Three vf14s walk into a bar.

Bartender says to one of them, "hey you're new around here, do you know Newwwwmann?"

If they're trying to tease people with this marketing strategy, why would they officially confirm to people from the public, people that they couldn't trust to keep it quiet, that they are reissuing it?

I am sorry. As the judge in this courtroom (because I am impartial because I wouldn't want one anyway) I declare that this case is still open.



Bailiff? Where did you go with my lunch?

I'm not buying it, that studio looks exactly like the one Neumann uses routinely in their Youtube content in which they showcase newer models, and all of the mics in the photos have the new 7 pin tuchel connector, meaning at least the M49s and U67s pictured are the re-issues.

I also think that if they're not yet ready to announce a U47 reissue and it's just a prototype then they're obviously not going to reveal it to anyone who asks.

You make sense. And maybe they're testing reactions to the possibility?

A Teenage YouTube “Reaction” video is in order!
Maybe some Liberace or Tiny Tim reinactments.

Better yet.
Maybe lesser known artists. Like Elvis or Sinatra.

Or post at Tick Talk.
(Sponsored by Frontline )
Chris

So I was actually thinking about this ”realism” thing before I read your post

I listened back to a take I made with the M49V some weeks ago.

And my takeaway was that sounded too real. It sounded like a person.

I could here the voice of the person a lot.

But that’s not what I want to hear. I want to primarily hear music, not primarily a human being that happens to be singing.

It was too detailed, too realistic, too much of every little movement of the voice. Including non-musical timbre if that makes sense. Not just breaths and lip smack or that, but even within a wovel as it is being sung…

Does that make sense?

I’ve been thinking lately that I might be better off with a 1-2-K Sontronics Ribbon mic than my 7-8K M49V.

I want a musical vintage sound. Perhaps the M49V was the wrong choice. I just went for the buy once cry once philosophy, and I didn’t want the hassle of buying an old mic, so Neumann’s current flagship reissue with the V indicating Vintage seemed like the best choice.

But again, it’s so much detail. I don’t know if it requires a certain way of singing to sound more like melody and less like a person talking (sort of).

Or if the solution is some kind of destructive processing that removes detail and presence? Attenuates the realism?

I was also thinking about a Wunder or a Flea but maybe they’re all like that?

The Wunder CM7 doesn't have the effect you're talking about - to my ears it sounds very musical.

To be fair, I'm not a fan of Sennheiser Neumann RI badged mics I tried - I've not tried M49V.

The original Neumann mics sounded wonderful to my ears, and Wunder have captured some of that magic (which is why I bought a CM7)

But this is so subjective and highly personal opinion and I'm certain not everyone would agree with me.

I love AEA ribbon mics too.

While i'm fond of both of my M49V's, different strokes for different folks.

There's decades of music history where most vocals were recorded with RCA ribbons. Great sounding vocals too.

Early Frank Sinatra with the RCA 44, Al Green's classic hit's with the RCA 77.

And pound for pound your money travels a lot farther with ribbon mics than condensers.
A cream of the crop quality ribbon starts at $1000 vs 3000 minimum for a condenser.

AEA makes fantastic ribbons, with the AEA R44 and AEA R88 getting the most love out of their catalog. Their Nuvo N8 however is one of my favorite microphones made in the past 20 years. Might be worth giving a shot

Frank’s first BIG comeback hit was on the M7 capsuled Neumann though.

“Got The World On A String”.
Arranged by Riddle.

FWIW I think of the 44/77’s as more Folksy/Balladsy toned.
(Sorta like a 49 )

More Punch on the 47/48.

Still gotta love the 44.
He still used it sometimes at Capitol/Radio Recorders.
(Same for Nat)

“Number 9”/Royal Studios, was Al’s 44 mic at Royal.
Bones Howe used that model often.
Mamas/Pappas and 5th Dimension hits all cut on a 77.

Beach Boys sometimes too.
Chris
P.S. Sinatra also used the Sony C37 Tube.

I think you're overthinking this, and I don't mean it in a condescending way. Vocal mics are entirely dependent on the singer, the song and the recording of the instruments.

If I were only recording myself, I'd get maybe two options to sing through depending on the song, one condenser and one dynamic/ribbon.

With vocal mics, the most expensive mic is not necessarily the best mic. You need to find out what sound profile fits your voice the best and then shootout a bunch of mics in that family.

Keep in mind that even though tone is important, it's best to find something that sounds agreeable to you and then never think about it again so you can focus on the music

Well, Namm is 9 months away and I have my first note of which booth to hit up at the show.

I still remember getting the fyi regarding the u67 reissue from the Sennheiser/Neumann guys at Namm a year or so before the reissue was released.

Family? Hmm…
Well if it wasn’t for the Sneesby’s (Beesneez)
I’d probably go…

Muensters or Adams.
But not Corleone

Unless I got an offer.
I couldn’t refuse.


Someday I’d love to sing “California Dreaming” or “Aquarius” on a 77. (Nods to Droid)
Met “Bill” of 5th Dimension (in Marina Del Ray at 7) and…

SANG California Dreaming with Cass and Michelle several times at Laurel Canyon mid 60’s parties!!
(First ex-fiancé spit’n image of Michelle later on )
Chris
P.S. FWIW on my (potentially Tonal Sominex) singing/Crooning Voice. Been advised to use “spicier” Iconic mic styles over the very mellow 49.

I woke up today, went to the kitchen for some morning coffee and opened up the window to let some fresh, cool morning air in. Perched up on the fence outside was a little bird. He said to me:

"Hey! That smells wonderful. Did you grind the beans yourself?"

"No", I said. "But it is still quite delicious."

The bird then got a serious look in his eyes and he told me, "Well I'm here to tell you to get your wallet ready. And I want you to let all the doubters know that they...are...wrong!"

I then told him, "Thanks, but I don't even want a U47".

"Uh oh! I got the wrong house. Bye!", he said as he flew off into the distance.