Meilleure alternative U87 - Les 4 meilleurs choix que vous devriez acheter en 2022 Review
Il n'y a pas grand-chose que vous puissiez dire sur le microphone Neumann U87 qui n'a pas déjà été dit. Souvent appelé le Saint Graal des micros, on le trouve dans tous les grands studios du monde. Et vous l'avez entendu sur d'innombrables enregistrements; en fait, on estime que plus de voix à succès ont été enregistrées avec un U87 que tout autre microphone de l'histoire.
Alors, pourquoi voudriez-vous trouver la meilleure alternative U87 ?
Il y a plusieurs raisons, bien sûr, et j'y reviendrai. Ce micro est reconnu comme étant le summum des micros pour l'enregistrement des voix. Mais il a une variété d'applications et est idéal pour les instruments acoustiques, les frais généraux et comme micro de pièce.
Neumann - Certaines choses sont censées être
Si vous regardez l'histoire de cette société, vous verrez que quelque chose les a préservés quelque part pour nous donner le U87. Fondée en 1923 à Berlin, leur usine a été incendiée en 1943.
Après s'être déplacés vers l'est, ils ont été repris par le régime communiste soviétique à la fin de la guerre. Ils ont été revendiqués comme une entreprise "d'État", qu'ils le veuillent ou non.
S'il n'y avait pas eu la réunification et la chute du mur de Berlin, nous ne les aurions peut-être jamais revus. Mais nous avons dû attendre jusqu'à cet événement qui a changé l'histoire. Ensuite, ils pourraient regarder à travers un trou dans le mur et dire bonjour. Nous sommes toujours là.
Cela valait-il la peine d'attendre ?
Demandez Sinatra ou Presley. Bing Crosby ou les Beatles. Je pense que c'était probablement le cas.
Mais il n'est pas arrivé soudainement
Les U87 ne viennent pas d'arriver. En 1947, Neumann sort un super micro à condensateur, qui deviendra une légende, le bien nommé U47.
La performance était époustouflante. Le détail et la qualité tonale sont presque incomparables. L'un des plus grands micros jamais fabriqués, avec de bons exemples vintage actuellement vendus pour environ 20 000 $.
Avance rapide jusqu'en 1967
Ce fut une année mémorable pour de nombreuses raisons.
- Le Vietnam gagnait en intensité.
- Le meurtre par la Garde nationale américaine d'étudiants non armés de l'université de Kent State anti-Vietnam quelques mois auparavant a eu des répercussions nationales.
- Dr. Christian Barnard a effectué la première transplantation cardiaque.
- Le premier festival de rock de Monterey a eu lieu.
- Les Arabes ont attaqué Israël pour déclencher la guerre du Yom Kippour.
- Et… Neumann a sorti le successeur du U47, le U67.
Et vingt ans plus tard, alors qu'il se passait beaucoup moins de choses, vint le U87
Pourquoi est-ce si bon ?
Remarquez que j'ai dit «est» et non «était». C'est très bien, mais c'est cher et ça y ressemble. Il est également polyvalent. Nous le connaissons tous pour le chant, comme je l'ai dit, mais il fonctionne bien avec bien plus encore.
Y a-t-il quelque chose qui ne va pas ?
"Mauvais" n'est pas le bon mot à utiliser. Si vous dites "faux", alors non, il n'y en a pas. Mais il se peut que certaines choses vous posent problème, à savoir…
La sensibilité
Habituellement, plus le micro est sensible, mieux c'est, ce qui lui permet de capter toutes les nuances de la performance, en particulier avec les voix. Mais ce n'est pas toujours le cas. Parfois, cela peut être un peu contre-productif.
Si la pièce ou la cabine dans laquelle vous l'utilisez n'est pas parfaitement acoustique, vous capterez des réflexions. Chaque petit détail va être happé. Des choses qui ne poseraient pas de problème avec d'autres micros "bailleurs" peuvent soudainement devenir un problème.
Si votre espace d'enregistrement est dans cette catégorie, alors vous pourriez bien être mieux avec la meilleure alternative U87 moins sensible.
Cependant…
La sensibilité devient insignifiante lorsque nous commençons à parler du prix. Le prix tombera probablement en dehors de ce que la plupart des gens pourraient se permettre de dépenser.
Certains pensent que c'est trop cher. Certains disent la même chose d'une Bentley. Ni l'un ni l'autre ne le sont. Vous obtenez ce que vous payez dans les deux cas. Cependant, ceux qui disent que c'est trop cher ont quelque chose en commun avec les détracteurs de la voiture. Si vous n'avez jamais conduit une Bentley, vous ne comprendrez tout simplement pas. And if you’ve never recorded with a U87, the same will apply.
The Reality
And this, of course, is incredibly relevant, in that most people who are recording will just not be able to afford to buy a ‘real’ U87. Therefore it’s best to start looking around for an alternative, so here are some great suggestions starting with the…
Top 4 Best U87 Alternative For The Money in 2022 Reviews
- Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphone – Best Quality U87 Alternative
- Warm Audio WA-87 Vintage-Style Condenser Microphone – Best Affordable U87 Alternative
- Peluso P-87 Large Diaphragm Condenser Mic – Best Looking U87 Alternative
- AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone – Most Versatile U87 Alternative
1 Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphone – Best Quality U87 Alternative
Let’s start with another microphone from Neumann. The TLM 103 has enough quality of performance to be considered as a great alternative to the U87 . And at about half the price, it has plenty going for it.
Some Obvious Differences
This is not a mic that can compete with the U87 in terms of versatility; I ought to make that clear. It has just a single Cardioid polar pattern instead of the multiple patterns of its cousin.
Plus, there are no filter switches and no pads to give you that optimal performance for any instrument in any scenario. So it will not be able to be used in some recording situations. There are no hidden wonders; it is a ‘what you see is what you get’ mic.
Good For Vocals
Despite what appears to be some features lacking, it is still a good mic for vocals. I am using the word ‘good,’ not ‘great,’ you will notice. You can’t refer to a mic as ‘great’ when in the presence of the U87, which is ‘great.’
The frequency response is rather flat but has a small boost at 4kHz. That can make the production of the sound a little bright at times. That can be a good thing, but sometimes it is not what is required. For example, if you are working with a singer who has a naturally harsh tone, it could end up a little bright in the mix.
Low Mids
However, the sound balance is achieved with some nice low mids that deliver a warm natural tone, a feature that is often present in Neumann mics. It is no different here, and that is one of the reasons this is a decent alternative.
Well-built
It has a strong build and a nice aesthetic design and is quite compact in its styling. Not the cheapest option I will look at, but if you want a mic that produces good vocals and don’t need a lot of versatility, it is a good option.
Avantages
- Nice warm-sounding low mids.
- Compact and strong design and build.
Inconvénients
- Not particularly versatile.
2 Warm Audio WA-87 Vintage-Style Condenser Microphone – Best Affordable U87 Alternative
Next in my Best U87 Alternative review, I have a mic that might be new to some but is certainly worth a look and has some great built-in versatility.
Is It a Clone?
Not really, but it isn’t hard to see what they have tried to do in the design of this mic. Apart from its looks, it has some interesting design features.
Like the U87, it is a large diaphragm mic that has three polar patterns. Cardioid, Figure of 8, and Omnidirectional are all easily accessible. That gives it a certain versatility. And there is a switch that will give you bass roll-off.
The Sound
It does quite well with a nice mid-range and a strong presence boost. And when compared with other mics at a similar price range, it does very well. But we are not discussing that market.
It lacks a bit of warmth when compared with more expensive mics. That comparison comes into stark focus when you compare it to the U87.
Some Good Points
But it is probably unfair to make a comparison when comparing the price points of both. But it does have some big assets. The high SPL means it handles sources that are loud easily, even with the 10dB pad turned off.
Also, it is based more on the original U87 rather than today’s updated version, which some will like. The original was not as bright at the top end as the modern version can be.
If you can live with the sound not having the warmth associated with a real U87, then at this price point, it is certainly worth considering as an alternative.
Avantages
- A good-looking build and is a versatile mic with a nice mid-range.
- Hands-on controls make it easy to operate.
- Very affordable.
Inconvénients
- It does lack some warmth in the sound.
3 Peluso P-87 Large Diaphragm Condenser Mic – Best Looking U87 Alternative
Just like the Neumann TLM103 I looked at; the P87 is less than half the price of the Neumann. However, this mic is actually more similar to the U87 in many ways.
La construction
Peluso has made this mic closely resemble the U87 without making it look like a knock-off copy. It has a similar tough exterior, so it even feels like it when you pick it up. But does it sound like a U87?
The Frequency response is the fairly standard 20Hz to 20000Hz. Up to 1.5kHz, it is rather flat but begins to lift after that point. It has a balanced sound, though, so you don’t get any harshness at the top end.
Three Patterns
It has three polar patterns, Cardioid, Figure of 8, and Omnidirectional. These are controlled by a three-position switch on the front.
There is a low-frequency roll-off switch on the back of the mic. This is a useful addition as it counteracts the proximity effect that can happen with vocals recorded too close to the mic.
There is also a -10dB pad to add some lower gain. This is also useful when working with drums, guitar cabinets, or brass instruments. Add to this the high SPL, and you have a very versatile mic that can cope with most things.
A Decent Effort
I don’t think for a moment Peluso thought they could equal the U87 in quality and performance. But they have done a good job in creating a very good mic indeed. And with many of the same attributes, if not the overall sound.
The price point isn’t cheap, but of course, it is nowhere near the U87, making it a good alternative option.
Avantages
- Very good SPL and low self-noise.
- Well made with some quality sound production features.
Inconvénients
- Doesn’t cut through the mix as well as some microphones.
4 AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone – Most Versatile U87 Alternative
Let’s close this look at the best alternatives to the Neumann U87 with another masterpiece. AKG made some great mics over the years, and the C414 was one of them. And it’s another mic that you will find in all the high-end studios around the world.
Made An Impact
As soon as the C414 was released in 1971, it made an impact. Now it has carved out for itself a special place in microphones.
It is known, like the U87, for the quality of its vocal recording . But it also works just as well with other instruments, especially ‘live’ guitars, especially acoustics, and is also great as an overhead mic.
Some ‘Good’ Features
Five separate polar patterns make up the significant design of the mic. Cardioid, SuperCardioid, Hyper-cardioid, Omnidirectional, and Figure of 8. The features go further with low-frequency roll-off, with access to 40Hz, 80Hz, or 160Hz roll-off at the flick of a switch.
Even further, in case you are working with a loud source. You can choose to use either a 0db, 6db, 12db, or an 18db pad.
Versatility
If one of the reasons you want the U87 is versatility, then say hello to the C414. A great, versatile mic at a price point that says it’s worth every penny. A bit like a Bentley, really.
Avantages
- Good build that produces a warm vocal sound.
- Packed with AKG nohow and features.
Inconvénients
- Aucun.
Looking for more superb microphone options?
Then check out my comprehensive reviews of the Best Vocal Mics, the Best Condenser Microphones, the Best Microphones Recording for Electric Guitar, the Best Microphones for Recording Rap Vocals, the Best Live Vocal Mic, the Best XLR Microphones, the Best Dynamic Microphones as well as the Best USB Microphones you can buy in 2022.
You may also be interested in the Best Microphone Stands or the Best XLR Cables for Microphones currently on the market.
So, what is the Best U87 Alternative?
Some Great Mics, I’ve only looked at a few, but all of them have some impressive features. Although trying to truly compare anything to the mighty U87 is rather futile. But if the price of one is too much, as it will be for many, then you need an alternative, and that’s what I’ve tried to give you in a range of different price points.
In terms of my personal favorite, the Peluso is very impressive, but if I had to choose, I would go with the…
AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII Vocal Condenser Microphone
An outstanding mic in every respect and highly recommended if a U87 is outside your budget .
Happy recording.