Tube Mic Shootout - Telefunken U48, Neumann U67, OPR 251 Ultralux , OPR C12 Ultralux, Part 3
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Part 3: Open Plan Recording OPR-C12 Ultralux and OPR-251 Ultralux tube microphone shootout.
In this video I visit Melbourne, Australia's Woodstock Studios to record vocals with producer/engineer Richard Stolz.
Together we create the ultimate Tube mic shootout comparing a vintage Telefunken U48 and a Neumann U67 with the OPR-C12 Ultralux and OPR-251 Ultralux tube mics.
Again the capsules as close to the same position as possible, with me singing into the centre position of all 4 mics.
Direct A/B comparisons are demonstrated, firstly dry (no music backing) and then with music backing.
Note:
Mics were recording through Woodstock's Neve 1066 mic preamps, and no EQ or compression is used whatsoever. Playback sees 3db of Waves Renaissance compression with an auto-attack and release setting.
Made by hand in Melbourne by artisan mic maker Mark Chierego, inspired by the AKG-C12 and Telefunken 251 mics, we thoroughly test these beautiful mics.
Note: this is NOT a paid promotion.
About the project:
So, I've come up with a cunning little plan. That is to record a new song: 'Closing in on You' using these mics in tandem, on every instrument! Then I'll present two song mixes, a C12 mix and a 251 mix. I'll also make available the multitrack on a new Talking Sonics website (soon to be launched).
With its hand-wired point to point circuit, the build quality goes all the way, mounted on acrylic just like the original. And they look stunning!
Both the OPR C12 and 251 have nine polar patterns from figure 8 to Omni. They come with a PSU, mic pouch, cable, heavy-duty shock mount and an aluminium flight case.
To order or contact Mark, please visit:
www.openplanre...
Song recorded: Closing in on You, written by Jamie Durrant,
Copyright words and music by Jamie Durrant 2021
All gorgeous. I just love the way the U48 sits right in mix. They carve their own place in the spectrum and the mid honk transient is so special.
True, it's a special mic.
The OPR-251 was nice. Cool VDO.
It’s fantastic
Awesome comparison! Solo and in-the-mix examples 😎👍
Apologies for the very late reply! So glad you liked it!
I get the impression from all the comparisons that the C12 clone develops more proximity effect in the low end. It was not apparent with the more distant miking of vox and drums (previous video).
Thanks Jamie, for your well produced and clear shoot-out.
I was on You Tube, searching for a comparison of ribbon mics. OPR make a very good Royer clone. I'd love to hear how the OPR Grill U mod stacks up against a Royer.
Mark from OPR is a great guy, I suggest you reach out to him on this matter!
Interestingly I felt the vintage Neumanns were pretty dull and boring here, just IMO, whether it’s just those particular ones, or perhaps the 251 just suits you more Jamie? The 251 while sounding nice in the mix when in solo had a less pleasing thing in the top end that I don’t hear in my OPR 251, but I know Mark has voiced them darker in the revision I’ve got so maybe it’s that. Fun content as usual Jamie 🎉
You know there are a lot of people that jump to the U48 immediately without considering what’s best for my voice. I loved the 251. And for the price $2.5k AUD vs say approx $50k USD it’s amazing value and a bloody good reality check! Glad you enjoyed the fun side of this! Let me know if you have any other ideas for more videos, thank you Jamie
@@jamiedurrantmusician for sure, it’s all about what suits the voice being recorded. Also, while vintage Neumanns are absolutely wonderful, they’re all likely in wildly different conditions, and aren’t necessarily great just because they’re Neumanns..
I think what I love about your videos Jamie is you make accessible content for those of us who have more modest setups, I’d like to see some more content around using tape ✌️
@@andrewwhitehouse1878 Fair comments! Regarding tape, yeah that would be good, even a chat about my vintage Tascam Porta One mini studio from my early teens!
That OPR-251 is sounds awesome!!!
I love it
Finally got round to watching Jamie. All great mics. That Telefunken is just a wondrous thing! I reckon that would need the least amount of post on it.......stunning! I'm leaning towards the C12 from OPR out of the others, purely because of the way it treated the high end on your vocals....less sibilant. Would need to reduce some of the bottom end though. All mighty fine I reckon!
C12s are well known for being fantastic mics for female voices, because of the low boost - clearly I don't need it, but I agree the top end is lush! As for the U48, I think it has its place, although it's perhaps more rock than any other genre.
I would double on that. Very surprisingly the C12 clone was less sibilant and resembled U48 more than any of the other microphones.
U67 & U48
Apologies for the very late reply! I think the U67 is too mellow actually... U48 is super cool, next best for me is the OPR 251!
251 sounds awesome. Open, upfront, modern, smooth top. Great review mate. Keep on making great video like this
Cheers - new video and final 251 and C12 mixes coming this weekend
@@jamiedurrantmusician awesome. And when will the raw tracks available ? Can’t access your website
@@EriksonRudy multitracks hopefully this weekend also - can you not see talkingsonics.com ? Where are you located, so I can check domain and DNS
@@jamiedurrantmusician I’m in Indonesia
@@EriksonRudy okay, I’ll ask my server guys tomorrow about that one... but if you can help me that would be cool... pls go to dnswatch.info - then type in talkingsonics.com and make a screen shot of the report and email to essentialsmagazine@gmail.com that would be great
Great Explanation.... Love frm India..
I like this Microphone
Putting this here so i can flick between em quickly...
Vocal 1:
4:51 OPR 251
5:10 OPR C12
5:30 U48
5:49 U67
Vocal 2:
6:09 OPR 251
6:23 OPR C12
6:35 U48
6:47 U67
Vocal 3:
7:00 OPR 251
7:12 OPR C12
7:24 U48
7:36 U67
Vocal in mix:
7:50 OPR 251
8:01 OPR C12
8:11 U48
8:19 U67
8:29 OPR 251
8:34 OPR C12
8:38 U48
8:45 OPR 251
8:52 U48
8:57 U67
9:03 U48
9:08 OPR C12
9:13 OPR 251
9:17 U67
9:22 U48
9:27 OPR C12
9:32 OPR 251
9:39 U48
You’re helpful... I guess this is a hint!
I like these active links - never seen that on RUclips before - you’re on it... I assume the URL coding is fairly simple?
@@jamiedurrantmusician No coding necessary, you literally just write the number and RUclips automatically links it for you. RUclips is a smarty pants
@@BloomcoreMusic clever I’ll try it out thank you
If it wasn't for the sibilance the OPR 251 Ultralux would of won. Otherwise a neutral desser can help solve that in post. Using a heavier or regular non metal pop filter could help. OPR 251 kicks butt in other frequencies IMO. Once again it is all about taste and post edits. The OPR 251 IS WORTH BUYING if you know what voices it would work with and if you are ok doing a little post eq.. That sibilance is common in thier CK12 type mics. I have purchased 2 of their mics, not these ones being showcased.
I think, personally, you're 100% on it ! Thing is however, I actually think the U48 is non sibilant because it lacks that silky high end. There's a lot the rolls off. As you said, a dresser can solve the issue. The OPR 251 is a deluxe sounding microphone and a serious mic with buckets of tone, and for such a low cost. All hand built, gold spluttered diaphragms, hand wired, I could go on. Just buy one!!
Closing in on YOOOOUUUUUAAAAAAAHHHH
And a chance is a thing you know so well and I'm...
I’ve been enjoying your videos Jamie. You’re presenting well to the camera & lighting in your studio & on yourself all looks good. Well done. Are you editing these yourself? Thought the track sounds great, big solid sound & the guitar tones sound really good!
Hi Dave, glad you’re liking the look, yes I’ve improved the lighting on this one, with a little background colour and some indirect light from a profoto silver umbrella. I’m getting more comfortable with presenting, and attempting to get the words out cleanly,... editing myself in Premier Pro. All shot on iPhone 7plus via an app that allows me to set white balance, ISO and exposure. The iPhone camera app is next to useless! It’s just amazing how the track is sounding for one main drum mic and EV666 kick. This speaks volumes for the mics and good recording sources, arrangement and confident performances. And everything else one OPR mic. Very happy with my performances too. It’s been incredibly length work to get the videos done, but I make it look easy, that’s because it’s so much fun!
@@jamiedurrantmusician can appreciate how much work goes into these. iPhone shoots great quality vision except in low light. I’d think you’d be able to do any colour balances in Premiere without using a separate app first. Keep up the good work.
@@Beatledave7 with a colour corrected temperature setting in the app and with low ISO and using bright lights I get much less noise from the iphone - works well.
prices?
$2350 AUD each, including flight case, PSU, timber mic case and cables - amazing value. Let me know you’d like to buy pls, I’ll ask Mark to put you on the priority sales list.
U48 won by a mile
That’s a very special U48 and is valued at around $45k USD. I’m thinking the Open Plan Recording 251 stands bloody tall in comparison and for $2500 AUD is a wonderful mic
OPR are very bad compare to legendary mics. Not the same prices.
Are you saying the OPR mics sound bad in this comparison or are you saying you’ve used a bunch before and don’t like them? I think the quality is high and I prefer the 251. This comparison is a tough call though as it’s up against a $60,000 valued Neumann U48, and while it should not sound like that mic it stands tall among the group.
@@jamiedurrantmusician for what i heard on microphones comparisons , it's under 3000 $ microphones are bad upper 4000hz.
@@18CC ok, well it's all about taste too. The term 'bad' is not a strong description, can you expand on that?
@@jamiedurrantmusician Sibilances are a huge issue with microphones like I said before. Every "S" are harsh and unpleasant.
I think U87 is very popular because it is one of the cheaper microphone with clean sibilances. Not because it is particulary the best mic ever.
@@18CC fair enough