87 mic blind shootout comparison
A friend sent me these clips of a blind shootout between five 87 type microphones. The Neumann 87 is iconic and revered. It may also be the most cloned mic out there (either the 87 or the 47, I suspect).
In the shootout, the performer sang into all five mics at the same time so the vocal performance is identical other than the microphone. They were tracked through an Antelope MP32 preamp with no equalization or compression added. Additionally, no pads or high passes were engaged on any of the mics. The only thing added was a small amount of reverb.
The five mics are...
1. vintage U87
2. U87ai
3. Serrano 87
4. BeesNeez BU87i C
5. Warm Audio WA-87
The mic identities were revealed to me today and I'll post them here once some responses pile up. I don't expect anyone to guess which mic is which but list your order of preference and some thoughts on what you heard, what you liked, and what you didn't like.
__________________
Jim
2023 Iris ND-200 maple/adi
2017 Circle Strings 00 bastogne walnut/sinker redwood
2015 Circle Strings Parlor shedua/western red cedar
2009 Bamburg JSB Signature Baritone macassar ebony/carpathian spruce
2004 Taylor XXX-RS indian rosewood/sitka spruce
1988 Martin D-16 mahogany/sitka spruce
along with some electrics, zouks, dulcimers, and banjos.
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