I've had my u87ai now for about 8 months and it's the best microphone I have owned and used. However not the most colourful/thick.

The mic goes directly into the Lyra1 which is pristine sound recording I have experienced.

I'm wanting a thick warm neve preamp and done my research but had a mile's cheaper spanner thrown into the works and hoping to bounce off gearspace insight.

Purely recording rap vocal.

Narrowed preamps down to Bae 1073dmp, Daking Mic Pre one, or maybe GR 1nv, however after racking my brains between those 3 and maybe leaning on the daking as cheaper option... I just read up on this Soyuz Launcher that adds analogue saturation. Maybe this is all the u87 needs to add some richness to the clean pristine lyra1 preamp. Seems simple, light, small, easily travel with, over the 1073dmp, daking etc.

Is not much on the Soyuz Launcher from users other than with dynamic or ribbon mics.

I'm wanting to add thickness and warmth, darker to the recording.

Soyuz super cheap and small but from quality company. Daking is fairly prices though still step up from Soyuz Launcher, and then the big juicy 1073dmp cost, though chunkier and 3+kg.

Some insight would be welcome

Start with the Voice first.
Got clip examples of the voice in question?
I have an original Launcher BTW.
Chris

You know I just realised the launcher itself is just gain boost? Not realising it doesn't have the saturation switch, the deluxe model does. but only the one option. And price is exact same as daking mic pre one, which has tonal varietyy. so Maybe it's the daking...

I've owned portico 5017 RNP before that went into the Audient id22 and added some nice thickness and tone. hated the id22 preamps. love the lyra preamps though feel i miss the thickness of the portico, however willing to try quality like bae or daking or GR.

I feel ideal would be the 1073DMP but is double cost of daking

Keep in mind is just demo but is u87ai into the lyra1, no external preamps. Though i remember the portico 5017 added nice neve thickness, though read daking and bae is better more true nevish origin.

Not entirely your pick; I’ve got a stam audio sa-87i. It’s closer to a vintage u87 than the 87ai. I use it together with a Bae 1973mpf (pre+low cut)

I enjoy the combination. There are plenty of combinations. Can saturate, build quality is awesome. Not cheap. Still saving up for an extra one, as I initially not intended to get 2 u87 clones.

I’ve read that a UA610 can also do well on this one. It does depend on your source too, as above mentioned. Sp my comment is not really worth much.

Yes, I've looked into ua610 solo for many years, never used one. Has always been on my list, though very heavy bulky. Currently overseas and need to think practicality of packing in luggage too.

Always been tempted by solo610 but eyes set on the above this minute

Nice! I still wish they would make a hardware version of their 610 ‘A’ version.

I can imagine you wouldn’t want a BAE too then,… it’s heavy 😅.

Did you consider a UA Apollo? get’s you close, and when it needs to be portable you’ll get enough flavours to try (second hand perhaps). Got me to try different ones, and ended up with the BAE.

u87ai into neve it's a no brainer. any neve preamp will do. skimping on the pre for your $3,000 mic maybe not goated

Maybe they will make a hardware version one day or is their new version the plugin? I have some UA plugin.
The 1073dmp wekgh 3.4kg. Which isn't too bad I thought solo610 is 5kg?

After looking into the daking again is a clean sound preamp so maybe not what I am after.

Are you referring to trying ua Apollo for the plugin variety? I know of the interface I've never owned one. I got the lyra1 for a excellent price in 2019 approx 650us$ so I'm content with it.

After listening to some tracks recorded with having the portico 5017 i can definitely hear and love the thicker gurth in the vocal. Brauner phantom was the mic which I didn't like but the preamp made a nice difference.

The u87ai is magic though imo for my liking needs a bit more girth. Is why adding a neve inspired preamp would be a good addition to my chain.

Correct. Do you have any other neve preamp suggestions that won't weaken the sound from the lyra? Is the daking a neve preamp? Research last night suggested to me maybe backwards and weaker than the lyra preamp. Open to suggestion that are not higher in price than daking mic pre one 1073dmp and gr 1nv.

daking is not a neve i would get something with neve in the name i.e. ams or rupert neve (i'm more partial to rupert but if you want more hair then the classic neve designs are probably more up your alley)

i owned an ams neve 1073spx which i found pretty nice, although i ultimately ended up switching to a rupert neve designs shelford channel. if you can cough up a little more dough, the rnd newton channel is an excellent match for the u87ai. you can get one on reverb for like $1500. to me having the eq circuit after the preamp make the neve sound a lot better, i usually don't apply any eq but still leave the circuit engaged

The Daking stuff is closer to a Trident sound than a Neve sound. Cleaner and brighter with the Jensen transformers.

FWIW there are a number of higher end NEVE clones which sound very good. On the portable and cost effective side of things, you might consider something like an SCA N72 loaded into their PC01 Single Module Case.

Best!

Dave

I have owned 2x Rupert Neve portico 5017 in past and liked it. Wouldn't the 5017 be it as has compressor and is portable small profile.

oh yes i forgot about that one. portico is it's own sound if you want that extra clean character then by all means. the newton is quite similar but a little more harmonic imo

Heritage audio tt73? Though for the price its only a hundred or too off a new 1073dmp.
I can get a portico 5017 used for around 500£ though I don't think it will give me what 1073 will.

What’s funny is my Hardware emulation of a 610 Pre is…

That “Vintage Button” on my UA Volt 1!
(And it’s on me today)

After work…
Will listen to your clips.
Might even Croon a Tune, with the Vintage Button on/then off.

I do know that Bob Ohlsson digs Dakings on Neumann’s. Good enough for me!
Also…

The Useful Arts Hornet is a very nice Pre.
And only around $300.

Apex 107’s used to be under $100 used.
But more people know about that $leeper now.
Including Craig Anderton. (Yes I had one )
Chris

Excellent Voice!
Know what “Breath Stops” are?
It’ll make your voice sound even fuller.

I can send a PM if you like.
And it’s natural and free!

My spidey-sense is you’d sound great on a SM7 (or M88) too. As an alternative sometimes.

And try your U87 in Wide Cardiod (for more Chest Voice).
And in Figure 8 for fuller Low Notes.
Chris

heritage is bs

Breath stops i can imagine is stopping when in need of a breath? Yes open to input insight pm if your can enlighten.

Those sm7b is cheap mic though thick. I'm sure it could sound good but surely may only suit some situations? I've never changed the u87 to anything but front. Wide cardioid you reckon? Won't it pick up more of the room? Unless in entirely treated room. I'm going to record in studio on the next run of songs. But before that thinking of these preamp the gr 1nv reads to be premo for these 87ai mic. None for sale anywhere used. Best is new with 20% off approx 999£

“Breath Stop” is a famous phrase stemming from the great Operatic Soprano and Master Instructor…
Lilli Lehmann. •

It is a Basis of Traditional Bel Canto training for Singing and Theatrical Speech.
Because it was Pre-Amplification…

It’s largely designed to help the Voice project better (not necessarily Volume like Yell Canto LOL!)

Will PM info regarding a Modern Maestro’s teachings.
AKA Michael Trimble.

I may be training with him after the next NAMM (if he’s available)
Real deal. Could sing 4+ hours with 130 Piece Wagnerian Orchestra.
Plus NO Microphone allowed!
Chris
P.S. The SM7 or M88 has more “punch” than a U87. Could be a handy option for a more Percussive vocal.
For a mellower voice like that.

OK...
So I recorded a brief/quick "one take". *
The first clip's vocal is repeated once.

Will post this up by itself first.
Then add some fave/simple things to fill out my voice more.

EDIT: 2nd Clip/"Processed" version of the first clip here means...
1) MJUCjr. Compression
2) Stock Effects in MultitrackStudio ("Tube Warmth"/2% Plate Reverb/Lite DeEssing)
Chris


It's just SM58>UA Volt 1 (Vintage Button "on")
On the first clip. NO Processing.
Chris
*I am recovering from severe allergies, for last week.
Residual ash from Orange County "Airport Fire.
Plus the Malibu Fire recently.
So my Tone is less clear than otherwise.

Another brief Acapella "one take".
This time on $100 or less AKG P120.

Through my UA Volt 1 with "Vintage Button" engaged.
Most likely comparable to UA 610 Pre Plug.

First phrase RAW/then just MJUCjr. Comp/then just a bit of UA Pure Plate (might be still free BTW right now).
Along with the MJUCjr. mentioned above.

IMHO Voice sounds "thicker" each time, due to Processing.
Chris

i had your same setup. get yourself a neve dpa and you'll be all set. i prefer the AMS sound with the 87ai.

You're essentially raw dogging the U87ai. No bueno.

Here's a short comparison.

First section is me over u87ai straight into the Lyra

second section is me over u87ai into the AMS 1084 classic, into the cl1b, into the lyra

(obviously different takes and environments)

same peak level

so yeah......you need to pimp your mic.

damn i miss my cl1b. :( :( :(

nice thick recording I agree. And a nice voice too Chris! Quite a nice sound from your chain. I have a few UA plugins, not the 610 but the manley voxbox which i like and the la2a compressors which also are nice.
I use Sonar.

I am thinking the GR 1nv once purchased would be it for life. Cannot see any used for sale anywhere unless and GearSlut wants to sell one? lol

I have tried many mics over the years, MXL, sE, Rode, Brauner, Miktek, Neumann.

Very nice recording man. The 2nd take surely has a plugin on it? or Is that raw through the ams? I would love one of those preamps, just a bit out of the budget right now. For price 999GBP could have the 1073dmp or GR 1nv, and that is the tough part. Cannot find any used anywhere. And may be waiting some time for one to pop up.

Your RAW u87ai into lyra, sounds exactly like mine. super nice but too thin and clean, Thickness on the 2nd take it potently evident. And its what I am missing in my chain no doubt. I am sure you are missing the cl1b!

Thanks! Yeah there's just auto tune printed onto the file.

Anyways, I found a "raw" take from a singing warmup I did in-session a couple months ago. And the mic pre was actually the BAE 1073MP, which should be in your price range. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

So the chain was 87AI>1073MP>CL1B

You may dig the BAE over the AMS sound, it's personal choice. BAE a bit darker, more colored. But the BAE1073MP in studio was the stripped down version, no EQ (1272) so not a fully fair comparison. The sound is a bit more "compact" but still very rich and every bit usable and professional sounding. But of course you'd need the CL1B to get the full sound. You can obv add it on later or use a different compressor of your choice.

Raw vs HW saturation/comp is apples v oranges. At least compare it against an equivalent ITB chain.

OP - since you posted in 'low end' - why not use plugins? DM me a RAW vocal file and I'll process it ITB as an example.

I spent far too long comparing HW to SW, and tbh, unless the HW is a workflow requirement/preference, no one would be able to tell them apart in the mix

Edit: I'd also posit that since you blast (distort) the hell out of your lows/drums, you'd not want much done to the vocal anyway, else it will start to merge with all that distortion and get lost. In the examples you posted the contrast keeps them in their own pockets.

Soyuz Launcher requires phantom power but does not pass it forward so it will not work with U87ai. (In case nobody has mentioned that.)

I did make the Poorman’s version of the Soyuz Deluxe by…
Getting a separate Phantom Power supply.

Keep in mind the OG Launcher adds some Assertiveness to your tone.

So unless it’s a Heavy Mix and/or a “Rawk” Vocal I don’t use it much.

Another exception is a very Mellow toned mic.
Which the 87ai is not.
Chris