Of course, the price depends on the type of tube. We are proud to announce the RK-47, a true single-backplate dual-diaphragm microphone capsule modeled after the legendary K47. Three layers are used for the wire basket, again the same as the original, and there's a choice of a polished‑chrome or matte‑finished outer grille. The Flea 47 reviewed here is an exact copy of the original Neumann U47, but as Flea are a boutique company, they are able to individually fine‑tune their microphones to customers' requirements (the Flea 47 they made for Peter Gabriel, for example, had an integrated pop filter included). The 47 FET is not even close to the 47 tube. The PVC ones had a tendency to stretch with age, and if you are lucky enough to find an original, expect to spend a lot of money having it restored. An amazing military hero story || STEVE HARVEY. SA-47 – Tube Condenser Microphone. Recording Services & Supply +1 785 820 7243. Just like the WA87, it’s a great all-purpose mic so it doesn't matter whether you are recording vocals or instruments with it. After 17 years of continuous production, the last U47 FET was built in 1986, by which time the U87 had evolved into the U87Ai as the default ‘studio microphone’ of choice, and the TLM170i had become the company’s flagship model. Today, several companies build near replicas of the U47, though there are inevitably some concessions to modern life, such as IEC power sockets, lead‑free solder and re‑engineered components where the originals are no longer available. It's fair to say that this is a pretty iconic microphone. WIN Prism Sound TITAN audio interface & Waveform Extreme software bundle, Abbey Road Studios Spatial Audio Forum | Podcast, Recording Drum Kits With Only Two Mics | Audio Examples, Distant City Studios - A Drum Room With A Difference, Mastering Essentials Part 6 - Final Delivery: Requirements & Specs. Re: New Room setting up Monitor / Headphone Reference f... New Room setting up Monitor / Headphone Reference first... Who’s still compressing and eqing while tracking? The Flea 47 is shipped with its own power supply and seven-pin XLR cable. I did need to add a little air to sit the vocal in the mix, but that's not unusual when mixing pop music. All rights reserved. Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 1,590.00 Add to cart; SA-87+ – Condenser Microphone ... His FLEA mic cost $3.9K USD. Most of our tests were done in cardioid mode, as this more readily shows up any weaknesses in performance, but the mic also works well in omni mode (with the caveat that the off‑axis response isn't quite as even as you'd expect from a dedicated small‑diaphragm omnidirectional mic). It is, however, difficult to test the degree of authenticity of the sound, because even if you hire in a few old U47s, the chances are they'll all sound different due to the ageing of the components. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers. An original VF14 valve in good condition can fetch around £1400, so that's not a cheap option! The FLEA Microphones 47 is a convincing recreation of the classic U 47 tube condenser mic, using custom house-made parts for a stunning sound for a fraction of … On electric guitar, both the Flea 47 and the C12VR produced very workable sounds when set up around 250mm from the grille and just in from the edge of the speaker cone, but the difference in tonality was very noticeable, and I felt the Flea came closer to how the amp sounded in the room. ... 414, U87) this is my new favorite mic. Request Chords. Request Chords. Finally, hand percussion was reproduced well with the Flea 47, while the C12VR needed presence boost and low cut to get a similarly realistic sound from my old darbuka. Request Chords. Countries of the former Czechoslovakia (Slovakia and the Czech Republic) have a reputation of engineering quality comparable to that of Germany, so it was no surprise to me to find that the company with the reputation for making some of the best vintage 'clone' microphones is based in Slovakia. A wire‑frame shockmount is also supplied. 4:41. Already have an account? I'm loving it. TOTALLY agreed. They don't charge any extra for this fine‑tuning, and there's also no extra charge for pair‑matching — a stereo pair will cost the same as two individual microphones. The Flea SuperFET 47 and 48 both retail at around $2195 £1800, so they already present quite a saving. It's hard to tell what makes the U47 so special by looking at its paper specifications, but then that's true of so many revered pieces of studio equipment. Every great singer deserves an amazing microphone, and for more than 60 years the U47 has been that microphone. Flea are, however, very keen to point out that their parts (other than the German connectors used in some models) are made in their native Slovakia and based on the original specifications, while their capsules are skinned by mic‑repair specialist Siegfried Thiersch in Germany. Then I try Uke Hawaiian music. The U 47 created its legendary sound with precision German engineering and the perfect synergy of all the right elements: a large wire-mesh head grille surrounding a capsule design perfected in 1932, amplified by a wartime Telefunken vacuum tube feeding a custom-wound transformer. Neumann's U47 was launched in 1948 and originally marketed by Telefunken, who put their name on the mic. FLEA 47 was the best vocal track I have ever heard! However, the mic can also be ordered with an F47/49 capsule, or a Thiersch‑skinned PVC‑diaphragm M7. If you're buying it in kit form, you also have to source your own valve. This one will be with me for a while. It was the first commercially available switchable‑pattern cardioid/omni capacitor microphone, and was built around the M7 capsule (with a diaphragm 12 microns thick), teamed with a VF14 valve in the amplifier/impedance‑converter stage. It doesnt sound like a 10,000 Euro mic but does sound way better than what it costs. John Willett. Flea are based in Považská Bystrica, on the Váh river in Slovakia, and are owned and run by Jaroslav Kotrla, Miloš Rojko and Ivan Hako (pictured from left to right), all of whom are musicians as well as technicians. Flea's Magnum version of this mic, fitted with the F47/49 capsule, is slightly more sensitive and has a more open‑sounding high end than the F7‑capsule version. I also love it on finger-style acoustic… really low noise, and a big clear sound that’s easy to mix! When you buy products through links across our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The U87 is based on the very popular U67 which was used by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. If you're highly experienced, you can even buy the microphone as a kit of parts and assemble it yourself, which would save you a significant amount of money, though the capsule backplate would still need to be skinned professionally. You can listen to some recordings made using the Flea 47 at /sos/sep11/articles/flea47media.htm. When I play in to FLEA 47 and hearing monitors, I felt the sounds are bit hard than other mics. FLEA 4750 - replaceable head for FLEA 47 or Neumann U47 microphones. It is equipped with an F7 capsule – our replica of the M7 capsule – our replica of BV8 transformer and Telefunken EF12 tube. While this reborn 47 isn't a budget mic by any means, it fills the role of its Neumann ancestor in being an extremely able all‑rounder, as well as being a solid performer on vocals. FLEA 47, FLEA 12 - Emmanuel Villani, Studio Madrigal Flea 47 is really impressive, I used it on vocal recordings with a Pyramix station, one pre-amplifier Milenia and a Mytek converter. Being a valve mic, it is not especially quiet, but in typical close‑miking applications, noise should not be an issue. The original VF14 valve is also long discontinued, so if you do manage to find one, the price will probably scare you! The 22 47 LE features a true vintage German EF-12 steel tube manufactured between the 1940s and 1960s. When I first powered up the Flea 47 I could get no signal from it, but a quick look inside the body revealed that the metal‑jacketed valve had slid out of its socket in transit and was resting against its protective foam ring. The WA-47 employs a modern Slovak Republic JJ 5751 tube. Great care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this article but neither Sound On Sound Limited nor the publishers can be held responsible for its contents. Those of you who have knowledge of prices know that the price of a good VF14 tube can reach 1,500€, so it is obvious that this mic is not a cheap thing. Should you need something more assertive, a little gentle EQ can be used to tailor the sound to a wide range of vocal styles. The original U47 was designed as a general‑purpose mic, and it did indeed work well across a wide range of sources, though it still seems to be regarded by many as being primarily a vocal mic, which really doesn't do justice to its versatility. Peak to +6dB on 15kHz. Flea pride themselves on using high‑quality components and point‑to‑point wiring in their hand‑assembled microphones. Of the currently built clones, the Wunder Audio CM7 and Wagner 47 are often cited in discussions between engineers as being the closest alternatives to a U47, though models from Korby, Soundeluxe, Telefunken and Peluso also attract favourable comments. The FLEA 47 is designed to be a superb replica of the U47. The mic itself resides in a velvet‑lined wooden box, and the whole kit packs into a large metal camera case. After owning this and hearing the quality, I’m seriously thinking of buying the SA47 to pair with my REDD Desk mic pre clone. $30,000 Mic Shootout: Bock 47 vs. Telefunken 251E vs. Manley Reference Gold vs. Telefunken U47. The Flea is also a very practical alternative to an original U47, as these may need a lot of expensive TLC to keep them going. How does a Flea 47 sound compared to a new Telefunken 47? As you'd expect from a valve mic, the sound is certainly warm, though with a less overblown low end than my own AKG C12VR (when used without its low‑cut filter). I also tried it a room mic with drums. Flea recommend the EF12 valve as sounding closest to the original VF14, and the price of the microphone is dictated by which valve you choose. But the Capsule Fatigues and they pony up about $1000 to put a new capsule in every year or two (or so I am told). When I used it for the first time, once the material was plugged, and after having let … Create a username and password below and an account will be created and your post entered. I bought this mic from Sweetwater with serious doubts. The high end version I am comparing it to is a Peluso 22 47 LE. Compared to the FLEA 47 design, the FLEA 47 NEXT - comes without a pattern selector, which is unnecessary due to the cardioid only modification, and a different microphone bottom connector. It’s hard to determine what’s the best of the best, but in this shootout, we tried to do that with 4 of our top tier mics. The WA-47 is a 9 multi-pattern vacuum tube mic and attempts to recreate the popular k47 capsule design of the late 1960’s. The Flea designers have also replicated the important BV8 transformer used in the original, employing the same alloy mix for the laminates. The Flea 47 is described as an exact replica of the U47, the F7 design being copied from Neumann's original M7 capsule. Great gear!!! Built with the same wiring and components as the FLEA 47. I already own a few great mics (FLEA 47, c800, u87, Manley Gold, an original u47 with vf14 tube, and a few others) and bought this thinking it would be a great mic to travel with and use in the "B" room of our modest studio. My view is that a great mic is a great mic whether or not it sounds exactly like something built half a century ago. The Saint Jean Baptiste held its own surprisingly well. Hi. Each RK-47 capsule is individually tested in an anechoic chamber prior to shipping, to ensure that its frequency response meets our standards. All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2021. One Synth Challenge VI : The Undiscovered PulseWidth. Web site designed & maintained by PB Associates & SOS. The Neumann U47 is one of the most revered of all studio mics, and while there are plenty of 'clones' available, Flea have gone the extra mile in their quest for authenticity. Sounds similar to M50. Elimination of the omni pattern allowed us to make slightly different design. I know some of this has been covered before but would really appreciate some input on this. The mic will work with Telefunken EF12, EF14, UF14 or VF14 valves (the review model came fitted with an EF12). Warm Audio is sort of taking over the world right now. FLEA 47 sounds so real and emotional!! This was a Telefunken pentode valve in a circuit that actually ran it as a triode, and it was run with its heater supply below the specified voltage to extend valve life. Just a phenomenal mic, and something a bit off the beaten path. Product Description. Incredible microphone that shines on most voices. STAM´s Pultec may be a good partner to add a little shine on dull voices – maybe that will be my next order from STAM I will be doing a little shootout with my U87 Ai as soon as I have a free week without recordings Flea all the way. R5Comes in a nice wooden box. Recording Advice | Bock Audio, Gear Shootouts, Manley, Telefunken. The 47 Valve is the Male Vocal Mic Extraordinaire! The difficulty is in saying which comes closest to the original, as no two old U47s sound exactly alike! R5Stands up very well against a tube 47-type mic. Let’s dive in and see if they can stand up to Neumann’s legacy. What did surprise me, however, was that the Flea 47 turned out to be considerably more sensitive than my C12VR. FLEA 4750. I understand that FLEA 47 do not need high frequency boost equalizing after recording in mix. If you are in the market for a microphone under the 1500-dollar price point the Cathedral Pipes Saint Jean Baptiste is definitely worth checking out. VK Shootout: Flea 47 vs. Vintage Neumann U47 When it comes to large diaphragm condenser microphones , there is no more beloved mic than the Neumann U47 . But the go-to is always the Sony! If you want a modern mic that stays true to the U47 tradition, you'll be hard pushed to get any closer than the Flea 47. Warm Audio WA 251 vs Flea 12 vs Warm Audio WA47 vs Flea 47. Everything is made using chunky, old‑school components on a very nicely engineered chassis, and the whole thing has an air of period authenticity about it. However, the mic can also be ordered with an F47/49 capsule, or a Thiersch‑skinned PVC‑diaphragm M7. But when I play back, a magic happen. Request Chords. They use no Chinese parts at all. The RK-47 capsule is compatible with most large-diaphragm condenser microphone designs. Neumann changed the M7 diaphragm material to the more stable MCF (Macrofol) compound during the 1960s, and it is this newer material that is used in the Flea F7 capsule fitted to the review microphone. Click here to login, The ability to reply to and create new discussions, Access to members-only giveaways & competitions, Interact with VIP industry experts in our guest Q&As, Access to members-only sub forum discussions, Get INSTANT ACCESS to the world's best private pro audio, Promote your eBay auctions and Reverb.com listings for free. On one of my frequent trips to the region, I decided to drop in on Flea and see them for myself. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Its authoritative mid-range and extended low-end response have made the TELEFUNKEN U47 the “go to” standard for any serious recording studio. R5Elegant looking and well built. ... WA87 vs U87. You need an account to post a reply. When picking a mic to suit your own voice, it's always best to try a few mics to see what works best, but where you need a mic that can be massaged to suit many different singers, the Flea 47 fits the bill nicely, as its lack of obvious coloration makes it easier to shape using EQ. A recessed slide switch selects between omni and cardioid patterns, while two copper‑coloured plates bear the Flea name and the microphone model details. If an 87 works on your voice an 87, but I would in generic terms grab a Flea 47! We at recording reviews set up the FET next to some of our favorite tubes mics, including the Flea 49. There are no pad or roll‑off switches on the mic. My initial speech test revealed a relatively uncoloured but very clear response, devoid of the usual presence peaks or top‑end lifts: the highs come across as smooth but with plenty of upper reach to capture the detail. FLEA 50 bottom vs FLEA 250 bottom. Souded great. The Design and History of the Legendary Neumann U47 Microphone. Share Tweet. This isn't a job most people can do on the kitchen table! I’ve got a Flea 47 Next, and every so often, depending on the vibe, my clients and I prefer the 47 over the Sony. Flea 47 or vintage U87. As with the original, the Flea 47's frequency response is an unremarkable 35Hz to 18kHz, while its sensitivity of 25mV/Pa (at 1kHz) compares favourably with that of other large-diaphragm capacitor mics. Please take note that this is for my private studio. Apparently, Flea also offer two versions of the power supply, one a copy of the vintage original and one a little more modern. Warranty. Ocean Way uses the 47 FET on Kick. The WA-47 is definately worth a try if you like a U47 with your voice. The basket of 47 is equipped with 38mm acrylic ball with 1/2 inch gold sputtered capsule. It took but a moment to re‑seat the valve, after which all was well. The Flea 47 is described as an exact replica of the U47, the F7 design being copied from Neumann's original M7 capsule. In fact, I'm glad that I was forced to open the mic, as the internals are well worth a look. Cosmetically, the mic has a no‑frills, vintage appearance with a wide, dull‑nickel‑plated, Duraluminium‑alloy body of the same dimensions as the original, and an all‑in weight of 660g. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers. A second test was done on a session with a female vocalist, and again the mic suited her voice well without producing any problems that needed excessive EQ to fix. Being used to a Neumann U87 Ai (which was my workhorse before) and dealing with it´s harshness the SA-47 does sound very natural and full bodied compared to the U87. 47 and 48 microphones, in which they set out to achieve sound qualities as similar Flea SuperFET 47 & 48 £1800 PROS R5Both are great-sounding, versatile all-rounder studio microphones. 4:16. The U47 is stylish, sounds incredible, and has the distinct honor of being used on sessions by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald to The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Neumann U87i / Neumann U87 Ai: The S3-87 is a 3-pattern mic with a K67/K87 capsule, and a variable EQ feature that lets you target any of 3 voicings from this family of mics: flat and rich like the U67, mild presence like the U87i, or pervasive presence like the U87 Ai. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. With the ‘A’ revision, the original 3-wire K67 capsule — renamed K870/67 — was restored to the microphone. Curiously, the early U47s used PVC as a diaphragm material, in contrast to the more stable Mylar used in most of today's mics. Similar sound characteristic like M50. VOCALS 1 Neumann U-47 vs M-147 vs Golden Age Premier GA-47 vs Warm Audio WA-47 microphone shootout! According to Roessler, the original U87(i) used a 4-wire version of the K67, in which the two backplate halves were isolated from one another through the use of a plastic shim. There are other little 'tricks' they can employ to tailor the microphone to the individual, such as making small changes to the holes drilled into the diaphragm backplates, which are apparently critical to performance. Will be mainly used as main vocal microphone with BAE 1084 and Retro Powerstrip preamps. The mic comes with its external mains power supply and a substantial seven‑pin locking cable. It should be easy to install in most of the large-diaphragm conden… On acoustic guitar, the Flea 47 delivered a credible sound straight off, while the C12VR needed a little presence boost and low cut to achieve a similar sound. Possibly the best applicaition for this mic .