TF47, MA300, C414TLII and U87ai mic shootout
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- This is a shootout between 4 mics in my studio's mic locker:
Telefunken TF47
Mojave MA300
Neumann U87ai
AKG C414TLII
All 4 were used to track vocal, upright bass and drums as sets of passes with matching mic. The guitar was recorded earlier, and is the only part to stay consistent (ribbon mic).
I used a Fopcusrite ISA 428mkII for tracking because it is an open, transparent, neutral sounding preamp. I matched gain going into the preamp, so channel saturation would be basically equal across takes.
High quality headphones or studio monitors are recommended as the differences are subtle. You can download 24/96 wav files here: www.dropbox.co...
There is also the "reveal" of which take is which in that dropbox. I recommend watching and listening first.
Really nice shootout - you sounded great on all of them. Thanks for including Mojave!
I still own and use my MA300s all the time! I’m very glad you enjoyed!
@@RooftopRecording which one was the Mojave ma300?
The full results as well as all of the WAV files of the session are available here:
www.dropbox.com/home/RT%20Videos/Mic%20shootout
Thanks for watching!
Whoa! I'm equally impressed at the performance as I am the quality of the review itself. This is fantastic. Extremely well done!
Thank you so much for the very kind words!
Man, you are gooooood. Liked 3,1,4,2... and now I know which one is which and convinced on the hunch I had on number 3. Definitely a buy.
Thanks much! I'm torn myself about which one I like where. The TF47 is my #1 go to vocal mic these days. Thanks for watching!
Nice job! And for my own ears, the Mojave over the Neumann... I was interested in both Mics, and your video along with other RUclips channels, have sold me on the Mojave line-up. Thank you for an entertaining, and informational video. There was a lot of "information" in those single tracks if people took the time to listen. Thank you!
I’m glad it helped you! Enjoy your Mojave! I especially love mine as drum overheads, on basses (amps and upright) and rich baritone voices.
This is how a mic shootout should be done -- in the mix and without knowing which mic is on. So many of the RUclips shootouts with a dry vocalist going down a line of expensive mics are not very helpful, but that's what retailers do to try to convince us we should pay for a Neumann or other knockoff. I have the MA-200 (same as MA-300 with only one pattern), and it sounded wonderful recording a baritone vocalist yesterday. Among these four on your voice, I prefer the Telefunken.
Thanks. I have plans for more of this. I just got some new to me 421U5, a M201tg, and I want to shoot these out next to my SM57, I5 and maybe my RE20 too. It will be harder to structure those across a whole mix. I’ll have to see how I can figure out to do this one. I’m definitely a fan of blind with results available.
Awesome video! Was interested in either a TF47 or a u87 for vocals. Ironically, they were both my favorites after checking your dropbox. I'm leaning towards the Telefunken.
For most vocals, the TF 47 wins here. It gets used on about 80-90% of all singers. Thanks much!
Like the sound of your space too!
Thanks for watching! I bought my house with this large 3+ car sized space knowing it would be the studio! I'm very fortunate to have this much room.
They all sounded great but it is your performance that stood out the most, great! You for hire to do some vocal tracks?
I will be happy to talk to you about that. Please email me at RooftopRecording@gmail.com.
Thanks for this. As to your voice, I think the Neumann U-87 was the most pleasing.
A couple of corrections. The previous series was the “RFK” from Telefunken. This series is the Alchemy.
Second, I mis-spoke while describing the MA300. A U67 is a Neumann. They were post Telefunken branding.
perfect performance! I like 4 and 1. You are probably like 3 (most vintage one). thank you!
Thank you! I like all 4 on different things. I use MA300 as drum overheads, 414 or U87 on my piano, 414 on bass, TF47 is the main vocal mic, but on my own voice, I like the U87 when I sing backing vocals, and the TF47 for lead vocals. MA300 is great for many male voices. They are all in the permanent collection, unless I end up getting something even more boutique in the U47 clone world. I'm looking at a Heiserman U48 clone.
Damnit, I liked 3 the best... the most expensive. The mic I was interested in buying, the mojave, I actually liked the least. Thanks for this.
All 4 of these stay in my permanent collection. They all get used regularly. If you want real surety, rent each you’re interested in for a weekend and shoot out on your own. If you’re a drive from Flint, MI, you can always book a session, or with any local studio that has the mics you’re interested in. Thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed.
I preferred the Mojave MA-300 for all instruments and the Telefunken TF47 for your specific vocal. They're all great in their own right but I have a preference for darker mics and the AKG and Neumann can be somewhat hyped in the high end.
That’s pretty close to my use. The U87s get a lot of use, but the MA300s often are instrumental choices for me. TF47 gets 90% of the lead vocal duties. MA300 are a go-to for backing vocals too.
What a wonderful performance! All of the mics sound high quality. Mic 1 has a distracting sheen on top. Mic 2 has a smooth, pleasant sound, but clipped in part 2. Mic 3 has more saturation which gives it roundness and weight. Mic 4 sounded like a compromise of all. It had some of the brightness of Mic 1 while retaining the more natural sound without the extra weight and maybe even a little thin. If the clipping can be avoided, I would choose Mic 2 for my taste. I think it might be a good choice for me.
Wow, I picked the Mojave. It just complimented your voice really well and has a ‘velour vintage’ warmth to it. It also suits the genre perfectly. Sorta Crooner-ish. Lennon-esque even. Like a velour tracksuit. Lol. My second fave ended up being the AKG. So you may be onto something as regards C12 voiced mics for baritones! I’m curious as to how you would sound on a Sony C37a which also has a creaminess to it but in the high frequencies.
Thanks so much for watching. It's funny how many different favorites everyone has. All of these mics are still living in my permanent collection.
@@RooftopRecording Agreed. That Mojave really is something special. The older I get, the darker my mic preferences become.
Great review. I own the MA300 (which is getting retubed after only a few months, boo) so I picked that one cleanly! Also got the Neumann, but I inverted the two Austrian sounds! The extra brightness, and sucked out low mids are the giveaway! In terms of my preferences, man, it was close! Nod to the Neumann for the neutrality and warmth, the balance, with the Mojave almost on top because of that wondrous, fat bottom sound! I use mine as a streamer and podcast mic, which is a true waste, but the new ones in beige are pretty, and my nerd audience is always curious about the mic (fed by an RME Babyface Pro FS, a nice combo with one being analytical, other syrupy).
You have a great voice!
Thank you much! One of my MA300s has been re-tubed twice. Mojave actually sent me 3 tubes in case I need one again. I do that sort of soldering myself. In full disclosure, I just sold the TF47 since I got a Wunder CM7GS, which has KILLER low end and sounds quite like the TF47, only more... More of all of it. I use the U87s a LOT. The 414s could probably go for me, but I used them tonight on a live gig. If they're still getting used, they stay! Good luck with your podcast. It sounds like your sounds are well covered!
@@RooftopRecording have you noticed you have a fondness for the k-47 capsule..it seems to be in all of your favorite mics...the Mojave, The Neumann, the T47 and the Wunder Cm7 all variants of the u47. the best fet U47 I own is the Mojave ma300fet and I have the origina from Neumann. If you love 47 variants my favorite are the CM7GS and the Lawson 47 through an original Dean Jensen Twin Servo Preamp.
As much as I can't STAND that the U87 is so expensive, and seems like it SHOULDN'T be anything special, that damn microphone just sounds like a professional recording right away. It has a more expensive sounding bottom or mid-forward sound, but it honestly has a great sheen on top too.
I use all 4 of these mics, with a pair of the 414s and MA300s all the time. I think they are all in league of greats. I do want to pair up my U87 and a TLM170 I don’t have in this shootout. That’s the real problem with great mics. You’ll always want 2 or more!
On this example, I like them in the following order 2, 3, 1, 4. Excellent shootout. Thanks for doing this.
Thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed. My preference is pretty similar, and is different on different elements. Be sure to download the high-res from the link in the description for results and an even better listen.
Now thats how you do a shootout! Nice performance as well!
Very interesting. It’s a pity we can hear the room reverb on the raw files. That way, the Mojave seems the best followed by the TF47. The sound is clearer on these two. It is not a matter of brightness, it’s like there is a fabric over the two others. Then in the mix, it’s almost impossible to distinguished wich one is wich.
Interesting that you find the room sound on the raw files a problem. I like to record, and hear music in live spaces. I personally find it a feature of a recording, and very useful in shootouts to hear what off axis response sounds like. Would you have preferred to hear these mics from my dead booth when possible? I'll consider that for future shootouts if you find it helpful. For me, it's the opposite. I like the Mojaves. It just won a shootout, but for my Wunder Audio CM12, which is like 5 times as much $$. I sold the TF47 for a Wunder CM7, but I still like the TF47. I just can't keep them all. I do still have the MA300s, 414 and U87s.
@@RooftopRecording In fact, as is it is perfect. It shows how mic is sensitive to the room treatment. Thank you for your feedback.
everything sounds great!
My biggest take away from every video I’ve made is they do all sound great! Every one of these would make a fine recording. I have kept them all and many other mics besides! Frankly, I use these videos as a good way to learn my gear when I get something new, as with the TF47 in this video. Thank you for watching.
@@RooftopRecording I also meant your playing and singing!
Great demonstration!
Thanks for posting this. Great comparison and great singing! The drop box files were helpful in really hearing the differences. I think the u87 is by far the best. I wanted to buy a tf47 but it actually one of my least favorite, i think the AKG was better. My own opinion...
I tend to agree that the 87 is the highest class all around, though I find spots I like each of these “best”. For my voice, I agree with your ears. The U87 and C414TLIIs are best on me. Most guys sound best on the TF47.
Oh yes, also, your opinion and ears are what matter, and why I share these. I don’t want to imply a fav, just show how they sound, as accurately as possible and leave it at that.
@@RooftopRecording im in the market for a new mic, thats how I found your video. Im between the AKG and the funken. I have a low, rough, boomy type voice. Any thoughts on what might work would be helpful if you care to give your opinion. I wont hold you accountable lol...
Great performance all around!
My guess is
Mic 1 - C414
Mic 2 - U87
Mic 3 - M300
Mic 4 - TF47
Thanks. There is a link above to a Dropbox with results.
Great shootout men, I was looking for some MA-300 reviews and stumbled upon this and it’s great! I already have the AKG and I like it but was looking to buy a Mojave, you recommend this model or the MA-200? Or should I buy the TLM 103? Thanks and keep it up!
I really depends on what you’re recording, and if your doing it for hire to others. I had a Neumann TLM102 before most of the rest of these. Clients like the name and they’re good mics. I think to me, I decided all of these are good and could make a record.
The MA300 has multiple patterns which I use all the time, and it has a 10 dB pad, which are both not on the MA300. I especially like the MA300 on male vocals and drum overheads. If you want to email me, we can exchange info and talk more in depth.
Thanks for watching!
In this mix/context I preferred mic 4.
YOU HAVE A GREAT VOICE!
Thank you very much!
Very well done! Best Mic Shootout I have heard! Do you have or have you ever tried a Neuman TLM 103? How do you think that would sound in the company of these other great Mic's?
Thanks so much for your kind comment! I don't own a TLM103, but I used to have a pair of TLM102, and have used the 103s many times in other studios. They are VERY similar to the cardioid pattern of the U87ai. They have more air on top which some people complain (like the U87ai) that they are too bright on top. I don't agree. They sound great, and the extended, slight lift on top is totally unlike that of cheap import mics, which have harshness and are not smooth. Neumann from the cheapest to the most expensive sound great. Period. I won't ever turn my nose up at their products. I use their KH310 monitors now as well. I would absolutely use TLM103s next to these, but the way and things I record, I need the fig8 pattern, so I had to spend more.
@@RooftopRecording Thank you so much for your reply! As luck would have it I found a deal on a U87 and picked it up last night. The sound difference between that and my Audio-Technical 3035 is crazy! The U87 is so clean and smooth. Seemed like every Mic Shootout I heard I always liked the sound of the U87. As much as I tried to talk myself out of it because of the cost I kept going back to it. Hopefully it was a good decision. I think I still want to pick up a Mojave MA300 at some point. Like you my voice tends to be in the lower range. Thanks again for the excellent video it really helped a lot! Your voice if fantastic as well!!!
Graceful movie, which is your favorite ?
The first mic make your voice stand out in a really pleasant way without sounding too muddy, harsh or anything. The last one was my least favorite on your voice because of the accentuated sibilants
Thanks for watching. Be sure to download the WAV files and reveal document too.
Well done.
First, thank you SO MUCH for the painstaking level of quality you ensured in this shoot-out. These mics are expensive and you truly helped us make an informed decision.
The Mojave was highly recommended to me by an audio engineer I admire. However, my goal is to get as close as possible to "a wire, with gain" -- in other words, recordings nearly indistinguishable to the actual performance -- and for me the U87ai delivered. The Mojave is definitely coloring and rounding the sound; it has a certain appeal but to me read as mid-high forward. I was impressed at how well the AKG C414 acquitted itself among this very distinguished pack. Long story short, very enlightening video; the downloads are extremely welcome; thank you a thousand times!
Thank you so much! I am planning another one on preamps and then one on my compressor arsenal.
This was fun. I 'liked' 1 and 3 best in the mix, and also on the solo tracks in dropbox. To my ear, they were a bit less dark and more open. That might be a preference based on aged ears, though. All of those recordings sound fine, and they're all good mics. You made a good choice with the TF. Did you also keep the copperhead, or did this one replace it?
Thanks as always for a well-organized lesson.
Thanks Dave. I sold the CU29 to fund the TF. As much as anything, I wanted a fig8 for guitar and voice. I think that is my next video.
Hello Rooftop: how did you come to the decision to purchase the TF47 mic, have you tried others such as the TF39 or TF51? just curious how you arrived at the TF47? Regards, Robert
I owned a CU29 before and really liked it. I have always wanted a U47, and not wanting to spend $5000+ or $20000+ for a vintage one, the TF47!seemed like a good idea.
great review ! thank you ! you are great singer and musician !
Dropbox link is empty. Can you please share the results?
Sorry you had trouble and I didn't see this till now. The link is good on my end: www.dropbox.com/sh/uskb8haz25he3y8/AACiBq40DRzsqXxnzWVeD9c-a?dl=0
like 1. Telefunken TF47 , 2 Mojave MA300 , 3 Neumann U87ai. or AKG C414 TL11
Those results are in the file called “results and notes” in the Dropbox folder at the bottom of the page.
Mic 1 on the vocal for me 🤷♂️
Thanks for watching. It's hard to go wrong with #1 on any vocalist. I find all 4 of these totally fine on my own voice. When I'm recording myself, it's a question of which one is already on a stand!
My ears must be shot because I hear no difference between the mics. Don't let these mic companies hear me say that! lol
They are very subtle differences. The raw files from the dropbox link are a little more revealing. It's more differences "at the edges" than huge, knock you over the head.
Oh, I have bad ears I guess. Im supposed to like TF47 but I didn't.
I thought ; (1) 414 , (2) U87 , (3) MA300 , (4) TF47, and I liked (4=414) best, then (2=MA300), (1=87), and (3=TF47) worst...
414 sounds full body warmy and forwardy and good high end. 87 sounded less body. MA300 is warm enough but not forwardy as 414. TF sounded harsh.
There is no “supposed to”. I do shootouts like this to learn my gear and decide what stays and goes. I use the TF47 on vocals as my main go-to. The 87 is about to be paired for stereo and gets used on lots of things. MA300s for me are my main overheads and used on anything I want big tight bass from. My 414s are what I use for my piano. They impressed me in this shootout.
@@RooftopRecording I agree with your assessment here. The TF47 works so well on your voice. Smooths out the highs and really brings out the warmth in your voice. I thought the MA300 had great off-axis performance but was much too harsh on the vocals. Similarly, I use a pair of MA-201fets for overheads as they really excel there.
so after all Things , 1 Video , Files , and Comments ,I still don't know the Mic's numbers from 1 to 4 ?????
Did you download and open the "results and notes" file? It's all the way at the bottom of that page. Scroll down, and it's there. Let me know if you have trouble. Thanks for watching!
yea don't worry about it , there no list naming the Mic's as 1. 2. 3. 4. thx for the video
Angus Brown yes there is, in the results and notes file in the Dropbox location noted above. If you want to email me at Rooftoprecording@gmail.com, I can share the results that way as well.
That preamp is the black sheep in the line. It does not do justice to the mics, a Neve 1073 would do a far better job
Thanks for sharing your opinion. 1073 is quite colored. I wanted a more neutral sound. Also, I only have 3 1073s. It would not have been possible to track them identically with those.
Too hard to get the information, put it in the description - next time keep the name of the mic on the screen the whole time it's being used.
Thanks for your suggestion. I am a fan of keeping listening blind. The a,b,c,d on screen the whole time may be helpful. Thanks for watching. .
@@RooftopRecording I LOVED the way you did this. I downloaded the files, listened carefully on reference headphones, and really appreciated making up my mind unbiased by marketing. I was seriously considering buying the Mojave, and in a blind listen, it was my least favorite. I think you just saved me $1400 so KEEP IT UP!
@@scott_pinzon thank you sir! I like all 4 of these on different things. For me, I like having a handful of matched sets. I have a pair of MA300s which are my first choice as drum overheads, and work very well on certain male voices (but not mine). I adore my TF47. I just recently added a pair of Manley Voxbox. They are changing everything in my impression of my mics. Thank you for watching! I'm curious what your plan is if not the MA300?
File isn’t opening for me. Would love to know which is which
I don't know why RUclips or DropBox keeps dropping this link. I refreshed it, and you can get to it here:
www.dropbox.com/sh/uskb8haz25he3y8/AACiBq40DRzsqXxnzWVeD9c-a?dl=0
ho do i find out which mics were which?
Oops! It seems my dropbox link was dead. It has been restored. You can find right res individual files, and results of what was what here:
www.dropbox.com/sh/uskb8haz25he3y8/AACiBq40DRzsqXxnzWVeD9c-a?dl=0
Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
I despise blind shootouts…
I'm sorry that you are so frustrated. The reveal is available by dropbox download. You can find the link in the description and put yourself fully in the know with no obligation or cost. Listening blind, I feel is the only way to decide on what you are hearing. Otherwise, your mind will play tricks on you. Thanks for watching, and enjoy the results reveal!