Neumann - U 67 Set

I recorded an entire album of vocals on the 103 into SSL SiX Pre, except for one track. I thought it was great, until I got to the mix and realized every single recording had to be de-essed or EQ’d to hell to get it to not be painfully harsh. That one last track, though, was an original U67 into a Neve desk. That was what made me really understand the difference - the U67 came out perfect, with pretty much nothing needed to make it sit right in the mix.

I got an old 67 and a really old 47 and I love them. BUT, I wouldn't use them for audiobooks. They're both too, big sounding. For big up front vocals or announcer style commercial spots they are the best. U87 all day for audiobooks.

I don’t think it sounds bad rather but there’s mics considerable cheaper that sound just as good. I never use mine but just keep it in the studio cause I know some people think they’re great. I just can’t think of anything I’d use it for before another mic. I don’t mind spending money on a mic - I love my U67’s (my favourite mic) but I think the U87ai is a very boring, overly bright sound that feels too pokey for me. It’s just a fine back up mic if all the others a being used already. Once it’s gone through some tube stuff it sounds much better but I just don’t get the hype at all… Heard a lot of good things about the Soyuz 017s though! Thinking about replacing mine for one of them… the get one sounds great and the tube sounds even better!

I’d do a 67 and one of the elam 260s. I’d prefer the 47 over the 67 but if you’re tracking vocals at the same time then agree the 47 should be the vocal. If it’s more pop country put them both at the 12th fret 6-10 inches away with the capsules as close together as possible. If you need to be more organic, leave the 260 at the twelfth fret and aim the 67 at the body of the guitar below the sound hole. Try to keep the mics at the same distance from the strings-ish. 1073s into distressors if you have a pair. Distressors set at 5505 in 6:1 to start. Dial in about 3-5 dbs of compression and blend the two mics to taste with the outputs of the distressors.

I'll be honest with you, I don't have enough experience with it to know. I need to borrow/rent one some day to try out - but I'm pretty set for big LDC's right now, until it is time to get a new pair to use as overheads, and I have lots of other things on the list first! And my poor experiences with the 102/103 make me skeptical of SenNeumann's TLM mics. Notably I do like the U67 and U69, just not enough to keep one around. Cost no object I'd have both, preferably a pair of 67's for OH duty. It isn't a "I don't like Neumann" thing, it is a "I'd rather use something else" thing. All I could list is things I have enough experience with to know what and why I like!

I'm a little late but it seems to me that it's stature has risen in the last ten years or so. Like, it's youtube famous now? They're great mics but I don't think they're special in the way a 251 or 47 is on some sources. But what I do find intriguing is although I'm not in love with 87s, I am in deeply committed relationships with several 67s. Mics are funny.

Unpopular opinion, but I've never been a fan of any Neumann except the U67. It's ok to not like things other do.

I'd take a 67 over an 87 any day of the week.

There is no question whatsoever that a quality LDC (like a U67) captures more detail than an SM7B. How well you hear the difference is a function of the monitoring system, listening environment and the preamp being used. But a great mic in a great studio can make it sound like the person or instrument on the other side of the glass is standing right beside you - it’s an uncanny experience. There is something to be said though about how well a given mic works with different singers. Sometimes the best mic for a certain voice is not the very best mic you have in the locker. Experimentation is important to find out which mic suits a given vocalists voice best.

I think the answer is: it depends. If they do classical, Schoeps or DPA. Maybe Gefell or Josephson. Rock: dynamics like MD421, MD441, RE20, EV635, M88, M201, SM58, SM57. Acoustic/vocal stuff: Gefell, good Neumanns (KM84, U67, U57), Beyer MC930, Josephsons. A ribbon can find its place in many places as well.