New Telefunken U47 vs. Clone (and a surprise) Shoot Out

Michael_Joly · Post by **Michael_Joly** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:57 pm

The nice people at Barron Studios in Houston recently assembled three Telefunken U47 mics, a Lawson L47 and a Wunder Audio CM7 for a little "47" dust up. They threw in an AKG C414B / XLS as a reference.

And then, much to my surprise, they included an OktavaMod MK-219 PE "just for fun".

Well I had fun listening. I think you will too - there's a fine signal chain, .wav files, blind test, text file to reveal the contenders and a listener favorite poll to boot:
http://www.recordwithbarron.com/new-47-mic-shootout/

A-Barr · Post by **A-Barr** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:20 am

"Firefox can't find the server at www.recordwithbarron.com."

...Anybody else?

kojdogg · Post by **kojdogg** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:40 am

works for me on internet explorer (pc).
i love my mk-219 pe

________
EXPERT INSURANCE

jackson park · Post by **jackson park** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:55 am

It's interesting how the telefunken 47's with different tubes got such different results. I don't want to say which numbers they are but you can tell from the poll too. What to make of this? The wunder mic was so clear and upfront.

creature.of.habit · Post by **creature.of.habit** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:05 am

maybe it's the whole work day talking, but the "just for fun" bit doesn't sit too well with me.

personally, i think mj deserves a lot more credit than that..

Michael_Joly · Post by **Michael_Joly** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:54 am

jackson park wrote:It's interesting how the telefunken 47's with different tubes got such different results. I don't want to say which numbers they are but you can tell from the poll too. What to make of this? The wunder mic was so clear and upfront.

Yeah, maybe capsule differences too?

I agree with your take on the Wunder CM7, that is a special mic. If I had bad case of Neumann-itis and a spare $5500 that would be a good cure.

Barron43 · Post by **Barron43** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:06 pm

Joly deserves a bunch more credit than "just for fun" - the 219 PE is incredible. BUT this was a U47 shootout - and we added it in just to see what the little guy could do..u know, for fun. And he stood his own against mics 30x more expensive. No disrespect intended. We use that mic all the time (before sending it to Joly, it was a paperweight). My only regret is that I spelled Michael's last name wrong on the website - it's fixed now, my apologies!

- Todd

p.s. are folks still having problems on the website w/Firefox???

red cross · Post by **red cross** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:13 am

The BLUE rebuilt U47 is just sounds so feckin......

...rock 'n' roll.

snatchman · Post by **snatchman** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:24 am

Hello. SOT...anyone ever compare Michael's 319 mod to a Studio Projects T-3? I know they are differant animals but...

...I'm sending my 319 to Michael and wondering what difference to expect! Thanks....

??????? · Post by **???????** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:52 am

WOW.

From those samples I'm most impressed with the Wunder and the Oktavamod.

The Wunder overall and the Oktavamod because it hangs in good company for ridiculous price/performance ratio. I might have to save up for a couple of those.

honkyjonk · Post by **honkyjonk** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:31 pm

I like that Blue rebuilt '47. Damn.

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:45 pm

We have 3 U47's at Studio G. 2 of them are BLUE rebuilt 47's, and one is an original neumann large badge.

I like all of them, but I use my 'funken refurb by blue the most, by far. It just works so well, all the time, that I stopped looking. If that doesnt do it, it isnt a job for a U47...

Madguitrst · Post by **Madguitrst** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:34 am

I agree with many of the opinions here:

Noticeable (but not huge) differences in the Telefunkens.
The TF U47 with the EF tube sounds a bit dull....more like an MK319 before the mod.

I like the BLUE restored U47 the best and here's why - it is clear without being too forward and it doesn't have much grit.

Actually, I thought the BLUE U47 might be the MK219 because my MK319 with PE mod sounds most like that of all of the samples - at least imagining them all on my singing voice, which is thicker and has a bit more gravel than the singer in the samples (not my speaking voice though

).

The Wunder mic has a sheeny mid presence to it and it really stands out. Interestingly, on another board with a different singer and gear, the Wunder sounded more round and thick compared to another U47 clone (the Peluso 22 47)

Anyway, all of the mics were a bit different, some more so than others. I could use any of them and make them work. Personally, for my home studio I wouldn't spend a fortune on any mic, but if I had a commercial facility I'd probably spring for the Wunder (and still grab a couple of modded of MK319s or 219s)

Message Board

New Telefunken U47 vs. Clone (and a surprise) Shoot Out

New Telefunken U47 vs. Clone (and a surprise) Shoot Out

Who is online