Neumann U67 Reissue vs Josephson C715 Dual Capture

New room is 11 x 12 with 8' ceiling, currently untreated save (9) 30 x 48 Taytrix panels in a corner. Full soffit, ceiling and walls GIK treatment order placed.

Raw @ -6 dB and Mixed examples.

67 > Coil 70 > Sta > 176 > 70 > Aurora(n)
715 > Coil 286 > Sta > 176 > 286 > Aurora(n)

Mix vocals have FabFilter DS, 715 has FabFilter Q3 High Boost

Bricasti M7 parallel - Vienna Hall

https://soundcloud.com/user-62615386.../s-2UCcpJheLmf

I prefer the Josephson C715 by far. But something on your U67 Reissue sounds a bit wired...when was it build? It sounds a bit harsh and thin compared to the Josephson....hmm. Did you change the stock Tube?

How would you describe the difference between the Coil 286 and Coil 70? Which one pairs better with which mic you think?

The 67 Reissue was just fully checked out by Sennheiser/Neumann, perfect per their evaluation. I bought two tubes from Bowie, a high-end Tele and an Ampex but, neither worked well in this 67, the Neumann supplied tube is perfect for this mic.

They are definitely very different mics. Austin has a great voice, although very ess-y, which is why I dual mic'd him to be sure I got what I wanted.

286 is hi-fi, 70 is a powerhouse of round tone. Fantastic preamps.

Example of this 67 > 70, same chain on recent female vocalists:

https://vimeo.com/428958567

Obviously I am asked that question whenever I mention sending the 67 to Neumann; I should have included a note above when I made the mention. Dialog with Sennheiser/Neumann below. My original plan was to buy mint used, send to Klaus to be checked out, upgraded if required. Klaus directed me to Neumann first. BTW, my practice when buying anything used is to send it to the maker to be sure it is perfect. I did the same with the 715; David and team straightened the capsule which had shifted off axis a bit when shipped from Belgium (it is not easy to find a mint used 715!):

Hi Neumann Support,

I have a U67 Reissue, 71571, which I purchased used. My 67 Reissue has an issue and I have been corresponding with your Support team, completed the online Service Form:
Steven Morgan SRN: 153227
Sennheiser Electronic Corporation
Att: Service - 153227

When first powered on the mic signal is very low (quiet) when the capsule is addressed with a vocal, however, while touching the head basket, the mic signal is very strong (loud).

Sometimes, after 30 minutes or so, there will be very loud popping, often in series. then, the signal reaches a proper level and remains stable until powered off.
Other times the solution is to toggle the 10dB pre-attenuation pad on, then, toggle it off again.
Please advise regarding next step.
Thank you,

Neumann U67 RI
“The sockets that the capsule mount fits into were loose causing the intermittent start up. I realigned the sockets correcting the problem. Qc and tested.”

Shows how good a Josephson cap is and how Neumann is slipping

What i've noticed in using the reissue 67 is that its "airier" then the originals. Much more clear but less body, not as mellow or low mid sounding.

Which so far woks great on female voices, but on guys seems to be a hit or miss.

FWIW first U67 RI I tested/sang into, when they first came out was "anemic", compared to what I'd expect a 67 to sound like.
The next two I tried, sounded fantastic. Plenty of body/Low Mids/Mellow etc. IMHO there is some real world factory variance.
Chris

Just a little color commentary.

While I don't disagree that there can be some variance, I have absolute confidence that Neumann builds within spec. I also have to give a shout out to Neumann and Josephson for working on mint used, second-hand mics and happily doing it within their generous warranty period.

This is where things get interesting: "compared to what I'd expect a 67 to sound like." I have no doubt I could find a vintage 67 I like more than my current 67 Reissue but, it would be a one-off anomaly, differing from most other vintage 67s due to age, use, treatment and maintenance/repairs. I bought the reissue knowing this and, except for the internal electrical connection issue, I am and will remain in love with my mic as long as I don't run into too many additional sibilant vocalists, the current count is 3.

While I may still send my 67 to Klaus, having had it out to Neumann and hearing the 67 on a wide variety of voices, I can't say that I feel a need. The 67 Reissue is a phenomenal mic as expected, just not perfect on all voices or sources and, to my ear, if a singer is sibilant, it will be exaggerated by the 67 Reissue which was quite a surprise given the legend.

To be fair, Austin is ess-y even on the 715 which was designed specifically to minimize it. I have him working on that.

When a singer is not ess-y, for example Charlotte and Johanna, nothing I have heard is better than the 67 Reissue. It has excellent highs, the expected stellar mids and good lows. Lately, folks at the recording sessions, listening on the excellent monitoring chain, literally weep when Johanna and Charlotte sing on this mic. Sure, that is mostly because they are sweet teen girls pouring out their hearts in genuine praise but, the 67 lets that come through in a way I haven't heard any other mic allow and they are leaning into the incredible result.

I did take some time to pull out older recordings of Olivia on the Flea 49 and, to my surprise, she was ess-y on the 49 too, I just wasn't as sensitive to that at the time. Now, neither I nor the singers, can "un-hear" the S-es.

FWIW, I had Johanna do separate takes on the 67 and 715 and did not like her raw vocal on the 715. If I boost the highs, it could likely be great but the 67 doesn't need the boost. For Charlotte's sister Olivia, as mentioned, the 67 doesn't work, the 715 sounds like it was made for her.

This is an isolated vocal clip of Charlotte and Johanna, each on two parts, singing the final bridge and chorus of a song on the 67 Reissue. Nothing done to the vocals except compression and M7 reverb. You can feel the vibrations of the 67 mids, which I love. Again, two self-taught teens from a tiny pool of vocalists at a small Church in Alpharetta, GA. Oh yeah, as usual, a single take on each of the lead and harmony vocals they tracked. They started recording with me at 10 and 11 years old, experienced semi-pros now at 16 and 17. The new teams are starting at 9 years old. I don't know that we'll see a young musician equal to Charlotte for a long time but the new crew may be even better on vocals.

https://soundcloud.com/user-62615386...isolation-clip

Steven! Are you sure that your u67 is working properly? I just listened your samples and can't understand where is low end in u67 Reissue???
It sounds like a HPF is engaged. Did you send these samples ( https://soundcloud.com/user-62615386.../s-2UCcpJheLmf ) to Neumann Support or Klaus?????

Neumann Service Dept. had the mic in their shop, just returned to me June 2020.

HP was not toggled.

Yes, samples were provided to Klaus, he did not comment on the sound, just advised that for the electrical issue noted, it should go to Neumann.

The mic is working as designed and tested by Neumann June 2020.

Thanks for sharing these, all sounding great. Josephson C715 examples with vocals are hard to find.

Thanks for sharing i am thinking of getting a 715.

All links severed, departing GS