The membrane is actually 6mil PVC coated with 200 angstroms of evaporated gold. The PVC begins to dry out from the moment it's poured, so the capsules don't actually last forever. BTW, the tubes were actually made for field radios and the transformers were originally made for the navigation systems in the V2 rocket. Neumann thought they would be good in his microphone, but neither were originally intended for pro audio. It was just a happy combination of the right stuff. Military spec tubes are not always metal either. Things like JAN tubes (Joint Army Navy) tubes have higher required tolerances for things like the mica spacers, heaters, getters, on/off cycles and shock. Good video though. Just felt like commenting on a few details.
Actually, the V2 used four EF14 tubes in its guidance system not the VF14, because it used a different cathode manufacturing process with a lower heater voltage that proved its use to be in space.
My U47 was a Telefunken-badged US import version. I paid $1800 in 1979 and kept until 2000 when I sadly had to liquidate. It had the original VF-14 plus the Nuvistor adapter and two spare Nuvistors. I got what was at the time a great price - $6,000.
I just started working at a studio who owns an original U48 and was told that it was used on the Beatles more than the U47. From research, I found that Abbey Road's U47s were returned to Neumann to have them changed to U48 specs. Both microphones are magical, but U48 may be better.
My understanding is that a U-47 and U-48 are the same mic just different polar option both have cardioid the 47 has Omni and the 48 has figure 8. I own a flea 47 and flea 12. Shot the Flea 47 out side by side with many vintage 47's long body and short body you would not be able to tell the difference in a blind test. I'd put money on that bet. Great video!
As a voice talent, I was first recorded with a Neumann U 47 in the mid-1970s at a small studio in Georgia, and I still have a couple of those recordings. In the past year, I was able to acquire that U 47, which I quickly sent to James Brian at Bill Bradley's Mic Shop in Nashville to have evaluated and reconditioned. At some point in its journey, the original M7 capsule's PVC diaphragms had been reskinned with Mylar diaphragms by Gotham Audio in New York. The Mylar diaphragms are still in good condition but are susceptible to clouding over with water vapor when worked too closely, and they will likely need to be replaced at some point in the future. The original VF14 had been replaced by at some point with a Nuvistor, which was never a suitable alternative for the original German field radio tube. James Brian replaced the Nuvistor with an Andreas Grosser VF14EF tube, the definitive replacement for the original VF14. A couple of components in the mic had to be replaced along with all the capacitors in the power supply.
GreySH101 There is NO copy or "clone" of the original U47 in existence at all. None of these "cloners' are using the original Neumann capsule, the original VF14 tube or the original transformer. An original U47 does not need any improvements. The U47 has proven for decades that it works and sounds just fine for the greatest artists of our time, in its original condition. . . . . Comparing it with your 'Beezneez' mic seems like an insult. Your tacky garden shed made mic has a pretentious brand name on a fuck ugly oversized badge and it definitely does not have anything in common with any Neumann at all. The real value of this thing will show if you put it on the used market. You will get only Beeznuts. Buying these wannabe-mics shows either stupidity, bad taste or ignorance.
Try a Pearlman TM-47 Best bang for the buck and hangs with the top clones. Vintage king has a shootout. You can get even cheaper ones, but it's probably the best price/performance ratio than buying the real thing.
Both Telefunken & Neumann produce their version of the U47. In my opinion they're identical. The trick is finding one with the original VF14 metal tube.
Hi, try out the Townsend Sphere mic, with this you can model a 100% convincing U47. Or a U67, U87 or C-800 and a bunch of other great mics. And do totally crazy things like switching the polarity (you have to record stereo for both capsules and use a free plugin after this). Really great stuff, tested it weeks ago.
I'm always surprised when people who are working professionaly in the field doesn't seem to understand how the U47 works. It's not a better microphone than anything else. In fact, as someone who has worked with them for many years in a large studio, I would dare say it's not really one of the better ones out there. It's easily beaten on pretty much all metrics by a wide variety of microphones in almost all price ranges. It doesn't have transparency, clarity or anything like that. What it has got is a special history that makes it special by pedigree alone. It also has a meatiness that works well in a mix, but in a stripped down mix, I wouldn't use one unless it was in REALLY good condition or had parts replaced by modern and better parts. It's a cool microphone, but if it had been released now in it's original form without having the history of being used on the most classic recordings to date, I would pay max 1000 dollars for it for what it actually gives you. It does look awesome though, especially the more beaten up ones. All in all, it's just a microphone like all the others, but it costs a lot because of who used it.
If it is a Neumann, then why does it say Telefunken on the label? Was this some licence build or outsourcing? When Frank Zappa made penis jokes saying "it looks just like a Telefunken U47", he also did not refer to Neumann. How does the branding work here? On a side note, you've got quite some color wobble going on in this video, with the reds shifting in and out of the signal regularly... just thought I'd mention it.
I have tried lots of mics, from cheap and crap to amazing. And its almost always a butt load of confirmation bias kicking in with these kinds of stuff. The u47 is amazing, BUT so are a lot of other mics. And some (cheaper ones) sound better than a Neumann in blind tests! I know it hurts a lot of hearts, but it’s true. We listen with our eyes and with our egoistical brains. Things we have bought for a lot of money or that looks to be worth a lot we value more and put above other stuff. Neumann is no exception. Other examples of the same phenomenon: Twisting knobs instead of tweaking a UI sounds better. A newly washed car runs better than a dirty one. Premium looking food brands taste better. ”Handmade” is better than built by machines/in a factory/whatever people things.... Humans are idiots. End of story. I rather take a Ehrlund or Milab/Pearl microphone any day of the week.
Amen but that's also part of the art. Everything sounds just a little bit different. Everything makes you feel a little bit different too. If you're into microphones, and you're in front of one you really appreciate, you might just perform a little bit better. Or not. It's all part of the magic.
Awesome history lesson. It's sad they don't make them like they used to, isn't it? I thought for sure you were going to say the U87, so this was a great surprise. IMO, the U87 is the most over rated and over priced microphone in the business. One thing you failed to mention was that the backplate of the diaphragm capsule was made of PVC, which degrades pretty quickly and was a problem with that mic that Neumann strove to overcome in later models. There were issues with the one they used to record me, and I wasn't that impressed by it. It's certainly a romantic mic, but I think that making a blanket statement that one mic or another is the "best" is impossible. Best for what? Personally, I think the original CAD e100 is better for voice over and vocals than any of the Neumanns. The U48's frequency response is less than ideal for a couple of applications where the CAD e100 really shines. It doesn't start picking up sound until around 30-40 Hz and doesn't reach 0dB until around 200 Hz. Then, in cardioid mode, it starts a pretty dramatic gain up to +5dB starting at around 1.1 kHz and almost reaching the full +5dB mark around 2.2 kHz with a slight dip in the sibilance zone to around +2.5dB then shoots back up to +5dB at 10 kHz where it starts a very dramatic drop down to 0 before it's cutoff just under 16 kHz. This is pretty problematic with a lot of singers, and really brings out the worst and doesn't capture the best part of many male voice actors' voices, including mine. The CAD e100, on the other hand is like a velvet hammer for vocals. This is, by far, the most under rated mic of all time IMO. Made in the USA when that was still a good thing, It has a built in metal pop filter/EMF shield behind the brass mess, the capsule is mounted between two internal shock absorbers, and it has it's own internal, rechargeable batteries to supply it's own power or to boost the phantom power above 48 V when necessary to capture loud transients accurately. It also has a super flat frequency response with a very subtle presence boost and sibilance cut. It is amazing for vocal, kick, and, in pairs, overhead drum recording. It will bring a vocal or voice over right up to the front in the warmest, most inviting way. It also has a super-cardioid pickup pattern, so it gives you more freedom of movement than a Sennheiser MKH 416 but still has great off-axis noise rejections if you're in a less than perfect recording space. The only drawback to this mic is its relatively high self noise of 16dB, but it's never been a problem in practice, even when I'm recording "naked" narration for audiobooks. A bit of downward expansion with FF Pro-G will eliminate some of it between phrases if it's adding to other noise in the signal chain, but it actually adds a saturated feel to the vocal. And you can get 20 of them for the price of a U47. If there were only two mics left in the world, an original CAD e100 and a Neumann U47, you and I were alone in a room with them, and I had a gun, you'd end up with the U47. I've was lucky enough to record vocal tracks on both the U47 (a lot of people call it a Telefunken, though) and the Neumann U87 right at the time when vinyl was being replaced by the all time worst music distribution medium-the cassette tape. I was even lucky enough to have one that went to vinyl, cassette and the brand new CD. On vinyl, the U47 might have made a difference, but the engineers always ended up EQing it to sound more like an SM58 anyway, so I always considered it a waste. Also, I think the one they used when I sang was suffering from the PVC degradation issue that plagues these mics. The original U87 had a nice, flat frequency response with just a tiny, 1.5dB bump of air starting just above most sibilance and peaking around 10 kHz , but the current U87 Ai sounds terrible. Even without the overly aggressive HPF, it filters out some of the lower resonance in my voice, and doesn't hit 0dB until about 70dB. A lot of my best vocal resonance is between 30 and 50 Hz. I know audio engineers love to cut that area out when mixing music, but for VO work, it's a range that many clients want to hear in certain reads. So, there is a lid for every pot. I've worked with voices who sounded much through a RØDE NT1 than a Neumann TLM 103, which both have very similar capsules to the U87, but the RØDE has better components and is quieter. Neumann snobs hate to hear the RØDE sounding better than the TLM 103, but it was designed as an upgraded mod to the K67 type capsule with superior components including some of the best from Germany and Japan. They turn their nose up at it because you can get one with an awesome metal pop filter, lyre style shock mount (a $130 USD value on its own), and a cable for under $300 USD. Well, I do my work to benefit the ever growing homeless population, and the $730 difference (actually, more like $940 when you consider the accessories) can provide a person with the essentials to live for 2 months, and that is priceless.
Gunther Wagner who was Neumann equipment servicing technician in Germany recreated U47 in early 2000s with target to do it right to the highest extent. It is called U47W and it is the best of best U47s. Not a clone orreplica, as it was built from as much original parts as possible. Some earlier models used original transformers and tubes, as well. U47 is a miracle mic, but quite possible that Wagner's U47W is only other U47 that challenges vintage originals to extent of being 'equal or better'. Better in respect that many vintage originals are off the specs already so great U47 vs tried U47 would not even be a fair comparison.
Or maybe it's because everyone these days is obsessed with using vintage equipment from tape machines to old mics these days in order to get "that warmth". Hipsters people
Ross Duncan No. It is because it does sound good. I recommend you listen to the 1958 Pat Boone album Star Dust It sounds so lifelike especially the stereophonic one which was recorded with the microphone. I have three copies of that record one in stereo two in mono. I was so impressed and please if you something against vintage audio equipment or anything vintage please do not go video or forums about topics concerning vintage things, Thank You Exuse any typos.
Eric Brown-Bey I feel like videos or forums about topics concerning vintage audio equipment would be the exact places for someone who has something against vintage audio equipment to go. Wait...
@@EricBrownBey Have listened to it quite a bit before, but it's nothing that cannot be done with modern equipment. As long as you know what you are doing, getting an equal result isn't too tricky. A Blue Bottl, good preamp and a great room is all it takes.
I wouldn’t get too caught up in the hype of such a microphone. There are many other flavors of mics out there that can hold their own at a fraction of the price of that mic.
Hi I like your channel, having said that I have a question if its possible. A tube mic made by ART T4 what do you think of it . Also what tube mic can I buy and do mod on it to sound close to U47. Thx
Nope! It sucks that Telefunken Electroakustics bought the name and the logo. The mic's they are making have nothing to do with the original, it should have been a protected trademark because the idiots in the US are devaluating one of the best mic's ever made. The reason why this one has a Telefunken logo is because the mic's where produced by both Neumann and Telefunken back in the days. This one is called a "telefunken badged" U47. What also doesn't help is that we've had our microphone tech make new outside housings for our mic's to protect against R.F.I.
Hello my friend! Can i ask you about Telefunken u47 (usa) stock tube "vf14k" life expectancy? How long it can work (average in hours or days)? I wanted to buy u67 reissue, but based on what i've heard on shootouts, it's better not to do it :) I really like the u47 sound, but tubes vf14k is very pricey and it's stops me.
There are 3 type's of U47's, a Telefunken-Electroakoustik, a Neumann, and a normal (old) Telefunken. www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/799013-semantics-neumann-u47-telefunken-u47-neumman-u47-telefunken-badge.html
I was gonna ask about the Telefunken u47 (recorded vocals with it and all I can say is it sounds double epic) but then I realized that's actually the brand on the microphone you are constantly saying is Neumann. Am I missing something?
Not correct, altough it does have a new outside body, it's an original Telefunken badged U47... It's sad that the American's have take over the brand name and the design of the U47... We had them on demo, they are a completely different mic. I can understand it's very confusing ;-)
White Sea Studio You are phrasing this very politely. Telefunken USA is asking 10K for their version of the U47. A 'version' that does not even have the original capsule installed. The original capsule is still available and costs about 1000.00 Euro. Money they don't want spend on a mic that costs 10K to purchase. - Many years ago the same company released their $1400.- Telefunken AK47 and M16. It came to light that these microphones were nothing but Chinese Made cheap'ies with a Telefunken badge. The exact same model sold as Nady/Apex 460 for $229.- (see also website recordinghacks)
I have a mic invention that converts a dynamic SM58 mic, to exceed the performance of a U47. If you were to use the technology on a u47, it would be even better of course. Can't talk about it much however. You can check out my validation channel if you like, it's where I do my personal validation and calibrating...
So we don’t get to hear it ? Is it just too special to actually listen to? Like seeing God ?? would I just vaporise if I actually heard it ? Apart from that , Great vid
Hipster people can try flex with their gear and say " yeah I got premium neumann" but can he produce actually good fucking song, no! To put it you dont hear difference between mixed rode or this billion dollar crap.
You are the one that is a prank... its a telefunken badged neumann U47... djiesus, I’m going to make a separate video about this because nobody seems to understand it....
how much neumann money put into your mouth? best mic are very subjetive!!! for me elam 251 are better, but its subjective, and your title are misleading!!!
Love your videos but please don't mention the Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Ed Sheeran (????) in one sentence again.. I know you just want to proove it's still used today but it still doesn't feel right... lol
They were the plasticy popstars of their day... Sheeran will probably go down in history with the same love as them. plenty of people who were in their adulthoods when The Beatles came out consider them to have been the 'ruin' of pop music. Pop music is music, it's just about if you're old and stinky enough to think things were better 'back in my day' when it hits the mainstream. (I'm definitely too old and stinky for ed) :D
Yeah no one produces high end microphones these days... All just cheap Chinese crap. And it definitely requires multi thousand dollar monitors to hear the difference between a Neumann and an MXL.
