I am glad you didn't ask which one is better but demonstrating the sound of each mic. It is impossible to pick which one is the best when you are presented with 4 of the best mics ever built. Great demo with the right context of vocal with the music instead of just acapella like most other videos. Enjoyed it very much!
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, my survey really showed everyone has a different preference and perception of what is better. Goal was just to show the difference in character of each. Thanks for visiting!
I loved the 251 the most in the other video, but in this video, the C12 is far and away the winner for me. Amazing microphone. Would love to hear an M49 on her too
It’s always the one who can really sing that does not have an album. Mics matter I think she’ll sound fabulous using two sausage cans and a string. Awesomeness!
What an underrated video. I feel like the u67 got the short end of the stick, as the cuts to it were a lot less dynamic then the other parts, but all in all, EXCELLENT
Holy crap, that c12 is really something on her voice... I really like my tele usa 251 but the c12 has almost all of the brightness without any of the sibilance, I just don't understand how that's possible... I've had the same experience comparing vintage 251's to the modern 251. It just seems nearly impossible to consistently nail that magical quality with a new microphone.
I know right! How could that be. In the end, it depends on the singer and type of song I guess. Your Tele USA 251 is an amazing mic! I just knew that the this C12 has been her soulmate.
The c12 probably has an earlier revision of the CK12 capsule. By the time the Telefunken 251 came around, they had revised the capsule design to increase sensitivity, boosting the presence frequencies considerably. The frequency plot for a 251 (these plots are usually marketing BS, but I doubt they would make it look less flat). looks like if you put a Neumann k67 on a C12 amp. The C12 has a much flatter response through 5khz. That is assuming the original capsule hasn't been replaced or modified. The 251 was the only mic I could pick out without seeing the subtitles, for its sibilance.
Really like the C12 on her voice. The U47 is classic sounding. The U67 is a great general purpose mic. It works really well, but maybe not as well as the first two. The 251 seems just a hair sibilant on her voice. Nice shootout!
In this video I preferred the U47 over the U67. In the other video it was the other way around. But in both videos the C12 was the clear winner. I didn't like the 251. It sounds sibillant, nasal and much in the vein of a new U87. But the way she sings, man...incredible ! Your video was very usefull, it steered me away from the telefunken usa, but made me want a retro channel strip, as some voices do not cope well with my vintage neve pre. Thanks again, great experience and greetings from Romania !
Greetings again, I don't know how I missed this post. Brother your shootouts are amazing!!!! Omg the vocalist really makes the difference. I have to agree with a statement made previously that the u67 didn't get to shine like the others on this song, BUT even in the short clips you can hear that presence! That's why she's my dream mic. I read so many people say that the c12 won hands down in this post, but I don't think so. The character refence statement that most say is that the high end comes through, but that's what a c12 is known for. My point is that I believe that any of these mics would take a high-end eq boost and sound like a million dollars. The high-end frequency is where modern songs and mixes are supreme today, but there's no replacement for the midst and presence. That carries more weight (no pun intended). You can not fake weight, and presence. That plus the ability to take eq is my basis for purchasing a classic or vintage mic. What are your thoughts? Am I missing anything guys?
I think you are spot on. I can take any of these mics and give it a high end boost and get it close if that's the intent. I find that a lot of singers today are looking for that sizzling high that the C12 and even more on the Elam 251 that just comes out of the box. Almost sold my U67 but decided it still holds its own. Thanks again!!!
(Sighs) Thank you so much!! This is the most helpful comparison video out there. Makes my decision making a WHOLE LOT EASIER! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
On saucy, soft ballad content like this, all the richness is going to shine through. And yes we are hearing the proximity effect as well. I do wonder how this same setup would sound on a male vocal, singing content with more sound pressure on the mics. To me, that's what separates the boys from the men (mics). Again, great great recordings, talent performance and gear!! Just as in the other Part 1 video.
@@orangeroom5414 I just ordered a pair of Retro 500pre's. Very excited about Retro Instruments after hearing your shootouts. Did you EQ and/or compress at all in these shootouts?
Thank you Jordan. Yes, it's hard to hear until you put them side by side. Also, after hearing feedback, I re-listen and my preferences changes after taking to account people's feedback. Crazy!
Outstanding sound quality ...even on youtube. I wish I could download thsi so I can hear it thru my own system...un compressed...a copy of the piano chords would be great!!!!
the c12 and the 47 are quite close! Most people assume the C12 is an overly bright mic, but that's not really the case with a pre-1959 in original shape. A little bit flattering? maybe. But the 251 is really the boosted to hell mic.
Thanks Maybe David. Would be curious to know your take on the added ribbon mic. It's in another video. Thanks. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j_my0pT7Sh0.html
You know how they say that U47's don't sound exactly like each other, from mic to mic, even from the same era? Well, I don't know to what extent that's true about C12's but you have one very special example of C12. Wow. Killer singing too.
Thank you. I do feel very fortunate with this C12 I have. When I sent it for maintenance at some point, the technician could not believe how pristine it looked. In his words, it's like it just came out of the factory brand new. He almost thought maybe it's a fake, but later confirmed it's all original. Whew!
I've never heard such a night and day difference on a RU-vid video C12 WINS!!!!!!!!!!! let me say that again, C12 Destroys the others, :))))) the low end jumps out a bit when she sings in the lower octaves you may consider lowering the low end slightly, I'd like to rank them for you to get an insight of my opinion 1 C12 - Best - no complaints :) 2 Elam - Good but sound a bit Artificial 3 U47 - missing highs and lows, midrangey 4 U67 - 🤐 Cheers! wish I was in the studio with you observing, Good Luck, and keep posting, keep us in the loop!
Thank you for your feedback. I like hearing everyone's perspective because good to me is different from what others mean is good. Also, so many variables in the signal chain and how it is recorded. I'm just here to learn so thank you!
U47 sounds not as bright as C12/251 but vocals stands out in mix very cool because of Neumann's 2.5 kHz. Can be a problem to get rid of that Neumann's mid. U67 sounds like vintage mic without service, am I right? thank you!
it's easy to address with a smooth analog eq (like 1073 or my favorite 1081). Just do a reciprocal cut in that range and a touch of top shelf above it.
that in your face vocal is stunning with all of the mics! How important is the retro powerstrip to this sound youre getting? you adding any eq or compression from it? They all just sound so vintage vibey and great! well done
Yes, the retro powerstrip was definitely part of the sound you hear. I have singers that don't care for it and go for my solid state neves instead. But yeah, for the right person, it's inspiring and big.
Hi Jordan. The E stands for Export. What we see in the US has the E and uses the GE 6072 tube. The European version without the E used a Telefunken AC701 tube. Some may argue but I did not see any difference really with the sound when I compared it side by side. Now there is the 251T which is a modern twist to the 251 which features a ck-13 capsule. No idea about difference in sound. The Sony's price sky rocketed when they stopped manufacturing them. I think it will come back though. Not sure why they would stop. So, I'll wait until the hype is over and will get one and try.
Here the C12 is probably the one, U47 as well! It is hard to choose any of them but for sure if I would be able to get 2 only then it would be the U47 and the C12. Honestly, I would get all of these mics for their slightly different but uber top-quality sounds. IMHO the Neumann U67 and the Telefunken ELA M 251 sounds better for deeper-sounding male voices but maybe it is only my taste.
Thanks for your comment. I think you are spot on. It’s about knowing the characteristics of the mics and matching them to the voice - and yeah, that’s why I still hang on to all of them. There’s a couple more mics I wouldn’t mind having - the Neumann M49 and playing around with the Sony C800g which I know you have to be really selective with voice.
@@orangeroom5414 Ohhhhhh, the M49, warm, and intimate. I also love the M149 Tube, the Blue Bottle with a B6 capsule is silky smooth and vintage-like sounding on female vocals, the Manley Reference Tube is also very beautiful sounding. I think the new Soyuz 017 TUBE V2 is also very nice but if I had to choose between the Manley or the Soyuz I would go for the Manley. IMHO the king of them all for vocals is still probably the U47 vintage. That microphone has an old golden soul and an unrivaled sound. Many came very very close to its sound yet not quite.
@@observer222 ok, now I am drooling. Please stop talking dirty to me! Lol! I have been eyeing the Soyuz. I almost bought it but decided to try some ribbon mics to see what I’m missing in that area. I have to say, it is blowing my mind how authentic the sounds are coming out of these bi-directional ribbons. Oh yes, you can add Manley to my list. You sure know your mics! You know what, I don’t care what others say.- these mics we talk about inspires artists and get the best of them. Also, what an amazing investment it has been for me as the values keep going while I get to use them!
Al l great mics, but for her voice, hands down the 251 is the p7erfect match. 2nd place is the u47, third place the c12, in fourth place the u67. Now, this is just for HER voice. Ive heard plenty of male rock voices that need the u67 to punch thru. But with her, the 251 by far and away the best. The c12 sounds exactly like a c12 here.
u47 is the best for me, it just pulls me in with her voice. c12 sticks out in a bad way honestly for me going against every comment almost haha, just my personal preference. I love the Telefunken, after that I would say the u67, and I honestly put c12 last.
First off, she's a great singer. Unfortunately none of these mics really had the chance to shine and show what they really can do: the vocals were a bit too soft and subdued (IMO) for this shoot-out; but, this test was obviously intended for a softer style of singing with these classic mics. I have to agree with others here: the U67 really didn't get to show what it can really do. That being said, I thought the U47 is the most lush and had the most dimension of any of the mics here, and just had drooling. You could certainly hear the tone of the U67, but again, it wasn't allowed to shine here; if it was, it probably would have been very close to the U47. The C12 was crystal clear and smooth as always, and as nice as a mic as the American ELA M 251 is, I think it fell just a bit short in this shoot-out. That being said, they are all great mics.
I used a Retro Powerstrip with EQ bypassed and minimal compression. I think when I did a quick mix, I used a Wave L3 Ultramaximizer on the whole track, just to get a good level.
Sorry, the 251 is clearly superior. The Neuman is dry and detached by comparison. The C12 is quite nice but simply does not have the presence of the 251,
@@jmdmusicstudios2026 thanks! Unfortunately, she just loves to sing for the love of it. I have recordings of her that will never be heard. Sad, I know.. She loves to sing but not for fame. She does get invited to many events - now through zoom. Only thing I can show you is her Vimeo link where we as a family do our traditional Christmas video greetings every year.. vimeo.com/almasilos
Love the Christmas videos! :) such a musically talented family! Did you play piano and Rhodes on this video too? Amazing solo! Also where is your studio based and do you offer recording sessions for clients/mix/master services? I’ve recently graduated Berklee College Of Music with a degree in Sax performance. I originally checked out this video as I’m looking at buying my first tube mic. So glad I clicked on it!
@@jmdmusicstudios2026 Based in North part of Los Angeles. Congratulations on graduating Berklee. I only do private recording/mixing/mastering sessions. Having said that, reach out if you are around. Be happy to help if you need anything.
Best: C12, even by a margin to the U47. Second: U47. Third: the other two, but who cares by now. Is there a shootout of the same mikes for a male voice?
U47 and 251 hands down practically flawless . C12 next for me i would boost just a touch in the 1k 5k range . U67 definitely mid heavy and would add more presence to the upper range . However what beautiful way to hear these mics shine
I like the Telefunken in this recording, nice voice and it fits better to the rest. of th music With th AKG hrt voice is fuller wich is nice but it dominates too much for my taste. Anyone a spare Telefunken for me? ;-)
Ya , ya , ya.... yawn, whatever. Of course they all sound good. Because “she” sounds amazing. Put an ART mic in there or a Beringer mic. Guess what , It would still sound good.
