Gauge ECM87 vs Warm Audio WA87 - BATTLE OF THE 87s!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ส.ค. 2017
- A comparison of two "87 style" Mics.
Gauge ECM-87: gauge-usa.com/Gauge_Microphone...
Warm Audio WA87: geni.us/Pqtfn (Amazon)
Headphones: geni.us/IjyhMN (Amazon)
Interface: geni.us/ljSFyL (Amazon)
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Yes, would like to hear comparisons with the U87. My vote here is for the Gauge.
That intro totally worked on me xD. Made me smile on a bad day. You're the best!
Love your warm personality and your brand of humor and light heartednes and you are having an effect on the public.
I purchased a Zoom H5 and am loving it, I added to that a Rode NT 1 and am considering the Warm Audio WA 87. Thanks for your excellent help and keep going, because I love to watch your videos.
No, YOU look good Mike. Whatever you're doing is working mate!
Loving the daily Booth Junkie updates in recent times.
Thanks Mike. Now I can clearly decide which mic to buy.
great video Mike!
Glad I saw this video. Now I'm buying the Gauge ECM87 instead along with the WA76, EQP-WA and WA73 when it's released. That little bit of hi end boost will sound better when using the mic for livestreams and I can shape it in my vocal chain when I want to with the EQP-WA for vocal recordings. Thanks bro!
Thanks, Mike - I have been working out!
Great video, Mike! Thanks for the information. Quick question; is there a universal shock mount that will fit a Rode NT1? I'm not a fan of the one it comes with. It's kinda bulky. I like the one you're using on the WA 87 is something I'm looking for. Thanks, Mike!
I've used the Neumann U87s extensively... and my sense of recall tells me that the WA 87 has a closer emulation of the the real (vintage) U87. The Guage is really hyped in the 8k and plus range. If you chose that one you'd HAVE to thrown in a De-Esser to the signal chain. Great demonstration. Thank you for posting this.
I heard the exact opposite. I'm not a stranger to the 87 either. The warm is by far brighter.
The intros are always the best part.
The whole videos are always the best part.
You need both Mike, Both are good with your voice, both are bargains, they are very impressive for the price!! The ECM is definately slightly brighter, but not harsh at all--- I like the swtch options and "warmth" of the Warm--- I'd go with the Warm and you can use your eq to boost/cut whatever you want. Thanks for the comparison!!
Hey Mike, been a fan of yours for awhile and you are definitely the one person who has pushed me forward to try and obtain the best audio quality that I can achieve, will be building my own dedicated "recording room" once I've got the cash.
Wanted to ask you if maybe you'd be willing to do something like a mic etiquette/mic placement video? If you already have something like that up, please point me in the right direction. Thanks man.
Keep the reviews coming.
I'm totally biased because I own the ECM-87 plus I'm not an active recording engineer. I've used it successfully on a couple of CDs featuring multi-part vocals, and I've recorded fingerstyle guitar and heavy strumming instrumentals that landed slots on a few cable TV shows and indi films (no major credits). In my experience, the presence peak of this mic was a very welcome thing in all of my projects and if it wasn't there I might have added it during mixing. Thanks for the interesting & informative video!
Nice one!
Anyway for your tone of voice i'd probably prefer the Gauge over the Warm even if they'd cost the same.
Gauge sounds to me more crisp and even a bit bassier(?), the Warm seems to be more present in the mid-frequency ranges.
Hi Mike. Keep the videos coming, they’re great!
What is the 87 style mic? I realize these two look very similar to a Neumann U87, but is that just an appearance thing or is there more to it, like capsule size, length (87mm perhaps), etc?
Daniel Delgado it’s chasing not only the look, but the sound as well. Neumann created the U87 as a solid state follow up to the U67 which was a follow up to the U47.
Thx for sharing. I liked WA87.
I just perched WA47 and for the price it's very nice. Specially on vocals. Thx again
Awesome video thank you
Hello Mike,
So at this point you have a lot of good microphone comparisons and so I have a few questions which we know the historical answers to, but have the answers changed with anything you have tested recently?
1) Is the CAD E100S still your favourite mic?
2) If you could only have one microphone from your collection/review pool which would it be? Which mic do you end up using most professionally?
I know that this sounds similar to Q.1 but the answer might not be the same answer, the CAD could be your favourite but not your go to workhorse , for example I see the Shure SM7B appear a lot in your videos but in comparison to other mics (Neumann TLM103) it is mentioned less.
3) You obviously own a $1000 (or so Neumann) and you have compared it to a lot of $500-900 microphones (that either seek to emulate the U-87 Neumann or cut their own path).... so, in your opinion, in the modern age, with all these high quality manufacturers able to emulate and mannufacture high quality parts, does the Neumann still stand out? Is it still worth the premium or does it just sound as good/the same as some of these other mics you have been testing? Should a person still aspire to a Neumann? Would you still buy one if you knew what you knew now but did not already own the TLM103?
4) Would you, have you, gone on to buy any of the equipment you have reviewed? That would include the pre-amps, USB mics, condensors, etc... if not, is there any on the wishlist that will be bought at some point?
5) Of the mics that you have borrowed and the mics that you own... could (or are you willing) to compile a top 10? Or is that a stupid and thankless task?
6) I own a few Blue microphones... how would you rate them? Do you steer clear or is it simply that you have not been offered one to review? Edit: I mean the XLR mic's as opposed to the Snowball or Yeti.
7) Is there any chance of you doing a video on recording stereo? And is there any chance of reviewing any small diaphram condensor microphones?
I realise that you might not be able to answer any/all of these... but I would love it if you could address them.... Perhaps it is time to try a "Ask Mike..." section :)
Hope you are well and keep up the great work.
They're incredibly close! The Warm is a tiny bit smoother and that's probably because of the attenuated highs compared to the Gauge. Is the Warm worth twice as much? Well it does add multi patterns as well as high pass and a pad and without the accentuated highs it makes it more versatile. If all you're recording is voiceover though, then the Gauge is fine.
Thanks! I have been working out...😅
Listening on Sennheiser HD600 headphones and then Klipsch earbuds: These mics are very similar. The Gauge 12K bump makes your speech more intelligible on the earbuds. Both are fine on the HD600s. For your voiceover, I might prefer the Gauge and avoid adding more high end with EQ. I wonder what their Mic Clone software does. I'm curious to sweep EQ over the recordings and see if one's recording is more versatile than the other's.
hey thx man I've been working out yeah XD
I would love to see you review the warm audio WA 47jr
I think the shure ksm32 does a really good job of getting the u 87 sound
I’m tempted to say the Warm mic sounds more like a Neumann, but I’d be happy to own the Gauge mic 🤷🏼♂️ I’m actually surprised I haven’t heard of that brand before! Definitely sounds good enough to be a consideration in that price range!
Thanks always!
I think the Warm would be better on your voice for longer takes, i.e. Audiobook and the Guage better for commercial spots or to cut through music. The additional sibilance of the Guage would be a bit fatiguing to my ears on its own for any significant duration.
You really REALLY need to check out/review the Roswell Pro Audio Mini K47.
I actually give the Gauge a slight advantage listening through my cheap Senheiser HD206 headphones.
I think I've found the mic to buy when I upgrade from my cheapo Excelvan BM-800 mics.
I have one of Warm Audio's U47 clones - and with as good as that sounds I would probably choose the Warm Audio unit due to price and build quality - along with the acceptable audio output
Forget about U87 unless besides the german sound you need the figure of 8, low cut and pad. If you are looking just for cardioid with same sound you can choose a Gefell M930 or M930ts. It will cost much less and you get that german sound those neumann and gefell are famous for.
In fact Gefell still produces some mic models with the M7 capsule using PVC membrane. That capsule sounds fantastic.
Hey Mike - please make a video on how budget minded people can try these mics like these and other 87ish mics for their own voice if they are not near a big name music store. I am not sure if that is possible but any ideas would help.
Sweetwater has a return policy. Order a dozen of them and knock yourself out.
Mike is so good that when he says that I look good I believe him for a second...
its close, but the gauge loose for me. the highs are slightly more peaky and less controlled than the warm audio-- listen to the part of the video when you make the "s" sound around 10:20. Is that difference worth $300? I don't know..
I prefer the Gauge, better fullness in the low without being tubby. Maybe the Warm will be better with a darker pre.
Can you please compare Advanced Audio cm87 with Wa87
Do this microphones work for drum overheads ?
I never knew about the gauge 87, I think I actually like a brighter top end. Plus it’s cheaper than the warm audio with the same capsule as Neumann 87
Interesting!!! The Warm has a very nice sound, but the Gauge has just a hint more bottom and does has - as you say - a little brighter sound. BUT with a $300 difference, the Gauge is NICE!!!!
wonder how voice over is with modmic
I really hate the high end boost on the ECM. You’ll have to use a de-easer all the time
ok, now you need a super pricey shootout--- the U87 versus the various mic modules of the Blue Baby Bottle Mic --- call it the 4 K shootout!! I think you get enough views that you can get these on loan to try --- your comparisons are that good!!!!!!
The ecm-87 has a HPF on the inside of you open it up
To me the WA87 sounds natural... like I'm there in the room with you where as the other one is a little fake sounding with the extra sibilance
I like the low end better on the gauge.
CJ it’s definitely “tighter,” the Warm is warmer and a little more natural sounding.
Same here. After watching 3 of Mike's WA87 tests, I think the ECM87 sounds much closer to the TLM 103 and also much warmer, rounded in the bass and less thin in general. Surprised that the ECM is cheaper than the WA, and am going to look long and hard it the Gauge as an affordable VO mic.
Great channel! Thanks.
I still would like to see a review of my mic (the Rode NT1) and one of the Blue Raspberry (as a travel option), but your review of the Shure KSM32 ruined all other options for me. It sounds so sweet to me I'm not sure whether anything else can touch it. Between these two I prefer the WA87. The other one is too bright.
I love my NT1 - I don't think the KSM32 would sound better than it.
Steve Freegard i have the Blue, TLM103 and the ksm32. The ksm32 is my go to mic. Its much more forgiving on the top end.
I like my NT1 Steve. I just think the KSM32 sounds super sweet in this review.
I've got the new NT1 complete recording kit in the locker and it's amazing value, just for the Rycote shock mount, which i can sit a lot of my mics in, the microphone was a bonus.
Walter Williams I have it too. It is a really good set up.
+ Wa 87 thick mid range detail -
+ ECM 87 same as Wa87 but with Presence boost in hi-mid range frequencies..
If you use a frequency analyzer you could probably cut those frequencies and balance ECM 87 to sound just like the Wa87...
its a tiiiiiny difference
Hope you can compare the Aston Origin Large-diaphram Condensor Microphone to the Neumann TLM 103 someday.
The ECM87 has deeper low minutes. The high-frequency seemed about the same between the two. I actually have no preference. They both sound great in their own way.
The ECM-87 is more sibilant than the WA87, but I think I still prefer the sound of the ECM-87 overall.
Can you please make a portable booth and show us please? I trust you more than these other you tuber who thinks they know a thing about sound proofing.
The Guage is shiny on the top end just like it's grille...the Warm is just that, nice smooth and warm..IMHO.
What preamp are you running this test through?
Machts nichts. Both through the same preamp. No matter what it is. It’s a level playing field. So…
????
The Gauge sounds a bit like the TLM 103.
What do you think of MXL V67G and the MXL 770?
Got an MXL V69 tube mic last spring for $269 new,.. All the reviews said to ditch the tube it came with and upgrade it with a better tube, but I don't have any problem with what it came with,.. it's an amazing sounding mic.
I wish there was a channel that got into the guts of these mics. Easy enough to do. Unscrew the bottom ring and remove it and the shell. Then remove the head basket by removing the two screws. Show close-ups of the guts. Are the capsules same or similar?
i like the ecm-87 better, but thats maybe just for me
The WA87 is warmer, the ECM87 has more definition in the high end, which could be bad for some, good for others.
I thought you was saying that I'm looking good, but then i realized you was looking at yourself.
How did you know I'd been working out?
Just found out that there was, for a short run, a u87a - without the "i"
The Warm sounds like the better match for your voice, for the low end. However, the Gage really picks up on the higher end of the spectrum. It is similar to the Rode NT1-A. Not a bad mic, but I'll bump the Warm to the better quality.
The Warm is creamy butter compared to Gauge. Is there x2 $$ difference? Maybe a $200 difference.
There a few deciding factors.
- Does your RH/client want raw (unprocessed - no EQ or compression, etc.) Audio or can you run it through your audio chain.
If your answer is Processed is OK, then the best bang for your buck is the Gauge.
And, just stating for the obvious, the Warm is better for the unprocessed, raw audio. So, it depends upon what your situation is. I would sooner go for less processing.
What are the devices and brands in the signal chain? I think your preamps and compressors are really adding most of the quality sound your getting.
This is very simple to understand what these known, and unknown companies are doing. They're both trying to emulate the Neumann mics and selling them at a lower price. The reason they can sell the clone's so cheap is because their are STILL some cheap parts in them. But by all means, if you done have 2500, the clone's are the best way to go. They either have the same EXACT capsule, or a capsule made to sound EXTREMELY similar. With the clone's, they are always just a TAD more sibilant due to the cheap parts, but easily equable. Clone's are the way to go, dont waste anymore money on Rode's, Akg's at a low price point, the clone's are 20 times better.
The WA sounds more neutral and the GA sounds a little crunchy and has an artificial umf
OWned a wa87 silver version and a micparts.com s-87 and it (s-87) was closest and possibly best clone to date my ears have heard and crazy I know but maybe even better to me than vintage and newer u87 I also own tlm107 tom103 Shure ksm44(my fave mic overall) and several others avantone cv12 ...at 4050 at 2050 at 30? Gota look at it can't remember but a 30 series but to me the ecm is best for deep voices and I'm grabbing a guage today used forrrrrr 150💪🏁 will update later
Updates? Which U87 ai or c800g clone can you recommend? Budget up to $1000
Gauge ECM87 vs at450
bigger fan og WA over ECM's sound, but neither are bad
I actually think the ECM-87 sounds the best on your voice!
can you review this innogear $18 phantom power interface? its cheap so maybe a professional could review it. also keep up the great work!
Wa87 should be compared more to the 3u warbler they pretty much use same parts and warbler is 200 dollars cheaper
you ve got good acting skills)
It's official . . . I can't discern a single smidgen of difference.
For them to be identical is probably, realistically, an impossibility...
...but you couldn't prove it by me!!!
NICK OFFERMAN AND ZACH GALIFIANAKIS HAD A BABY AND IT IS YOU
The Warm is definitely smoother and warmer. The gauge has more sibilence and brighter. Someone lend Mike a Stam 87 please. Warm Audio sounds like an old Neumann 87 for sure
Stam 87 would be awesome as to me they sound much better than the WA-87 or the ECM-87 and I couldn't tell much difference between the Stag and an original U87 that I saw on another video.
The Warm is not as.....warm. The Gauge is much thicker sounding. I like it. Both would probably sound great in a mix. I just would rather cut away some fat than try to add what isn't there.
Gauge ECM87 better sounding microphone fuller low end better mids tops just better on your voice
Wish I was rich so I could buy you a u87 xD The ones I see are like $4500~ xD
ECM87
GAUGE all the way!
ECM87 is brighter. WA sounds better in my opinion.
The ECM is a cheaper mic and it sounds too sibilant...tinny. WA suits your voice best and sounds old school like the Vintage I've done V/O's on in the past. You get what you pay for in life.
I don't hear $300 difference. In the video of WA87 versus TLM103 the Warm Audio sounds cheap
Gauge looks just like my cad gxl2200 , got it for 69.00 Big ones
www.amazon.com/CAD-GXL2200-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0002EKEHS
Same shock mount, and sound siganture, and the cheesy shockmount has the same arm to screw onto your mic stand. haha
damn so many Sssssssssssss for that prissssssssssssssssss i misssssssss the cad100sssssssssssssss :p
Dumbass over here getting frustrated waiting when the comparison will begin.... was happening all along :) Both sounded great. would be hard press for anyone actually tell a difference in a song/VO.
I can't tell these 2 apart
Me either.
Well, one thing's for sure...they both beat the Disney "Frozen" USB Microphone!
I can usually tell a clear difference when he does these videos but in this one I hear no difference as well. Really interesting.
Warm audio 87 is a lot more flat and more like an 87
I wouldn't loan you a u-87 either, the way your always smacking mics around!
The inherent flaw in these two mics is that their sound has nothing to do with an original Neumann U87
Save you pennies and buy the WA-87