vocals, but I also was working for a studio. No one in any studio that I’ve been in has the Manley but I have work on a lot of their outboard gear and I already knew that that microphone with sound great. It has a different type of sound that sits very well and most every track that I’ve done sometimes I have to switch it up to get a more warmer sound, but other than that, it’s a great investment, the best that I ever did in my life and I have seven Grammys so I know what the best sounds like

Running a high end mic with a external preamp is the answer.

I'm feeling that Manley honestly even though the U87 is also a great mic.. The Manley sounds more aggressive and fits the song more in my opinion.. Goals is to have both of these mics though..

Owned 2 u87ai’s and traded my last one for the Manley with no regrets!

I don't notice a big difference. I think the Manley maybe sounds a little "sharper."

I’m currently in a similar situation. I have the chance to trade my u87ai for a Manley ref C (used) straight swap or trade it in to my local music store and pay the diff for it brand new. This vid help a lot whether or not to go for it.

The manley sounds a bit more aggressive but I like that sound more 🤔

That u87 sat well in the mix fr but alone the Manley.

Your video made me glad I still have my Manley mic I had the Manley Core channel strip but sold to scale down some and use the money to get the slate VRS8. I loved the mic with the elop compressor on the Manley core so maybe one day I’ll get the stand alone elop plus compressor but that would really be it on the external hardware

Why did you stopped making videos ?

Honestly, Manley sounds much more saturated and it really suited the trap music, with your voice. If it is geared more toward singing and pop type of sound, i would prefer u87

I like both but the Manley sit in the mix well. I think u87 sounds better and needed to be mix better. Two great mics.

Solo, the Manley is brighter and seems like it would cut through more. But in the mix, the u87 beats it, hands down. The vocals cut through, and are easier to hear. I would like to hear the vocals in the mix unmixed.

That u87 sounded way better in my opinion!

Have the same issues with my voice, nasality and vibrato. I can hear it.

I have a ref c im curious about the u87ai ....I like the full body if the u87 thats why I've been thinking about parting was with the Manley my voice is raspy and high pitched like yours and I think the 87 fits your voice better..I think the 87 can be mixed to sound like a ref c .....but on the other hand the Manley has that finished sound that I love u87 is just true to source .....and yes you need a external pre the Apollo is cool if u have a limited budget and it will definitely help tame the Manley either way u can't lose

U87 vs u89?

U89 vs manley?

In this comparsion the Manley was more saturated sounding than the neumann.. You could get out more of the neumann.. let the signal glow.. Then when you would recompare both signals.. the manley sounds harsh the neumann not.. This is just a thought don t get me wrong. I haven t tried it out. If you would fix the harshness, the high end would lack of "in your face" sound whereas the neumann should sit perfectly.

manley is perfect you just gotta have the right preamp with it like a avalon would take care of those sibilances although the redd 47 will deff take care of it

I think manley is a bit thin and harsh u87 sounds more fuller and warmer to me

U87 sounds more open. Manley seems warmer and has a cupped type sound. Both sound great but the U87 sounds more open and natural to me.

Manley sound good .. I’ll be real but I do feel you mixed the Manley a lot better .than you did the 87

The best u87

The sizzle on the Manley unbalances the EQ. The u87ai is just right, in where the vox should be. Again on the Manley, we hear more texture and depth but it is of no use in this setting because we want transient et good balance to hear clearly without distraction.

Manley sound 🔥 i didnt even need the headphones you can hear the difference

u87 sounds more natural and sits in the mix. Manley sounds brighter but both could work just depends on what sound you're going for.

Interesting, I was preferring the Manley right up until you played them both in the mix, then the Neumann just sat better in the mix. The Manley in the mix sounded constricted by comparison. Both great sounding mics though.

Both mics sound good, but the Manley's processing of the vocals does sound brighter and better. The Neumann sounds more natural. But in this game I think that the more processing that you have to your vocals before the mix is always better. Why because in the mix you won't have to for example do the extra work of using reverbs, eq, compressors because the mic already took care of some of that for you in the recording. Now with a more natural sounding voice/recording you will put a little bit more work to fix that. The Neumann is amazing don't get me wrong, but in the end you will always have to put more work to make your voice sound the way that you want for yourself. Maybe someone else with a brighter voice will benefit from a more natural sounding mic (Neumann) as their type of voice already makes them sound like a Manley mic.

Damn idk Manley sounds great a little processed and brighter but the U87 is more warm. It honestly just would be on preference on the vocalist.

I own both and I must say the U87 sits better for that song. Can’t go off one song and say I like this mic more then the other one.

This was a great video, camera?