Migliore alternativa all'U87:le 4 migliori scelte da acquistare nel 2022 Recensione
Non c'è molto da dire sul microfono Neumann U87 che non sia già stato detto. Spesso indicato come il Santo Graal dei microfoni, si trova in tutti i principali studi del mondo. E l'hai sentito in innumerevoli registrazioni; infatti, si stima che con un U87 siano state registrate più voci di successo in classifica con un U87 di qualsiasi altro microfono nella storia.
Allora perché vorresti trovare la migliore alternativa all'U87?
Ci sono un paio di ragioni, ovviamente, e su questo tornerò. Questo microfono è riconosciuto come l'apice dei microfoni per la registrazione di voci. Ma ha una varietà di applicazioni ed è ottimo per strumenti acustici, overhead e come microfono da sala.
Neumann- Alcune cose dovrebbero essere
Se guardi alla storia di questa azienda, vedrai che qualcosa da qualche parte li ha preservati per darci l'U87. Fondata nel 1923 a Berlino, la loro fabbrica fu bombardata nel 1943.
Dopo essersi spostati verso est, furono conquistati dal regime comunista sovietico alla fine della guerra. Sono stati rivendicati come attività di "proprietà statale", che gli piacesse o meno.
Se non fosse stato per la riunificazione e la caduta del muro di Berlino, forse non li avremmo mai più visti. Ma abbiamo dovuto aspettare fino a quell'evento che ha cambiato la storia. Quindi potevano guardare attraverso un buco nel muro e salutarsi. Siamo ancora qui.
Ne è valsa la pena aspettare?
Chiedi a Sinatra o Presley. Bing Crosby o i Beatles. Penso che probabilmente lo era.
Ma non è arrivato all'improvviso
L'U87 non è appena arrivato. Nel 1947 Neumann pubblicò un grande microfono a condensatore, che sarebbe diventato una leggenda, l'appropriatamente chiamato U47.
La performance è stata sbalorditiva. Il dettaglio e la qualità tonale sono quasi incomparabili. Uno dei più grandi microfoni mai realizzati, con buoni esempi vintage ora venduti per circa $ 20.000.
Avanti veloce al 1967
È stato un anno da ricordare per molte ragioni.
- Il Vietnam stava guadagnando intensità.
- L'assassinio di studenti universitari disarmati dello Stato del Kent contro il Vietnam che protestavano da parte della Guardia Nazionale degli Stati Uniti alcuni mesi prima ha avuto ripercussioni nazionali.
- Dott. Christian Barnard ha eseguito il primo trapianto di cuore.
- Si è svolto il primo Monterey Rock Festival.
- Gli arabi hanno attaccato Israele per dare inizio alla guerra dello Yom Kippur.
- E... Neumann ha rilasciato il successore dell'U47, l'U67.
E vent'anni dopo, quando succedeva molto meno, arrivarono gli U87
Perché è così buono?
Nota che ho detto "è" e non "era". È molto buono, ma è costoso e suona così. È anche versatile. Lo sappiamo tutti per la voce, come ho detto, ma si comporta bene con molto di più.
C'è qualcosa che non va?
"Sbagliato" non è la parola giusta da usare. Se stai dicendo "sbagliato", allora no, non c'è. Ma potrebbero esserci un paio di cose che potrebbero causarti un problema, vale a dire...
La sensibilità
Di solito, più è sensibile il microfono, meglio è, permettendogli di cogliere ogni sfumatura della performance, specialmente con la voce. Ma non è sempre così. A volte può essere un po' controproducente.
Se la stanza o la cabina in cui la stai utilizzando non è del tutto acusticamente perfetta, rileverai dei riflessi. Ogni piccolo dettaglio andrà a ruba. Le cose che non sarebbero un problema con altri microfoni "locatori" possono improvvisamente diventare un problema.
Se il tuo spazio di registrazione rientra in questa categoria, potresti stare meglio con l'alternativa U87 migliore e meno sensibile.
Tuttavia...
La sensibilità diventa insignificante quando iniziamo a parlare del prezzo. Il prezzo sarà probabilmente al di fuori di ciò che la maggior parte delle persone potrebbe permettersi di spendere.
Alcuni pensano che sia troppo costoso. Alcuni dicono lo stesso di una Bentley. Nessuno dei due lo è. Ottieni ciò per cui paghi in entrambi i casi. Tuttavia, quelli che dicono che è troppo costoso hanno qualcosa in comune con i critici dell'auto. Se non hai mai guidato una Bentley, semplicemente non capirai. And if you’ve never recorded with a U87, the same will apply.
The Reality
And this, of course, is incredibly relevant, in that most people who are recording will just not be able to afford to buy a ‘real’ U87. Therefore it’s best to start looking around for an alternative, so here are some great suggestions starting with the…
Top 4 Best U87 Alternative For The Money in 2022 Reviews
- Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphone – Best Quality U87 Alternative
- Warm Audio WA-87 Vintage-Style Condenser Microphone – Best Affordable U87 Alternative
- Peluso P-87 Large Diaphragm Condenser Mic – Best Looking U87 Alternative
- AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone – Most Versatile U87 Alternative
1 Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphone – Best Quality U87 Alternative
Let’s start with another microphone from Neumann. The TLM 103 has enough quality of performance to be considered as a great alternative to the U87 . And at about half the price, it has plenty going for it.
Some Obvious Differences
This is not a mic that can compete with the U87 in terms of versatility; I ought to make that clear. It has just a single Cardioid polar pattern instead of the multiple patterns of its cousin.
Plus, there are no filter switches and no pads to give you that optimal performance for any instrument in any scenario. So it will not be able to be used in some recording situations. There are no hidden wonders; it is a ‘what you see is what you get’ mic.
Good For Vocals
Despite what appears to be some features lacking, it is still a good mic for vocals. I am using the word ‘good,’ not ‘great,’ you will notice. You can’t refer to a mic as ‘great’ when in the presence of the U87, which is ‘great.’
The frequency response is rather flat but has a small boost at 4kHz. That can make the production of the sound a little bright at times. That can be a good thing, but sometimes it is not what is required. For example, if you are working with a singer who has a naturally harsh tone, it could end up a little bright in the mix.
Low Mids
However, the sound balance is achieved with some nice low mids that deliver a warm natural tone, a feature that is often present in Neumann mics. It is no different here, and that is one of the reasons this is a decent alternative.
Well-built
It has a strong build and a nice aesthetic design and is quite compact in its styling. Not the cheapest option I will look at, but if you want a mic that produces good vocals and don’t need a lot of versatility, it is a good option.
Pro
- Nice warm-sounding low mids.
- Compact and strong design and build.
Contro
- Not particularly versatile.
2 Warm Audio WA-87 Vintage-Style Condenser Microphone – Best Affordable U87 Alternative
Next in my Best U87 Alternative review, I have a mic that might be new to some but is certainly worth a look and has some great built-in versatility.
Is It a Clone?
Not really, but it isn’t hard to see what they have tried to do in the design of this mic. Apart from its looks, it has some interesting design features.
Like the U87, it is a large diaphragm mic that has three polar patterns. Cardioid, Figure of 8, and Omnidirectional are all easily accessible. That gives it a certain versatility. And there is a switch that will give you bass roll-off.
The Sound
It does quite well with a nice mid-range and a strong presence boost. And when compared with other mics at a similar price range, it does very well. But we are not discussing that market.
It lacks a bit of warmth when compared with more expensive mics. That comparison comes into stark focus when you compare it to the U87.
Some Good Points
But it is probably unfair to make a comparison when comparing the price points of both. But it does have some big assets. The high SPL means it handles sources that are loud easily, even with the 10dB pad turned off.
Also, it is based more on the original U87 rather than today’s updated version, which some will like. The original was not as bright at the top end as the modern version can be.
If you can live with the sound not having the warmth associated with a real U87, then at this price point, it is certainly worth considering as an alternative.
Pro
- A good-looking build and is a versatile mic with a nice mid-range.
- Hands-on controls make it easy to operate.
- Very affordable.
Contro
- It does lack some warmth in the sound.
3 Peluso P-87 Large Diaphragm Condenser Mic – Best Looking U87 Alternative
Just like the Neumann TLM103 I looked at; the P87 is less than half the price of the Neumann. However, this mic is actually more similar to the U87 in many ways.
The Build
Peluso has made this mic closely resemble the U87 without making it look like a knock-off copy. It has a similar tough exterior, so it even feels like it when you pick it up. But does it sound like a U87?
The Frequency response is the fairly standard 20Hz to 20000Hz. Up to 1.5kHz, it is rather flat but begins to lift after that point. It has a balanced sound, though, so you don’t get any harshness at the top end.
Three Patterns
It has three polar patterns, Cardioid, Figure of 8, and Omnidirectional. These are controlled by a three-position switch on the front.
There is a low-frequency roll-off switch on the back of the mic. This is a useful addition as it counteracts the proximity effect that can happen with vocals recorded too close to the mic.
There is also a -10dB pad to add some lower gain. This is also useful when working with drums, guitar cabinets, or brass instruments. Add to this the high SPL, and you have a very versatile mic that can cope with most things.
A Decent Effort
I don’t think for a moment Peluso thought they could equal the U87 in quality and performance. But they have done a good job in creating a very good mic indeed. And with many of the same attributes, if not the overall sound.
The price point isn’t cheap, but of course, it is nowhere near the U87, making it a good alternative option.
Pro
- Very good SPL and low self-noise.
- Well made with some quality sound production features.
Contro
- Doesn’t cut through the mix as well as some microphones.
4 AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone – Most Versatile U87 Alternative
Let’s close this look at the best alternatives to the Neumann U87 with another masterpiece. AKG made some great mics over the years, and the C414 was one of them. And it’s another mic that you will find in all the high-end studios around the world.
Made An Impact
As soon as the C414 was released in 1971, it made an impact. Now it has carved out for itself a special place in microphones.
It is known, like the U87, for the quality of its vocal recording . But it also works just as well with other instruments, especially ‘live’ guitars, especially acoustics, and is also great as an overhead mic.
Some ‘Good’ Features
Five separate polar patterns make up the significant design of the mic. Cardioid, SuperCardioid, Hyper-cardioid, Omnidirectional, and Figure of 8. The features go further with low-frequency roll-off, with access to 40Hz, 80Hz, or 160Hz roll-off at the flick of a switch.
Even further, in case you are working with a loud source. You can choose to use either a 0db, 6db, 12db, or an 18db pad.
Versatility
If one of the reasons you want the U87 is versatility, then say hello to the C414. A great, versatile mic at a price point that says it’s worth every penny. A bit like a Bentley, really.
Pro
- Good build that produces a warm vocal sound.
- Packed with AKG nohow and features.
Contro
- Nessuno.
Looking for more superb microphone options?
Then check out my comprehensive reviews of the Best Vocal Mics, the Best Condenser Microphones, the Best Microphones Recording for Electric Guitar, the Best Microphones for Recording Rap Vocals, the Best Live Vocal Mic, the Best XLR Microphones, the Best Dynamic Microphones as well as the Best USB Microphones you can buy in 2022.
You may also be interested in the Best Microphone Stands or the Best XLR Cables for Microphones currently on the market.
So, what is the Best U87 Alternative?
Some Great Mics, I’ve only looked at a few, but all of them have some impressive features. Although trying to truly compare anything to the mighty U87 is rather futile. But if the price of one is too much, as it will be for many, then you need an alternative, and that’s what I’ve tried to give you in a range of different price points.
In terms of my personal favorite, the Peluso is very impressive, but if I had to choose, I would go with the…
AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone
An outstanding mic in every respect and highly recommended if a U87 is outside your budget .
Happy recording.