Neumann U47 Alternatives: That Classic Tube Sound
Get that classic tube condenser sound in your studio.
5,0 / 5,0 | 
These Neumann U47 Alternatives will get you in the ballpark of one of the most sought-after mics of all time for that pristine tube sound.
In this Article:
In a post-war musical landscape dominated by American ribbon mics like the RCA 44, the introduction of the U47 ushered in a new era. Multitrack recording technology was advancing steadily, and the larger-than-life clarity of the German-built U47 was the perfect tool to harness this new creative power.
Neumann U47 Alternatives
The original U47 design used the M 7 capsule, with its PVC diaphragm and the Telefunken VF 14 M low-noise vacuum tube, as well as several transformers in the circuitry. However, due to the low longevity of the M 7’s PVC membrane, the capsule was replaced by the more durable K 47 in the late 1950s, which is why the early versions of this mic fetch such a high price on the collectors’ market.
This legendary microphone puts the Georg Neumann company into the Mount Rushmore of recording, with its incredibly natural dynamics and ambient warmth. Today, we still enjoy its sound when we listen to our favourite records by artists such as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Soundgarden, Linkin Park, Taylor Swift, and David Bowie.
At well over $10,000, the modern Telefunken Elektroakustik remake of the U47 is out of reach of the average home studio user. However, are there other affordable ways to get that coveted tube vocal sound? Let’s find out:
Neumann U47 Alternatives: RODE K2
With the RODE K2, you get a professional-quality multipattern tube condenser at a mere fraction of the price of a vintage U47. Capturing a great performance with a tube mic is not the result of the mic alone. Instead, it depends on a combination of factors such as the room and the recording input chain (preamp, EQ, compressor).
This means that investing in a more affordable microphone will leave you with a bigger budget to allocate to the acoustics of your recording space and your front end. The K2 shines on a wide range of voices and vocal styles, so if you’re recording modern Pop and Hip-hop vocals, this is still a worthwhile option, especially if you’re still quite new to music production.
The K2 uses a twin-triode 6922 tube in its Class-A circuitry, and the external power supply unit provides a variable polar pattern control for shifting between cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 pickup patterns. Overall, the K2 provides a great entry point into tube mics, and if you don’t require multiple pickup patterns, be sure to check out the RODE NTK. Get it at Thomann.*
Neumann U47 Alternatives: Warm Audio WA-47
Warm Audio has a knack for bringing back classic recording gear and producing it affordably with high-quality parts that last. The WA-47 is an authentic modern recreation that features a K47-style capsule, a 5751 tube, and AMI transformers. This gives the WA-47 a sonic profile with detail in the lows and midrange, and the characteristically smooth highs you’d expect from a quality tube mic.
The external power supply connects to the mic with a 7-pin Gotham Audio cable, and it gives you access to the polar pattern control. Besides cardioid, figure-8, and omnidirectional, there are 3 intermediate settings between the three patterns. This allows you to tweak the pattern for a specific recording application, or to better suit your live room or vocal booth.
While you can’t expect the same sonic results as a vintage U47 from a mic that costs just under $1000, the WA-47 is still a very competitive option when compared with other tube condensers in its price range. What’s more, it certainly has all the hallmarks of what it’s like to record with a vintage mic. Get it at Thomann.*
Neumann U47 Alternatives: Golden Age Audio Premier GA-47 MKII
The GA-47 is a meticulously hand-built recreation of the classic U47 tube mic that offers a good balance of vintage character and modern utility. Now in its second generation, the GA-47 has been refined to offer the best possible recording experience for the price. With its brass body and iron grille, the GA-47 is built like a tank to be used as a daily workhorse in your studio.
Rather than going too far in the vintage direction, Golden Age Audio created a mic capsule for the GA-47 that has characteristics of the K47 and the K67, with a high sensitivity rating and wide frequency response. This means that the GA-47 will be able to churn out high-quality pop vocal recordings, or you can get great results on virtually any instrument you can think of.
Like the original U47, the GA-47 has switchable cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns, and you can control these from the external power supply. Meanwhile, the circuitry consists of a NOS Telefunken EF-800 series tube, specially designed transformers, and Allen Bradley carbon resistors. Get it at Thomann.*
Neumann U47 Alternatives: HORCH RM2J MKII
Rather than being a vintage recreation exclusively, the HORCH RM2J MKII is a top-of-the-line German tube microphone that is equipped with modern features. On the front of the mic, you’ll find a two-mode selector switch that lets you choose between linear mode for general recording applications and a vocal mode that offers a special cardioid pattern for that upfront vocal sound.
The RM2J MKII also has the HORCH Impedance Converter (HIC), which improves the overall sensitivity and transparency without compromising the tube sound that gives HORCH mics their stellar reputation. However, the HIC does have an override function, so purists can access the pure tube mode.
Inside, the RM2J MKII uses a 5654W/6AK5W tube and a larger nickel-iron transformer that increases the overload stability. Overall, the RM2J MKII is an incredible-sounding mic, and although it has characteristics that are similar to the U47, it certainly has developed its own identity through the ingenuity of its design. Get it at Thomann.*
Neumann U47 Alternatives: Microtech Gefell UM 92.1 S
Microtech Gefell was founded by Georg Neumann in 1928 and is one of the few companies that continues to exemplify the legacy of uncompromising German microphone design. The multipattern UM 92.1 S and its cardioid counterpart, the M 92.1 S, are equipped with the same legendary M 7 capsule as the classic U47.
With its dual gold-plated diaphragm, the UM 92.1 S offers high sensitivity and an extremely low noise floor for professional recording. The sound character is as full and detailed as you’d expect from a mic of this quality, ideal for a wide range of vocal styles, especially in situations where you want the subtle dynamics to shine.
The cardioid response of the UM 92.1 S is remarkably smooth and natural, especially in the high-frequency range. With the natural presence rise and warm detail in close proximity, the UM 92.1 S gives great vocalists a chance to really apply their techniques and be rewarded at every turn.
More about Neumann U47 Alternatives:
*Note: This article contains affiliate links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
This might also interest you
