It's not so odd, really.

In the '70s everything was thickened by multiple stages of tape, and a lot of the gear also had transformers that added weight. Purely chip-based preamps and line amps were not commonplace (other than some low end 741-based stuff, maybe). High end was invariably partially masked by hiss. Multiple passes over poorly degaussed heads, head wear and even tape wear all took their toll on the harmonics and upper registers, and everyone wanted mics that were somewhat sparing on 'mud' (thickness and girth) while having enough presence and high end to cut through despite all that.

Now, pretty much the reverse is true, the recording processes add very little in the way of thickening, and high end is preserved in all its ice-pick-in-ear glory, if anything made more strident by op-amp designs, cross-over distortion and quantization artefacts that exacerbate any tendency toward high end harshness. A mic that offers a clean, balanced and musical upper register along with some thickening and weight in the mids and lower mids now sounds like a million bucks. ; )

^^^

Brilliant summary.

One thing to add: Neumann Fet47s - original and reissue - will always sound cotton-mouthy, which mitigates the high frequency culprits of modern recording gear DarkSky Media mentioned.

The reason: a K47 capsule mated to a discrete op-amp: a full-bodied capsule with little high frequency extension met by a sluggish processor.

Great description Klaus.. I had 5 of these back in the day and it's one of the most utilitarian condensers out there.. The 57 of condensers so to speak imho.. One that never ever sucked but was rarely amazing yet one that you'd happily track with all day long if required knowing a bit of post trade magic could bring it back into the realm of magical and awesome.

The Thiersch is an amazing capsule, proven, lots of big name companies employ them in their mics. 2 weeks is a great time for a hand built capsule of that quality. Yes the st77 is the base for the mic. Brian Fox at Fox Audio Research did the mod. The st77 is a class a schoeps fet circuit. Yes the capsule was changed and you need a pedestal / stand. I can reach out to Brian and ask exactly, however He actually told me with just the capsule change the mic was very very good on its own!

That track you sent is really good, U47 Right ? the mid tones are lovely

@ Rixsta
You're right. We did it live 10 years ago at the clip director's studio.
He made some shoot after with a U87 only for the picture.
Long time ago....
Two options:
1- I used a Motu 896HD with DP. U47fet, 414uls and DI -> Direct mix on two tracks
2- I used a Digi 002 same mics -> Direct mix on two tracks

She was a great singer, i recorded few CD with her long time ago but nothing happend.

I get no news from her, but my U47fet and my 414uls are still in my mic locker.
They stay my favorites mics with my VM1 and a sm57

Thats great, Yeah she had some good energy and a well rounded voice, I like the U47 on the vocals I hear, its bright but not too bright its forward but not in your face, and it sounds good with intimate kind of singing. Im planning on building a U47 at the moment with Cinemag Transfermer and perhaps Eric Hiezerman or Thiersh capsule.
Not sure which yet but want to get a good album recorded myself

That was a nice recording you did, some singers need a different microphone that suits.

Looks like Thiersch Blue line in my opinion is stunning well balanced capsule for the U47 Valve and I expect the Fet version too.