Here's a link to high quality audio, recording settings, and some affiliate links. If you choose to use one of the affiliate links I earn a small fee and it costs you nothing extra. I use that income to fund the channel. If you don't want to use one of the links that's cool too. Have a great day. HQ Audio Of Video: podcastage.com/rev/u87vstlm49 Recording Settings Interface: Universal Audio X8 U87 Gain: 30dB (+2.7dB in Post) TLM49 Gain: 38dB (+2dB in Post) Conversion: 24-bit / 48khz Buy the Neumann U87 Ai Affiliate Link) Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/u87ai B&H Photo: bhpho.to/3XAwJP9 Thomann: thmn.to/thoprod/276800?partner_id=23899 Amazon: geni.us/u87aikit Buy the Neumann TLM49 (Affiliate Link) Amazon: geni.us/tlm49 Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/tlm49 B&H Photo: bhpho.to/3zGwR7M Thomann: thmn.to/thoprod/194633?partner_id=23899 Buy the Universal Audio X8 (Affiliate Link) Amazon: geni.us/uax8 Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/uax8 B&H Photo: bhpho.to/4gALxGg Thomann: thmn.to/thoprod/446926?partner_id=23899 As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Same. Seeing if I was the only one. Even listened on my Sennheiser HD600 headphones to see if it was my little computer speaker system. Even pointing out which was which I really can't hardly hear any difference.
49 has more bump in full bass out of box. Compare the 49 with u47 fet. Would love to hear some of these mics in live jam session, with drummer....call it a One mic jam session, to see what these mics can produce in stand alone.
Is Rode pressuring you to review the RodeCastor video? I'm assuming they sent one out to you. Their passing out all the big checks to all the other RU-vidrs right now.
I used an original, lovingly restored M49 to record Gloria Estefan live on stage singing the American Songbook with orchestra. It sounded heavenly but took a leap of faith to make work. She asked during rehearsal, and I said go for it. FOH was not happy. A U87 would have been far easier for them but that wasn’t a choice. Video wanted the look and it is a gorgeous piece of metal. It is a classic Neumann but ever so slightly hyped by comparison to the U47.
I always love the stories you share! Thank you so much for being such a fantastic resource and sharing these great experiences with all of us! You rule!
I have the U87 and recently the TLM49 after watching your review on it...I definitely can say that I prefer the TLM49 on your voice...In the U87 I just hear that unflattering midrange on it where I don't feel it in the TLM 49.
They sound very similar! If only using for voice, the TLM 49 would be a good, lower cost alternative to the U87ai. Though for un amplified acoustic instruments the TLM 49 would also be fine. There seems to be a bit more top end in the 49. Very subtle though. I suspect it’s because the 49 is transformerless while the 87 has a transformer. That’s probably where the sizzle comes from in the 49. Without a transformer to tame high frequency transients. I like it more than the 103 which sounds too sizzley in the high end. To me anyway. Honestly there are other, much lower cost alternatives that still sound excellent.
The U87 is basically two microphones inside to get the selectable polar patterns. If the TLM49 had selectable patterns it would be about the same price or slightly more. My point, comparing price only matters if you only need cardioid.
Actually, the second capsule is there expressly to give it a cardioid choice. As it is in every cardioid condenser microphone. There is only a single amplifier.
For better or worse, the U87 just sounds like reality. The TLM and lots of other mics are great, and they sound like recordings; I can hear the microphone in-between the sound source and me. That's how I think about the choice. Do you want your raw audio to feel like the source itself, or do you want it to sound like a crafted and creative recording of the thing; I think both are really valuable. For me I preferred the U87 on everything except for the acoustic guitar and the vocals with music. The 49 gave the acoustic a sweet flavor, I felt I was listening to a purposeful recording that was crafted by the mic choice. For the dry vocals I liked the u87, but when the audio was mixed in I much preferred the tone and cut through of the TLM49.
Loved it! Thx. They both have their place. The dip in the 49 at about 6K reveals the bump at 8-10k. The overall hump in 87 from 5 to10K seems to help mask the siblance we hear in the 49. The extra money? well, it's the added diaphragm and the multiple patterns along with the high pass filter may say why, but is it justified? All I can say is I've got 2 87s (not matched, unfortunately format value standpoint) in my studio and they never disappoint. I'll have to try the TLM 49. The acoustic guitar is fantastic on both I must say.
The TLM49 has a more honky/nasally and forward sounding midrange that I do not care for. I know I would be fighting that frequency range when mixing modern pop vocals or working with a nasally singer. I would definitely take the U87 over the TLM49. Thanks for the video man!
The apparent size differences of the Neumann microphones made me wonder: In general, are microphone handles mostly empty/air? Or is there vital stuff in there?
For the test, it was so hard to pick, they are so close to each other, I was able to pick the 49, simply as a voice over I own the 49, and it is my go to mic, I even like it more than the mkh 416.
The 87 has very slightly less sibilance to my ears. The low mids are slightly clearer, if that makes sense. But its sooo minimal I could only hear it on my m50x's. The 87, even though I am not a fan, is worth the money, but so is the 49 in reality.. If I had the money I'd go for an 87, just because its a workhorse that'll last a century based upon how every studio in the world has at least one.
I have a TLM49 and at least for my voice 3k stixks out like a sore thumb. if you EQ the bottom end, it becomes harsh to the point of burning your ears. doesn't take compression well without becoming harsh. So even though I own a TLM49, I use a AT4047 for everything. Need to try a u87 soon at some point.
I’m guessing A is the tlm49, just because i know the u87 rolls the highs off pretty early, and A is super bright in comparison and i dislike that. With that said, they both sound great. And, funny, even with what i said, i actually prefer the tlm49. The u87 is a bit too wooly on you
Thanks for another great VS’s vid. To continue the study it would be nice to A/B both mics in a mix. Which one needed less processing ? Which one held its sound when tossed into the muck and mire of a cluttered mix ? I have checked out cheaper mics that sounded pretty good alone but once they get in context there were problems. As far as the shootout went my ear consistently picked the 87. It sounded more intimate and inviting somehow. Super close though. I’m sure I would happy with either one. I own and use Neumann 47fet, U67 , M49v and a pair of 170s . (The 170s are my most used. Not the sexiest but they do the job and sound fantastic)
Honestly, because transformerless has a clearer sound reproduction, it gave itself away in the blind test. Nevertheless, both sound great on everything. It's rare when eq'ing isn't in the equation of mixing, simultaneously they sound great dry. The price difference and switching patterns/fixed cardioid, it absolutely depends if those options are desired. Tone and character are incredibly close, other than the additional clarity of the TLM49 which honestly could work as a desert island mic.
On the guitars, I completely agree with you. 49 for acoustic and 87 for electric. For singing, I could go either way. For spoken word, I preferred the 49. That's my two cents. So I only have another 169,998 more cents to go for the 49 and 359,998 to go for the 87. I'm not quitting my day job!
The U87ai sounded more full and natural, while the 49 could cut through a mix slightly more efficiently pre-EQ because of the top end. That said the 49 sounds a bit less natural bc of that slightly hyped top end, but it's so subtle that it certainly doesn't sound cheap the way many modern "affordable" condensers boost those frequencies. My pick is the 87 but neither is a bad choice at all.
Just on spoken voice I guessed wrong but it was because I thought you had the M 149 rather than the TLM 49 haha. The second mic sounded drier and more neutral which I tend to assume is the more expensive one. So I got it right but with the wrong models!
I have a pretty nice audio set up with a dac/integrated amp/PSB Imagine mini speakers. The set up MSRP is around $2000 (not to flex) and I can't hear much of a difference in the A/B test.
The two were almost indistinguishable, but the 49 had ever so slightly more warmth and bottom than the 87. Also, while I never use figure 8 or omni polar patterns, I do prefer it when my mics have an hp filter on them for a bit more flexibility. Finally, I really enjoyed the musical riff. If you put a strong backbeat on it, and cleaned up the vocal a bit, you might be on to something there! 😳
I prefer TLM49. I feel more air on TLM. But both are natural enough no complain at all. I can't realize which microphone is if I hear not exact same source.
The 49 has a tiny bit more bite to it but the two mics are so close this is only noticeable on some words or parts of them. This is somewhat more apparent on the guitar demos but still it's rather slight. $2000 more is a lot of cash for a tiny bit smoother sound of the 87 if that happens to be your preference but you do get the multiple patterns so that's something I suppose. Mic placement, the room, and the performance would all account for much bigger differences in sound than the mics themselves. I think you would find more of a difference comparing a vintage 87i than between these two mics.
My guess: Mic B has a little hollow spot in the sound likely the TLM49, also has a TOUCH more really high end (like over 10k). The mics are VERY close in sound and that difference isn't enough to worry about in just about any application. If you dont need polar patterns or pad/filter the TLM will get you that Neumann sound for half the price of the 87.
Great video, Bandrew! Much preferred the sibilance presentation on the 87, and the way you described the 49 as being a bit "gritty" up there is a great way to put it. All in all I agree, both sound awesome, but I also CAN hear why one of them is twice the price of the other, pedigree aside.
Same with the music test, whichever was Mic A there was just more present and didn't have a weird sort of muffledness to it. Acoustic guitar, B wins though cuz too much twang on A.
Quite different! Most of Lewitt mics have pronounced upper frequencies. It depends on the purpose for which you choose to use the mic. TLM49 will be significantly superior than LCT 440 for vocals including voiceovers. If you are seeking cheaper option, then Shure KSM32 is an alternative to TLM49. Lewit mics aren’t bad, some are awesome. If you are looking for TLM49 sound, LCT 440 is really different. Universal Audio SC-1 is also interesting Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, which can provide TLM49/U87 style sound with Hemisphere plugin. But my opinion was only from voiceover perspective.
Without the Mic A and Mic B, i would struggle to tell them apart, but I do think I like the Mic B audio slightly more. B just has a slightly more pleasant warm sound to me, but just barely in my opinion. I think B might be U87. Edit: for the vocals and acoustic, I prefered the TLM49.
At first I was seduced by the extra HF sizzle but then thought, that sounds like LDC characteristics, so then I thought the less bright mic might be the 87. If it was (first and foremost) my money and my project and my recording, it would be the 49 because it's so close. Otherwise I'd hire an 87. Really interesting back to back comparison!
I use a 49 for VO and absolutely love it. I don’t like the u87ai. At all. Way overpriced and overhyped. I could tell immediately which was which in your vocal A/B. Thanks for the thorough comparison!
Hello Neumann! 😂Thanks again for a great comparison video... Personally, I really loved the sound of the TLM49 overall. With the exception of the guitar solos and perhaps the vocal. The guitar solos really punched through the mix with the U87. Vocals I could go either way depending on the style of music. On your voice, I really do prefer the U87 - the vocal has wonderful clarity without nasality & harshness. Smooth is the term you used and I think it's appropriate. But the TLM49 has a bit of warmth I really like. Again, thanks for a great comparison.
great tune, nice "unusual chords" and "voicing", playing and singing. Are we going to hear a longer version on Bandrew plays ? :ru-vid.com. Very good comparison I think your choice of Mics here are spot on and as usual the best microphone review etc on youtube.
It's a quote from Seinfeld. Search "hello newman" on RU-vid or Google. I don't watch Seinfeld though, so I can't expand on why/whether this quote is funny or not.
The sound sound somehow edited. On your TLM 49 video these microphones sounded very different. Here they sound almost the same, I can't tell the difference. Really weird
I would also add that these mecrophones can sound pretty similar off axis, but if you talk into them directly, they sound very different. The TLM is somehow harsh around 2k and the bass response gets thinned out, it sounds overall a bit unpleasant. While the U87 is full, bassy and rich when adressed directly. I think, that can be a huge factor, cause there are singers, who love to have the microphone in front of them rather than off axis
I have a 1073 as well as both of these mics. IMO, they both serve a purpose. The 87ai, is more natural/neutral and accurate to source sounding. While the 49 has what I would consider a more "enhanced" bass/mid response with a perceived slightly added "grit". As far as respective purposes go while running them through a 73 for recording vocals only, I would say I use the 87 to obtain an organic, smooth and dare I say "polished" sounding vocal take, I use the 49 to obtain an analog, hefty and "warm" (please forgive me, I promise that's not an often used word in my regular vernacular} sounding vocal. For example, about 2 years back I was working with a female singer who utilized a very breathy, jazzy, lounge-esque style of singing. She mostly sang in head voice and falsetto, think thin and smokey. All vocals were recorded through the u87ai into the neve 1073. Isolated, the vocals sounded "ready for radio" but once the instruments were unmuted, the vocals could not compete. They sounded too "delicate" in the dense mix and arrangement consisting of 808's, synths, drums, vocal stabs and electric guitars. I must've attempted 15 different vocal mixes using 100 different approaches but nothing i did was adding "impact" to the overall vocal sound. The results were way over-engineered soft sounding jazz vocals over heavy electro pop. Then I remembered a random indie-jazz session I got hired for back in 2011 for a singer with a very similar vocal style, The main mic that studio was using was the 49 going into what I think was either a Focusrite Red 1 or a Focusrite ISA pre and at that time i had zero experience with that mic and then I remembered how full sounding with extremely low effort the vocals were sounding. We just recorded a single centered lead on the verses with a doubled chorus and 2 part harmony and the vocals sat right on top of the mix beautifully. So with that in mind, I jumped right on ebay to pick up a used 49 in a last ditch effort to retrack the vocals to save this song, found one in excellent condition for $800, got it, called the singer back in, retracked all the vocals with the 49, removed 60% of the processing plugins that were on there, adjusted the eq and the song was sonically exactly where we wanted it to be. Bottom line is both mics sound fantastic through the 73. They're both full of detail and both have their "color" and purpose/vibe. Sorry for the long winded reply, I really hope this helps!
@@arveles.production the 49 is great for rap/drill. I always break it out for those sessions where I need that raw and in your face yet articulate vocal sound. Especially when paired with the 1073. But if I’m cutting rap vocals for a more commercial pop-trap oriented song, I’m using the 87 all day.
On studio monitors, on both the acoustic and electric guitars, it seems like the U87 sounded fuller in the lows than the TLM49. But the TLM49 sounds overall better on your voice.
Which, for music, you obviously want to capture lows for certain voices, but a lot of the time those lows fight with other things in the mix and generally get high-pass filtered out anyway.
I consider your channel one of the best when it comes to discussing microphones, but I have to confess that I stopped watching your videos when you started with the 'Hallo Neuman' gag. It really comes across as silly, and frankly, it makes you sound foolish. Please stop doing it.
So, I guess that the TLM49 is Mic A, U87 is Mic B - mainly because I like the warmer tone of the TLM49 and it felt warmer to me. Also, yes, I laugh every time you say 'Hello, Neumann!"
Yeah, not enough of a difference to choose. Both sound gorgeous. I guess if you have more space than money, get the TLM49, if you have more money than space, U87 🤷♂
