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Average Price: $16,111
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$100
$401+
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Description
Discover the legendary Neumann U47, a game-changer in the world of tube microphones. Introduced in 1947, this transcendent microphone has not only stood the test of time but has constantly been seen as a benchmark in recording studios worldwide. Its groundbreaking design set a new standard in fidelity, surpassing the performance of the earlier "bottle" microphones. But it's not just the technical prowess that sets the Neumann U47 apart. This microphone is renowned for its captivating, larger-than-life tone that sends a shiver down the spine of both professional engineers and casual listeners. With the U47, your recordings will never be the same.
Key Features:
- Revolutionary tube microphone design
- Superior fidelity over earlier "bottle" microphones
- Switchable polar patterns without needing to change capsules
- Produces a larger-than-life tone
- Lauded by professional engineers and casual listeners alike
Product specs
| Brand | Neumann |
| Model | U 47 |
| Finish | Nickel |
| Year | 1950s |
| Made In | Germany |
| Categories | Microphones |
| Electronics | Analog, Tube |
| Microphone Type | Large-Diaphragm Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Multipattern |
| Wired/Wireless | Wired |
FAQs
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What is the primary application of the Neumann U47 microphone?
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The Neumann U47 is widely regarded as a classic vocal microphone, known for its warm and rich sound. It is also highly effective for recording acoustic instruments, making it a versatile choice for studio applications.
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Does the Neumann U47 require phantom power to operate?
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The original Neumann U47 is a tube microphone and does not require phantom power. Instead, it uses an external power supply to operate its tube circuitry.
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What polar pattern options does the Neumann U47 offer?
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The Neumann U47 features a multipattern design, allowing users to switch between cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns for versatile recording applications.
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How does the Neumann U47's tube circuitry affect its sound?
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The tube circuitry in the Neumann U47 contributes to its warm, smooth, and full-bodied sound, which has made it a favored choice for vocal recordings and a staple in professional studios.
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Is the Neumann U47 suitable for modern recording studios?
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Yes, the Neumann U47 remains a highly sought-after microphone for modern studios due to its legendary sound quality and versatility, particularly in capturing vocals and acoustic instruments.
Videos
Sweetwater
Vintage Neumann U47 vs. New Telefunken U47 Mic Comparison
Reviews
PROS
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Unmatched, legendary sound quality
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Superior to modern clones and replicas
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Captures vocals with warmth and detail
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Favored by iconic musicians across generations
CONS
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Neumann U47.
Comparisons
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Vintage U47s and clones vary significantly, each offering a unique sound profile, leading to subjective preference based on taste rather than inherent superiority.
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The U47fet is described as warmer and richer than the U87, with users noting its underrated performance on vocals despite its reputation as a kick/bass mic.
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Some users prefer the brighter, mid-forward tonality of Neumann's U67/U87 for most vocalists, contrasting with the darker vocal sound of the U47fet.
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Use cases and applications
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The U47 excels at naturally fitting into mixes without extensive EQ or compression adjustments, a challenge for many clone microphones.
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The U47's versatility is demonstrated in a diverse recording setup, capturing double bass, vocals, jazz drums, and piano with consistent quality.
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It's observed that the U47fet can soften "s" sounds in vocals, which may be beneficial in some recording contexts but could also be perceived as mushy.
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Setup and maintenance
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Testing involved placing mics close together to avoid performance variation, acknowledging potential sound coloration due to reflections.
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User experience
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Handling vintage U47s, valued between $20k-$30k, alongside clones highlights the risk and responsibility of working with high-value gear.
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Features and functionality
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The U47fet is noted for its handling of low-end sources like piano and bass, making it suitable for applications requiring robust low-frequency capture.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
While discussing the nuances of choosing vocals mikes in this R / E / P forum thread, producer J.J. Blair mentioned his use of the U47 on Cash.
I will choose a U47 typically for a male singer who has any texture in his voice, if it's not "airy." If I use my C12 or Manley Gold on those singers, I can't add compression without bringing out that throat texture in an unflattering way.
I'll name drop here, simply because you know these voices: I used a U47 on Johnny Cash, because it captures perfectly that granite resonance in his voice. On Rod Stewart, who has texture, but lets a lot of air pass through his throat, I used the C12 to capture that air. His texture was more crackle, where John was gravel.
While discussing recording Bob Dylan in this Mix Online interview, producer Bob Johnston also mentions using a U47 on Cash anecdotally.
I always used three microphones on Dylan, 'cause his head spun around so much. I used a big [Neumann] U47 on him, same as I used on Johnny Cash later.
It was also mentioned by Johnston in this May 2010 Sound on Sound "Classic Tracks" interview about the recording of Bob Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands".
"What I used on his vocals — and what I used on Johnny Cash, Patti Paige [sic], Marty Robbins and many others — was a [Neumann] U47 microphone with a power pack,” Johnston explains. "It was the old one and nothing was better."
Mentioned in this February 12, 2015 article from the Vintage King website.
2015 was a remarkable year for Vintage King clients involved in the music industry, as we had over 30 artists, producers and engineers we work with nominated for Grammy awards. While we all know how secretive sonic creators can be about their work process, we asked a few of our favorite studio workhorses to divulge the secrets of their Grammy-nominated vocal chains.
While Chris Stapleton may be a new face for many music fans, producer Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson/Jason Isbell) and engineer Vance Powell (Jack White / JEFF the Brotherhood) are no strangers to creating amazing records. When deciding what gear to use during the recording of Stapleton's Grammy-nominated album, Traveller, Cobb asked Powell to select what would be used in the vocal chain.
The end results saw Vance opting to use a vintage U47 and running them through vintage Neve 1073 and an Esoteric Audio Research 660 for compression/limiting. The vocals were all cut live with the rest of the band playing in the same room at RCA Victor Studios. The only exceptions were two albums tracks that were recorded outside the front of The Castle studio, thus the sound of passing cars and crickets.
"That's Jeff Bass playing guitar on 'Lose Yourself'. I mixed that — I was there from the beginning. We were on the set for the movie [8 Mile] when Marshall did his vocal. He would come in on his lunch break, which was usually 15 minutes long. The vocal that ended up being the final vocal was the first take. He tried to sing it a few other times, but just couldn't beat it because he had some kind of other energy. He was making them wait — he came in and said, 'Okay I gotta do this real quick.' He did it real fast and laid some doubles on it like he usually did. You can hear it's in one of those vox boxes in a trailer — the floor is kind of hollow. But the emotion he put into that particular performance was awesome — we were all like, 'Oh my God!' That guy is super talented, brilliant.
(...) The vocal chain was always an Avalon preamp, Neve 33609 compressor and a Sony C800G tube mic. Earlier with Marshall I used the Neve 1073 preamp and a [Neumann] U47."
— Steve King, sound engineer and writer for the 8 Mile soundtrack
Mentioned in a comment on this Instagram post by Benmont Tench.
jonregen @benmonttench Tell Ryan I bought John Porter’s U47 that he recorded Love Is Hell on!
Visible in this ca. 1960 photo of Presley. The article "A Brief History of the U-47" from the George Neumann archives, transcribed in this 2010 page from voice actor Thom Wilkins' website, also mentions Presley's use of the mic.
In the past, superstars such as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Miles Davis and David Bowie used the U 47 repeatedly during the course of their careers. This mic remains a top favorite even today, and is used in numerous contemporary productions.
In the new YouTube Series JUSTIN BIEBER: SEASONS S1 • E2. You can see Justin in the booth working on his new album with the Neumann U47, it can be seen at 4:00 in this video.
"Jónsi’s layered vocals are a Sigur Rós trademark, and they’re not arrived at easily. He typically sings through a Neumann U47..."
In this behind the scenes video of the making of guillotine, Jon Bellion starts singing his ideas for the first verse of the song into this microphone around 8:11.
Used on the bass for "Sex on Fire", stated by Only by the Night producer Jacques King in this December 2008 Sound on Sound interview.
"With regards to 'Sex On Fire', the bass was recorded with a DI and a Neumann U47 on the SVT cabinet, close but not right up to the speaker. The microphone on the bass is usually at its upper range of ability, and because the U47 is a tube microphone you get a little bit of tube squash, with the harmonics nearly going into distortion. A lot of times in rock & roll, the bass is really clean and you have to fuzz it up. Both the DI and the 47 went through a Neve 1081 preamp and then an [Teletronix] LA2A compressor, plus an old Dbx 160 on the DI. I also used a very old subharmonic synthesizer, the Dbx Disco Boombox, on the DI. Jared plays a lot of melodic stuff very high up the neck of his bass, and to be able to keep the weight of the track I synthesized some additional low end."
Album Usage
The Neumann U47 has been featured on the following albums:
A Catalogue of Jazz: Miles Davis
Miles Davis (2026)
Desiderium
Somnuri (2023)
About Damn Time (Purple Disco Machine Remix)
Purple Disco Machine & Lizzo (2022)
Special
Lizzo (2022)
Inside Friend (feat. John Mayer)
John Mayer & Leon Bridges (2020)
Xoxo
Jayhawks (2020)
Wonderbloom
Becca Stevens (2020)
Changes
Justin Bieber (2020)
Good News
Megan Thee Stallion (2020)
The Beatles
The Beatles (2018)
Dos en Uno
Steve Jordan (2017)
Lighthouse
David Crosby (2016)
Montage Of Heck: The Home Recordings
Kurt Cobain (2015)
Brown Sugar
The Rolling Stones (2015)
Bitch (Extended Version)
The Rolling Stones (2015)
Wild Horses (Acoustic Version)
The Rolling Stones (2015)
Another Country
Rod Stewart (2015)
Traveller
Chris Stapleton (2015)
Spotify Sessions
Adam Lambert (2015)
Matador
Gaz Coombes (2015)
Popular Problems
Leonard Cohen (2014)
40 Acres and a Mule
Superwolf (2013)
Volume 3
She & Him (2013)
Gold Cobra
Limp Bizkit (2011)
Christmas
Michael Bublé (2011)
Duets II
Tony Bennett (2011)
Special Delivery
Michael Bublé (2010)
Flockaveli
Waka Flocka Flame (2010)
Sex On Fire
Kings of Leon (2009)
The Fall
Norah Jones (2009)
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon (2008)
Icky Thump
The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)
Raising Sand
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (2007)
Continuum
John Mayer (2006)
Kickin' Out The Footlights... Again: Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones
Merle Haggard & George Jones (2006)
Ganging up on the Sun
Guster (2006)
Late Registration
Kanye West (2005)
It's Time
Michael Bublé (2005)
Jagged Little Pill (Acoustic)
Alanis Morissette (2005)
Love Is Hell
Ryan Adams (2004)
Figure 8
Elliott Smith (2000)
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu (2000)
...Baby One More Time (Digital Deluxe Version)
Britney Spears (1999)
The Colour And The Shape
Foo Fighters (1997)
Pop
U2 (1997)
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette (1995)
Achtung Baby (Deluxe Edition)
U2 (1991)
The Dark Side of the Moon
Pink Floyd (1973)
Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
James Brown & The Famous Flames (1965)
Chet Is Back!
Chet Baker (1962)
Walkin' (Remastered 2025)
Miles Davis (1957)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Neumann U47, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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