Não há muito o que dizer sobre o microfone Neumann U87 que já não tenha sido dito. Muitas vezes referido como o santo graal dos microfones, é encontrado em todos os grandes estúdios do mundo. E você já ouviu isso em inúmeras gravações; na verdade, estima-se que mais vocais de sucesso nas paradas foram gravados com um U87 do que qualquer outro microfone na história.
Então, por que você quer encontrar a melhor alternativa ao U87?
Há algumas razões, é claro, e voltarei a isso. Este microfone é reconhecido como sendo o auge dos microfones para gravação de vocais. Mas tem uma variedade de aplicações e é ótimo para instrumentos acústicos, overheads e como microfone de sala.
Neumann- Algumas coisas são feitas para ser
Se você olhar para a história desta empresa, verá que algo em algum lugar os preservou para nos dar o U87. Fundada em 1923 em Berlim, sua fábrica foi bombardeada em 1943.
Depois de se mudar para o leste, eles foram tomados pelo regime comunista soviético no final da guerra. Eles foram reivindicados como uma empresa 'estatal', gostando ou não.
Se não fosse a reunificação e a queda do Muro de Berlim, talvez nunca mais os tivéssemos visto. Mas tivemos que esperar até aquele evento que mudaria a história. Então eles poderiam olhar por um buraco na parede e dizer olá. Nós ainda estamos aqui.
Valeu a pena esperar? Pergunte a Sinatra ou Presley. Bing Crosby ou os Beatles. Acho que provavelmente foi.
Mas não chegou de repente O U87 não acabou de chegar. Em 1947, Neumann lançou um grande microfone condensador, que se tornaria uma lenda, o apropriadamente chamado U47.
A atuação foi alucinante. O detalhe e a qualidade tonal são quase incomparáveis. Um dos melhores microfones já feitos, com bons exemplos vintage agora sendo vendidos por cerca de US$ 20.000.
Avanço rápido para 1967 Foi um ano para recordar por muitas razões.
- O Vietnã estava ganhando intensidade.
- O assassinato de estudantes universitários desarmados do Estado de Kent, anti-Vietnã, pela Guarda Nacional dos EUA, alguns meses antes, estava tendo repercussões nacionais.
- Dr. Christian Barnard realizou o primeiro transplante de coração.
- O primeiro Monterey Rock Festival aconteceu.
- Os árabes atacaram Israel para iniciar a Guerra do Yom Kippur.
- E… Neumann lançou o sucessor do U47, o U67.
E vinte anos depois, quando muito menos estava acontecendo, veio o Sub-87 Por que é tão bom? Observe que eu disse 'é' e não 'era'. É muito bom, mas é caro e parece. É versátil também. Todos nós sabemos disso para os vocais, como eu disse, mas funciona bem com muito mais.
Há algo errado com isso? "Errado" não é a palavra certa para usar. Se você está dizendo ‘errado’, então não, não há. Mas pode haver algumas coisas que podem causar um problema, a saber…
A sensibilidade Normalmente, quanto mais sensível o microfone, melhor, permitindo que ele capte todas as nuances da performance, especialmente com os vocais. Mas nem sempre é assim. Às vezes pode ser um pouco contraproducente.
Se a sala ou a cabine em que você estiver usando não for acusticamente perfeita, você captará reflexos. Cada pequeno detalhe vai ser arrematado. Coisas que não seriam um problema com outros microfones 'locadores' podem de repente se tornar um problema.
Se o seu espaço de gravação estiver nesta categoria, você pode ficar melhor com a melhor alternativa U87 menos sensível.
No entanto… A sensibilidade torna-se insignificante quando começamos a falar sobre o preço. O preço provavelmente ficará fora do que a maioria das pessoas poderia gastar.
Alguns acham muito caro. Alguns dizem o mesmo sobre um Bentley. Nenhum deles é. Você obtém o que você paga em ambos os casos. No entanto, aqueles que dizem que é muito caro têm algo em comum com os críticos do carro. Se você nunca dirigiu um Bentley, simplesmente não vai entender. E se você nunca gravou com um U87, o mesmo se aplica.
A realidade E isso, é claro, é incrivelmente relevante, pois a maioria das pessoas que está gravando simplesmente não poderá comprar um U87 ‘real’. Portanto, é melhor começar a procurar uma alternativa, então aqui estão algumas ótimas sugestões começando com o…
Top 4 Melhores Alternativas U87 para o Dinheiro em 2022 Comentários
- 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.
Prós
- Nice warm-sounding low mids.
- Compact and strong design and build.
Contras
- 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.
O Som 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.
Prós
- A good-looking build and is a versatile mic with a nice mid-range.
- Hands-on controls make it easy to operate.
- Very affordable.
Contras
- 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.
A construção 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.
Prós
- Very good SPL and low self-noise.
- Well made with some quality sound production features.
Contras
- 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.
Prós
- Good build that produces a warm vocal sound.
- Packed with AKG nohow and features.
Contras
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 .
Feliz gravação.
