Why is the U87ai BETTER?

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Why is the U87ai BETTER? | MMP:EP45

Рет қаралды 975

Күн бұрын

A #u87 is one of the most used and sought after mics in history. But the cost is well outside of the range of most budgets! Warm Audio created the wa87 as an answer, but... is it truly an alternative to the U87ai?
In this video, #CarlMooreMusic displays audio examples of both the Neumann u87ai and the Warm Audio WA87 microphone in a musical context.
Viewers and listeners should understand that this is not a full shootout of the mentioned mics. However, it is a practical example of each mic in action. No post production processing has been added to each mic, however, output gain reduction was added to attempt perceived level matching.
#MooreMicsPlease #Neumann #VintageGear #Homestudio
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Website - www.carlmooremusic.com
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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:17 - U87ai Clean Preamp
1:25 - WA87 Clean Preamp
2:29 - Video Layout
2:45 - Preamps Used
3:34 - WA87 | HA73
4:06 - U87ai | HA73
4:39 - U87ai | UA 610
5:43 - WA87 | UA 610
6:49 - U87ai | Newton Silk: Blue
7:54 - U87ai | Newton Silk: Red
8:57 - WA87 | Newton Silk: Red
10:02 - WA87 | Newton Silk: Blue
11:06 - Compressor Setup
11:23 - U87ai | Tubesessor
11:44 - WA87 | Tubesessor
12:04 - U87ai | Tubesessor
12:18 - WA87 | Tubesessor
12:28 - U87ai | Bluey
12:43 - WA87 | Bluey
13:17 - U87ai | Bluey
13:33 - WA87 | Newton Silk: Red
13:54 - WA87 | Newton Silk: Blue
14:15 - U87ai | Newton Silk: Red
14:28 - U87ai | Newton Silk: Blue
14:36 - FINAL THOUGHTS

Пікірлер: 40

@Rgdonaire_07 2 ай бұрын

Excellent review! well done!

@CarlMooreMusic 2 ай бұрын

Definitely appreciate the kind words and the support!

@axxonthetrack 6 ай бұрын

Carl, your reviews really are among the best out there. In part because your voice is so clean and clear, that it’s possible to focus on how it interacts with the gear that you’re reviewing. I noticed that you used a Rupert Neve Newton in this clip. By any chance would it be possible for you to make a video running your Stam SA 800 through it? :)

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

Definitely appreciate the support and the kind words! I’m on it! For sure! I have something planned for all the Stam Audio mics I own.

@AaronDaniels123 6 ай бұрын

Great as always Carl!

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

I appreciate it man. Coming from you that means a lot!

@DapperDanLovesYou 6 ай бұрын

Always awesome to see another video! Cheers!

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

Definitely appreciate the support! I’ve got much more coming!

@DapperDanLovesYou 6 ай бұрын

@@CarlMooreMusic On the clean preamp, I thought the WA87 did a great job and held its own! However, the UA 610 *really* exaggerated their differences and put the Neumann succinctly ahead. Same thing with the Newton. Those preamps really allow the Neumann to stretch further. The WA87 sounds more compressed and “locked in” by comparison. I definitely agree with you that the Neumann adds that extra sparkle and dimension that the Warm Audio seems to be missing. WA87 still sounds quite good, but the Neumann makes it feel alive and forward and exciting! Awesome comparison!

@RedLuxeStudios 6 ай бұрын

I think I prefer the WA87 for this particular song. It has less low end than the U87, but it sounds PERFECT for this song, IMO.

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

I try to explain often that Warm Audio makes solid tools. Just has to be right context and a solid chain to accompany it.

@bobbyhofermusic 5 ай бұрын

U87 through Newton sounds finished and exciting.

@CarlMooreMusic 4 ай бұрын

That was without subtractive EQ as well. I would pull out some of 1k-1.5k and maybe tighten up the low end. But that could really be done with a dynamic EQ so it’s not totally destructive. Thanks for checking out the video and commenting!

@Wazio 2 ай бұрын

I recently sold a pair of WA87 R2 mics. They just didn't sound right next to the real Neumanns I have. I think they're a huge step up for a first "nice" condenser. But the warm WA87 mics just don't sound like U87 to me. They don't sound like my AI, my vintage 87, or any of the other Neumanns I have. Anyhow, great video!

@tom_k_d 6 ай бұрын

Thanks, great review. U87ai has more detail and is less muddy in the low mids - from my experience, it can be a bit strident on a clean preamp, but once paired with a transformer based preamp like a 1073 or Pacifica, it's doing it's magic.

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

Much appreciation for checking out the video and commenting. I honestly like the wa87 best on the Newton channel strip. As I recall, I was a fan of the Red texture over the Blue but k feel like it proved the wa87 can be used in the right conditions. And opens up possibilities for folks who don’t have a budget large enough for a u87. The u87 worked out better on the colored pres in my opinion as well. I think I was a fan of the ua610 first. Something about how the tube saturation interacted with the mic for me. I can’t say thank you enough for the interaction. This really supports the channel!

@tom_k_d 6 ай бұрын

@@CarlMooreMusic U87 / 610 / Bluey would be my pick in this shootout, which was not only very informative, but likewise a pleasure to listen to: your vocal skills are outstanding. Try the Pacifica if you can get hands on one - it's my favourite pre for the U87.

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

@tom_k_d the Bluey is a SOLID compressor to me that doesn’t get enough mention in my opinion. I’m on the hunt now for a Pacifica. I’ve seen them for years but never had a chance to try them out at all

@frubo_ssg 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!° Did you try the WA-87 R2?

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

I typically try to refrain just because it’s subjective but it’s been requested a few times so I share whew I feel it’s beneficial. I haven’t had the chance to get my hands on the r2 but from what I’ve heard it has more top end than version I have. Ive read of a few modifications to the wa87 original and plan to explore those options

@frubo_ssg 6 ай бұрын

@@CarlMooreMusic I totally agree to your final thoughts! I think the WA-87 R2 is an improvement. Have a gerat day - looking forwars getting your next video.

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

@frubo_ssg much appreciation!!! I definitely have to try the wa87 r2

@BrianSladek 6 ай бұрын

How does the U87ai compare to the Stam Audio U87T? If money was no object which would you buy?

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

Video comparing these two will be out either end of this week or top of next week. I’ll definitely share my thoughts there!

@MsInstrumentalBeatz 6 ай бұрын

Nice video! How do you like the Tubesessor? Also, do you use it with the Newton?

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for checking out and thank you for the kind words! It’s transparent in my opinion but also has saturation features that can be pushed hard. I’m a fan of the variable attack and release time options too. Lets you dial in the type of compression you want for your source/source material. I did use it with the newton. I think I was a little underwhelmed with the newton price tag and feature set but I did like the newton as a channel strip. I recently released a cover of White Christmas. I used the newton & the tubesessor together during tracking the final vocals

@MsInstrumentalBeatz 6 ай бұрын

@@CarlMooreMusic Great, thanks for your reply. I have the Newton and the Manley Core. I like both. The Newton is clean and convenient. The Manley is warm and buttery smooth. I'm interested in adding a touch of more compression for tracking, not so much for mixing. Thinking LA2A, 1176 or CL1B style (Tubsessor).

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

@@MsInstrumentalBeatz I feel like the Tubesessor is pretty smooth/transparent but if you push it and adjust the saturation settings, you can hear the drive. An option to consider from a legitimate company is the Weight Tank from locomotive audio. It’s a quality made piece, it punches higher than its price point while being well beyond reasonably priced

@MsInstrumentalBeatz 6 ай бұрын

@@CarlMooreMusic Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to check out the Weight Tank. Do you know if it can be transparent sounding more of an (hear the) effect type of unit? Many say that the CL1B hardware is pretty transparent, which is why many gravitate towards using it (esp. in urban genres of music). *I actually looked it some demos. It sounds pretty good. Thanks again.

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

@@MsInstrumentalBeatz I’ve hit that compressor pretty hard and you couldn’t tell it was even compressing. It still retained a musical nature to it

@videntemusic2465 6 ай бұрын

The best mic I tried is the roswell audio pro delphos ii is the best competition u87

@CarlMooreMusic 6 ай бұрын

I’ve never tired any of Roswell’s stuff. I wouldn’t mind it in the locker

@claudioagmfilho 28 күн бұрын

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, Dude, I think the Neumann sounds so much better. They do not sound the same at all. I mean, first of all, it's an imitation of Neumann. I know it's got, like, good sound and everything, but it should be based on itself, not on Neumann U87, you know what I mean? So that's by itself, it has no character in it. And, uh, I think it's, uh, and it's, it's, it's, uh, I don't know, I don't think you should have a mic like that. Have the mic. Do not have imitations of a mic. That's ridiculous, dude. It's like, try to pretend your, uh, your, your Corsa, uh, your, like, let me see, just try to pretend that your Chevy is a Ferrari, you know what I'm talking about? Get the real mic. I think your Neumann sounds a hundred percent better. I can hear it. I also own a Neumann too. So I know Neumanns are, like, they sound so good. It sounded better. Uh, I don't know. It sounded a lot better to me. Okay. So, um, just sell your warm, whatever it is and keep your Neumann U87.

@tecno8335 3 ай бұрын

87ai wins

@CarlMooreMusic 3 ай бұрын

What did you prefer about it over wa87?

@papikza4065 4 ай бұрын

damn warm audio sound bad

@CarlMooreMusic 4 ай бұрын

I think that’s a subjective perspective and I respect it. Appreciate you for checking the video and commenting.

@papikza4065 4 ай бұрын

can u please do tlm 170 vs u87@@CarlMooreMusic

@megacast 5 ай бұрын

I do not think it's any good at all. Bad EQ and de-esser use suck. It's just a fascination for expensive equipment of old. Antelope Audio has great modeling microphones that can mimic all. Just learn to use your spectrum analyzer with frequency response charts...

@CarlMooreMusic 5 ай бұрын

What are you talking about? No desser used at all. You’re just throwing around buzz words.