Neumann U67 Reissue Tube Microphone
Having been out of production for decades, the re-issue of the Neumann U67 is a true breakthrough in pro-audio history.
The Neumann U 67 reissue is a universal studio microphone suitable for all applications. Its smooth top-end with a subtle tube shimmer makes the U67 an outstanding vocal microphone. Due to its essentially linear response in three polar patterns – omni, cardioid, and figure-8 – the U 67 is also a very versatile microphone for all kinds of instruments such as strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, drums, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar and upright bass.
Introduced in 1960, the U 67 was the quintessential studio workhorse throughout the formative years of modern music. Today, more than ever, its inimitably smooth sound continues to be in high demand. Now, for the first time in decades, Neumann’s legendary tube microphone is back in production, built to the original specifications.
Others have tried to imitate the U 67, but Neumann have referred back to archived documentation and the re-issue is sonically identical to the U 67 made from 1960–1971. It uses the same capsule and electronic design. Key parts, such as the BV 12 output transformer, are meticulously reproduced according to original documentation. EF86 tubes are carefully selected for optimal characteristics and lowest noise in a dedicated measurement facility. The power supply was redesigned to meet today’s strict safety requirements and to accommodate the slightly higher filament current of newer premium grade tubes. The new power supply NU 67 V is fully compatible with older U 67 microphones.
U67 reissue: Return of a Legend
Introduced as the successor to the eminent Neumann U 47, a lesser microphone would have failed. But the U 67 was quickly adopted as the new studio standard, offering many advantages over its predecessor. With three selectable polar patterns and advanced tube circuitry, including low cut and pad switches, the Neumann U 67 was well-equipped for virtually any recording task. It still is: To this day, many top level engineers would choose the U 67 as their “desert island” microphone for its extraordinary versatility and unmatched sound quality.
Neumann Engineering at its Finest
The U 67 was the first microphone equipped with the famous K 67 capsule, which has since become associated with “the Neumann sound” and continues to be used in its successor, the U 87 A. No less important is the U 67’s masterful tube circuit featuring a clever pre-emphasis/de-emphasis scheme to minimize tube hiss. The U 67 was also the first microphone to address modern recording techniques such as close miking. Its switchable low cut filter compensates for the proximity effect occurring at short recording distances. Using its pre-attenuation, the U 67 can handle high sound pressure levels of up to 124 dB without distortion (and much more if you don’t mind a bit of “tube grit”).
As timeless as its sound and technical design is its outer appearance. The U 67’s cone-shaped body and the tapered headgrille have since become iconic for the Neumann brand; the same elegant design would grace its solid state successor, the U 87, for the next 50+ years.
NEUMANN U67 RE-ISSUE FEATURES:
- Classic tube circuit, transformer balanced
- Reissue of the legendary Neumann U67
- Made to original specifications using archived documentation
- New power supply NU 67 V automatically adapts to the local mains voltage
- Handmade and hand soldered in Germany
- Balanced sound in three polar patterns
- Vintage case, handmade in Germany
Whats in the box
- Neumann U67 re-issue tube condenser microphone
- Z 48 shock mount
- NU 67 V power supply
- UC 5 high quality multipin cable
- Vintage hard case
Specifications
- Acoustical operating principle:Pressure gradient transducer
- Directional pattern:Omnidirectional, cardioid, figure-8
- Frequency range:20 Hz … 20 kHz
- Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm:15/24/16 mV/Pa1)
- Rated impedance:200 ohms
- Rated load impedance:1 kohms
- Equivalent noise level, CCIR2):32/28/31 dB1)
- Equivalent noise level, A-weighted2):21/17/20 dB-A1)
- Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR2) (rel. 94 dB SPL):62/66/63 dB1)
- Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted2) (rel. 94 dB SPL):73/77/74 dB1)
- Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%3):114 dB (cardioid)
- Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% with preattenuation3):124 dB
- Maximum output voltage:-9.8 dBu
- Power Supply:NU 67 V
- Matching connectors:
- – Microphone:spec. 7pin
- – Power Supply:XLR 3 F
- Weight:560 g
- Diameter:56 mm
- Length:200 mm