I agree with the first part, but that’s not to say that you couldn’t save yourself a ton of money and heartache and just get a reissue paired with the right pre 😄🤷🏼♂️
@@stab1820 Great question! And sorry if I came across as more of an "expert" than I actually am! My hands-on experience (particularly with high-end gear) is very limited, but to at least speak broadly, I would think a sort of "warmer" pre would at least get one started in a more "vintage" direction - or maybe just something with impedance switching like Focusrite's ISA stuff or those newer SSL PureDrive pres. I'm kinda thinking out loud at this point, but I don't know how tube mics' power supplies and impedance switching might get along, it just seems like that MIGHT be a more effective (not to mention COST-effective) option than trying pre after pre after pre after pre. Then again, you never know when those stars can align and it's like, "The Vintech didn't quite get me there, but the STAM 1073 is magic!" lol I guess that's where a lot of the fun/obsession lies, and hey, if this was all simple and objective, there wouldn't be a whole industry or videos like this one 😉😄 Good luck!
That might be due to the component variations between the two: the tolerances might have shifted ab it being that it's so old, despite the museum-like condition it's in.
The smoothness of the original is so nice. Everything instantly sits pleasantly with the vintage mic. It’s tough because that mic is maybe 60-70 years old. The new one sounds very close. The low end of the new one has a bit of that woof that is very nice, especially in Omni.
That was a great comparison. I was able to to hear the difference and really enjoyed the way the reissue sounds on the majority of the sources, except for the violin and guitar. That may be just because I'm older though, with attenuated hearing in the high mids
Preferred the reissue on this one. More clarity and definition across the mids and highs. Yet loved the vintage lows, more round and cozy. I would say the microphones are akin to a new speaker vs one that's been well worn in. I'm digging the new speaker sound though
To my ears, in all of the examples (thanks for doing this so accurately) the reissue adds more of the high frequencies (snare drum - drastically), thus taking away what I find most appealing with the vintage Neumanns: the rounding of "edgy" signal portions. Still Neumann in the reissue does a good job in keeping the 3D image. This is what (in my humble opinion) is lost in all clones that I've listened to. I just had a vocal recording session: two female singers with the original M49, made by the Nordwestdeutsche Rundfunk, Hamburg in 1952...there is nothing that sounds like this...
Really interesting! Thanks for making a high quality and thorough video, I’m sure myself and many others will be coming back to this many times for future reference! The M49 vintage sounded a little brighter in the super highs to me, but a little dipped in the high mids compared to the new one, whereas the new one didn’t sound quite as clear on the consonants of the vocals or the ticks of the hi hat, but it sounded brighter on the electric guitar due to the high mids coming out a little stronger. It’s like it depends on the frequency balance of the source, a source that’s mid heavy might sounds brighter on the new ones and warmer on the old one, something with more super highs might sound clearer on the old one. In omni on drums both sounded practically identical! I’m not sure if I need a mic of this calibre, when a well regarded Flea 49 could be found used for half the price, but having the name brand make their own authentic reissued of the mic that influenced so much can only be a good thing!
That might be due to the component variations between the two: the tolerances might have shifted ab it being that it's so old, despite the museum-like condition it's in.
I didn’t really appreciate the vintage mic until it got to the violin. In both the violin and bass there was a depth to the vintage mic that I really enjoyed. However, tonality they are both spot on.
They are both great. I did hear a slight bump especially with the snare in card mode not as evident in Omni. . In the upper mids. I own two vintage models. They are the finest of mics that is for certain.
actually thought the reissue sounded better on the vocals, more present in your face, more firm and tight. the vintage was kinda more "soggy"and buttery sounding, less punchy. totally different transient tightness response that's what I think is the most different between the two. The depth also seems to be a bit different while the vintage seems to sit a bit further back in the spacial sense
Vintage sounds a little airier up top, re-issue thicker in the lower mids with a hint of a midrange bump between 1-3Khz. Vintage sounds a bit more balanced overall to my ears.
It is always the same story with vintage vs reissue don’t matter if it’s guitars, synths, mics, amps etc. vintage signals need less effort in the Postproduktion. Less boomy less harsh and super pleasing mids 🍫
Really don’t get why they can’t just use exactly the same materials and make the same mic. Or if they are using the exact same materials put R&D into some coatings or treatment to help the mic sound more “vintage” because the OG one def sounds fuller, clearer and has way more energy and pizazz in the mids.
Using a transparent preamp will reveal the true nature of each microphone. If using a colored preamp it will smoothen out the imperfections och each microphone.
Thank you for posting a comprehensive A/B! Could hear a slight difference on a Macbook laptop - the vintage 49 sounded warmer (less transients) than the new one, though the sound signature was definitely there. Of course this could be due to decades old parts. Already have a vintage 49 but if i were looking for a new one or a pair, this would definitely be an option. Any news on a reissue 47/48? ;)
Will be fun to hear this comparison in another 30 years when the reissue will be considered vintage.
That mic is endgame. One day i will buy this
The vintage sounds instantly like a record, and this isn't a hype is the reality. Hope one day can purchase a vintage Neumann..
I agree with the first part, but that’s not to say that you couldn’t save yourself a ton of money and heartache and just get a reissue paired with the right pre 😄🤷🏼♂️
@@yobhsiFehT which pre do you think the best for reissue?
@@stab1820 Great question! And sorry if I came across as more of an "expert" than I actually am! My hands-on experience (particularly with high-end gear) is very limited, but to at least speak broadly, I would think a sort of "warmer" pre would at least get one started in a more "vintage" direction - or maybe just something with impedance switching like Focusrite's ISA stuff or those newer SSL PureDrive pres. I'm kinda thinking out loud at this point, but I don't know how tube mics' power supplies and impedance switching might get along, it just seems like that MIGHT be a more effective (not to mention COST-effective) option than trying pre after pre after pre after pre. Then again, you never know when those stars can align and it's like, "The Vintech didn't quite get me there, but the STAM 1073 is magic!" lol I guess that's where a lot of the fun/obsession lies, and hey, if this was all simple and objective, there wouldn't be a whole industry or videos like this one 😉😄 Good luck!
Both sound great. You can really hear the difference in the drum examples. The snare is much more mellow in the vintage.
That might be due to the component variations between the two: the tolerances might have shifted ab it being that it's so old, despite the museum-like condition it's in.
The smoothness of the original is so nice. Everything instantly sits pleasantly with the vintage mic. It’s tough because that mic is maybe 60-70 years old. The new one sounds very close. The low end of the new one has a bit of that woof that is very nice, especially in Omni.
I’d love to hear the reissue next to a FleA 49 and Wunder CM49. I’d definitely be very curious about that comparison.
Yes. Me too. Wunder makes excellent mics. Their CM67 is a superb mic.
Violinist was amazing
Couldn't agree more!
@@vintagekingproaudio what pre amp was used on vocals
she always sound amazing... doesn't matter the mic or pre. love her voice
That was a great comparison. I was able to to hear the difference and really enjoyed the way the reissue sounds on the majority of the sources, except for the violin and guitar. That may be just because I'm older though, with attenuated hearing in the high mids
Preferred the reissue on this one. More clarity and definition across the mids and highs. Yet loved the vintage lows, more round and cozy. I would say the microphones are akin to a new speaker vs one that's been well worn in. I'm digging the new speaker sound though
Ryan this is awesome!!!
To my ears, in all of the examples (thanks for doing this so accurately) the reissue adds more of the high frequencies (snare drum - drastically), thus taking away what I find most appealing with the vintage Neumanns: the rounding of "edgy" signal portions. Still Neumann in the reissue does a good job in keeping the 3D image. This is what (in my humble opinion) is lost in all clones that I've listened to. I just had a vocal recording session: two female singers with the original M49, made by the Nordwestdeutsche Rundfunk, Hamburg in 1952...there is nothing that sounds like this...
That sounds beautiful. Looks proper dapper as well.
Fantastic demo
They are both very similar. The new one has a bit of extra detail in the upper treble but I don't mind.
Thought it sounded amazing, spot on 😍
Great job, the reissue is great but in my opinion much more sibilant, which is what makes the vintage mic more desirable.
Hello Bryan, Takashi and rustbelt! ❤
The reissue responds faster to the transients. The freq. response is very close. Sounds very good.
Really interesting! Thanks for making a high quality and thorough video, I’m sure myself and many others will be coming back to this many times for future reference!
The M49 vintage sounded a little brighter in the super highs to me, but a little dipped in the high mids compared to the new one, whereas the new one didn’t sound quite as clear on the consonants of the vocals or the ticks of the hi hat, but it sounded brighter on the electric guitar due to the high mids coming out a little stronger. It’s like it depends on the frequency balance of the source, a source that’s mid heavy might sounds brighter on the new ones and warmer on the old one, something with more super highs might sound clearer on the old one.
In omni on drums both sounded practically identical!
I’m not sure if I need a mic of this calibre, when a well regarded Flea 49 could be found used for half the price, but having the name brand make their own authentic reissued of the mic that influenced so much can only be a good thing!
That might be due to the component variations between the two: the tolerances might have shifted ab it being that it's so old, despite the museum-like condition it's in.
The vintage M49 seems to have more depth. But another vintage M49 might sound completely different. I think the reissue holds its own.
hopefully it does for $8500
Fantastic
I didn’t really appreciate the vintage mic until it got to the violin. In both the violin and bass there was a depth to the vintage mic that I really enjoyed. However, tonality they are both spot on.
The vintage just sounds like an old recording. Damnit, I wish I couldn’t hear a difference haha
Just Brilliant. first time I can say - they nailed it! On overhead new sound bit different. but not in bad way. if not say reissue is a bit better!
They are both great. I did hear a slight bump especially with the snare in card mode not as evident in Omni. . In the upper mids. I own two vintage models. They are the finest of mics that is for certain.
Hey there! Where is your studio located and is there a contact email? Thanks!
Reissue sounds HARD on vocals. Why they keep doing that?
Ri + soothe2 = vintage. 😜
soothe makes it sound like plastic and dead
actually thought the reissue sounded better on the vocals, more present in your face, more firm and tight. the vintage was kinda more "soggy"and buttery sounding, less punchy. totally different transient tightness response that's what I think is the most different between the two. The depth also seems to be a bit different while the vintage seems to sit a bit further back in the spacial sense
New M 49 sounds better than older version.
I still like vintage.
Vintage sounds a little airier up top, re-issue thicker in the lower mids with a hint of a midrange bump between 1-3Khz. Vintage sounds a bit more balanced overall to my ears.
It is always the same story with vintage vs reissue don’t matter if it’s guitars, synths, mics, amps etc. vintage signals need less effort in the Postproduktion. Less boomy less harsh and super pleasing mids 🍫
Really don’t get why they can’t just use exactly the same materials and make the same mic. Or if they are using the exact same materials put R&D into some coatings or treatment to help the mic sound more “vintage” because the OG one def sounds fuller, clearer and has way more energy and pizazz in the mids.
👍👍👍
🙌
Do you know what the internal switches on the reissue were set to?
what was tracking chain? thanks
As used on the YT channel The First Take
ruclips.net/video/h-hPGRSjgms/видео.html
what preamplifier and converters are used in this video ?
Using a transparent preamp will reveal the true nature of each microphone. If using a colored preamp it will smoothen out the imperfections och each microphone.
Great shootout from VK as always! I did a side by side with the TLM to see how they hold up.
ruclips.net/video/uqK_9JQsd6s/видео.html
Old one is much fatter and warm
impressive
Thank you for posting a comprehensive A/B! Could hear a slight difference on a Macbook laptop - the vintage 49 sounded warmer (less transients) than the new one, though the sound signature was definitely there. Of course this could be due to decades old parts. Already have a vintage 49 but if i were looking for a new one or a pair, this would definitely be an option. Any news on a reissue 47/48? ;)