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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

What is the primary application of the Neumann U47 microphone?

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.

Does the Neumann U47 require phantom power to operate?

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.

What polar pattern options does the Neumann U47 offer?

The Neumann U47 features a multipattern design, allowing users to switch between cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns for versatile recording applications.

How does the Neumann U47's tube circuitry affect its sound?

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.

Is the Neumann U47 suitable for modern recording studios?

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.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Vintage Neumann U47 vs. New Telefunken U47 Mic Comparison

Video thumbnail for Vintage Neumann U47 vs. New Telefunken U47 Mic Comparison by Sweetwater

Vintage Neumann U47 vs. New Telefunken U47 Mic Comparison

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Warm Audio WA-47 vs. Vintage Neumann U47 MIC SHOOTOUT by RV_ Music

Warm Audio WA-47 vs. Vintage Neumann U47 MIC SHOOTOUT

RV_ Music

RV_ Music

Video thumbnail for Mic Comparison Audio Test  | Telefunken U47 | Neumann U47 | Neumann M149 by Carlos Rodgarman

Mic Comparison Audio Test | Telefunken U47 | Neumann U47 | Neumann M149

Carlos Rodgarman

Carlos Rodgarman

Video thumbnail for A Look At A Historic Pair Of Neumann U47 Microphones From Vintage King by Vintage King

A Look At A Historic Pair Of Neumann U47 Microphones From Vintage King

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Vintage Neumann U47 vs Vintage Neumann U87 by ProfessorDan

Vintage Neumann U47 vs Vintage Neumann U87

ProfessorDan

ProfessorDan

Video thumbnail for Neumann U47 vs U87 by Christian Svedin

Neumann U47 vs U87

Christian Svedin

Christian Svedin

Video thumbnail for Unboxing  Telefunken U47 and Neumann U47 by Carlos Rodgarman

Unboxing Telefunken U47 and Neumann U47

Carlos Rodgarman

Carlos Rodgarman

Reviews

PROS

  • Unmatched, legendary sound quality

  • Superior to modern clones and replicas

  • Captures vocals with warmth and detail

  • 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

  • Vintage U47s and clones vary significantly, each offering a unique sound profile, leading to subjective preference based on taste rather than inherent superiority.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The U47 excels at naturally fitting into mixes without extensive EQ or compression adjustments, a challenge for many clone microphones.

    Source
  • The U47's versatility is demonstrated in a diverse recording setup, capturing double bass, vocals, jazz drums, and piano with consistent quality.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Testing involved placing mics close together to avoid performance variation, acknowledging potential sound coloration due to reflections.

    Source

User experience

  • Handling vintage U47s, valued between $20k-$30k, alongside clones highlights the risk and responsibility of working with high-value gear.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • 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.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • A modification for the U87ai is suggested to run internally at 48v to achieve a sound closer to the original U87, potentially improving its vocal performance.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
danlaurens

Neumann U47 long body

i have two. probably the best mic in the world

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ian Stewart uses Neumann U47

Ian Stewart

Keyboardist

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via ProSoundWeb

Used on the piano for "You Gotta Move", "Wild Horses" and "Brown Sugar", as stated by mix engineer Jimmy Johnson in this September 21, 2018 ProSoundWeb interview.

On the piano I was using only one mic, not two, so I had to move it around to find the hot spot. I’m going to have to think on that one. I think it was a U47, that was the other one, because three was all we had. And we used them all on every session.

See how Ne-Yo uses Neumann U47

Ne-Yo

Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the making of "Incredible" with Céline Dion, Ne-Yo uses a Neumann U47 microphone, as observed in the official behind-the-scenes video provided by CelineDionVEVO on YouTube.

See how Mark E. Smith uses Neumann U47

Mark E. Smith

Singer

The Fall

...
Verified via YouTube

At 36:33 of this documentary, Smith can be seen singing into a Neumann U47.

See how Bruce Swedien uses Neumann U47

Bruce Swedien

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Bruce Swedien's favorite vocal mic - the Original 1950's U47 Chrome Top M7 Capsule Version - Used on Nat King Cole etc & Michael Jackson's 'Man In The Mirror' 'She's Out Of My Life' 'Speechless'

See how Zooey Deschanel uses Neumann U47

Zooey Deschanel

Singer, Guitarist

She & Him

...
Verified via EMusician

Used for the vocals on Volume 3, as mentioned in this April 15, 2015 Electronic Musician interview.

Deschanel usually sings into a Neumann U47. “I have done a number of mic shoot-outs to see what we liked best,” she says. “But we don’t always universally stick to [the U47]; I love an RCA 77, too.”

On this project, [producer Pierre] de Reeder placed U47s for Deschanel and Ward; both also went to Neve 1073 mic pre’s, and Deschanel’s vocal took a small amount of 1176 compression. “Nothing’s heavily compressed,” de Reeder points out. “It’s just barely rocking the needle and making sure everything’s in control.”

All of the other inputs went through preamps in Sound Factory’s custom API console, then straight to a Studer A827 24-track tape machine.

See how Marty Robbins uses Neumann U47

Marty Robbins

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Mentioned by sound engineer Bob Johnston in this 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, 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."

See how Little Richard uses Neumann U47

Little Richard

Singer, Keyboardist

R.A.D.D. (Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving)

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this photo of Little Richard.

See how Tony Bennett uses Neumann U47

Tony Bennett

Singer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

According to producer Dae Bennett, Neumann U47s were used to record Bennett and his guests on Duets II.

"My vocal setup for the recordings with the quartet consisted of two Audio-Technica AT4047 mics, going into a Neve 1073 and then a [Urei] 1176. I normally like to use the classic Neumann U47 for recording vocals, but they would have picked up too much of the room. The AT4047s have a tighter cardioid pattern and also sound very good. In the sessions when the vocalists sang to the locked two-track edits, I did use two Neumann U47 mics."

(...) "We set Tony and Amy [Winehouse] up with playback speakers and two [Neumann] U47 mics, and what you see in the video are the actual vocal takes that I selected for my edit. The signal chains were the same: Neve 1073 and then an 1176 and then going into Pro Tools. I recall that they did about five or six takes. You can see some mutes in the vocal takes, which is where there may have been too much leakage or too much of the sound of the room. But in general I left the spill. The string arrangement was added later."

See how Bill Haley uses Neumann U47

Bill Haley

Singer, Guitarist

Bill Haley & His Comets

...
Verified via Photo

In a 1957 photo, Bill Haley is seen using a Neumann U47 condenser microphone.

See how Lizzo uses Neumann U47

Lizzo

Singer, Rapper

The Chalice

...
Verified via Photo

Lizzo used a Neumann U47 microphone to record the track "About Damn Time" for her album Special. This is mentioned in an Instagram post by sashabefluting, highlighting the song's creation and Lizzo's contribution.

See how Chet Baker uses Neumann U47

Chet Baker

Trumpeter

...
Verified via Photo

Used for the trumpet on Chet Is Back!, as can be seen on the album cover and two ca. 1961 photos, which can be found here and here

See how Jeff Ellis uses Neumann U47

Jeff Ellis

Audio Engineer

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video by Sound On Sound magazine titled "Jeff Ellis: Engineering Frank Ocean," Jeff Ellis, an audio engineer, mentions at 6:38 that he uses the Neumann U47 microphone to record Frank Ocean’s vocals.

Album Usage

The Neumann U47 has been featured on the following albums:

Neumann U47 as heard on A Catalogue of Jazz: Miles Davis by Miles Davis (2026)

A Catalogue of Jazz: Miles Davis

Miles Davis (2026)

Neumann U47 as heard on Desiderium by Somnuri (2023)

Desiderium

Somnuri (2023)

Neumann U47 as heard on About Damn Time (Purple Disco Machine Remix) by Purple Disco Machine & Lizzo (2022)

About Damn Time (Purple Disco Machine Remix)

Purple Disco Machine & Lizzo (2022)

Neumann U47 as heard on Special by Lizzo (2022)

Special

Lizzo (2022)

Neumann U47 as heard on Inside Friend (feat. John Mayer) by John Mayer & Leon Bridges (2020)

Inside Friend (feat. John Mayer)

John Mayer & Leon Bridges (2020)

Neumann U47 as heard on Xoxo by Jayhawks (2020)

Xoxo

Jayhawks (2020)

Neumann U47 as heard on Wonderbloom by Becca Stevens (2020)

Wonderbloom

Becca Stevens (2020)

Neumann U47 as heard on Changes by Justin Bieber (2020)

Changes

Justin Bieber (2020)

Neumann U47 as heard on Good News by Megan Thee Stallion (2020)

Good News

Megan Thee Stallion (2020)

Neumann U47 as heard on The Beatles by The Beatles (2018)

The Beatles

The Beatles (2018)

Neumann U47 as heard on Dos en Uno by Steve Jordan (2017)

Dos en Uno

Steve Jordan (2017)

Neumann U47 as heard on Lighthouse by David Crosby (2016)

Lighthouse

David Crosby (2016)

Neumann U47 as heard on Montage Of Heck: The Home Recordings by Kurt Cobain (2015)

Montage Of Heck: The Home Recordings

Kurt Cobain (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones (2015)

Brown Sugar

The Rolling Stones (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Bitch (Extended Version) by The Rolling Stones (2015)

Bitch (Extended Version)

The Rolling Stones (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Wild Horses (Acoustic Version) by The Rolling Stones (2015)

Wild Horses (Acoustic Version)

The Rolling Stones (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Another Country by Rod Stewart (2015)

Another Country

Rod Stewart (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Traveller by Chris Stapleton (2015)

Traveller

Chris Stapleton (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Spotify Sessions by Adam Lambert (2015)

Spotify Sessions

Adam Lambert (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Matador by Gaz Coombes (2015)

Matador

Gaz Coombes (2015)

Neumann U47 as heard on Popular Problems by Leonard Cohen (2014)

Popular Problems

Leonard Cohen (2014)

Neumann U47 as heard on 40 Acres and a Mule by Superwolf (2013)

40 Acres and a Mule

Superwolf (2013)

Neumann U47 as heard on Volume 3 by She & Him (2013)

Volume 3

She & Him (2013)

Neumann U47 as heard on Gold Cobra by Limp Bizkit (2011)

Gold Cobra

Limp Bizkit (2011)

Neumann U47 as heard on Christmas by Michael Bublé (2011)

Christmas

Michael Bublé (2011)

Neumann U47 as heard on Duets II by Tony Bennett (2011)

Duets II

Tony Bennett (2011)

Neumann U47 as heard on Special Delivery by Michael Bublé (2010)

Special Delivery

Michael Bublé (2010)

Neumann U47 as heard on Flockaveli by Waka Flocka Flame (2010)

Flockaveli

Waka Flocka Flame (2010)

Neumann U47 as heard on Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon (2009)

Sex On Fire

Kings of Leon (2009)

Neumann U47 as heard on The Fall by Norah Jones (2009)

The Fall

Norah Jones (2009)

Neumann U47 as heard on Only By The Night by Kings of Leon (2008)

Only By The Night

Kings of Leon (2008)

Neumann U47 as heard on Icky Thump by The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)

Icky Thump

The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)

Neumann U47 as heard on Raising Sand by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (2007)

Raising Sand

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (2007)

Neumann U47 as heard on Continuum by John Mayer (2006)

Continuum

John Mayer (2006)

Neumann U47 as heard on Kickin' Out The Footlights... Again: Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones by Merle Haggard & George Jones (2006)

Kickin' Out The Footlights... Again: Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones

Merle Haggard & George Jones (2006)

Neumann U47 as heard on Ganging up on the Sun by Guster (2006)

Ganging up on the Sun

Guster (2006)

Neumann U47 as heard on Late Registration by Kanye West (2005)

Late Registration

Kanye West (2005)

Neumann U47 as heard on It's Time by Michael Bublé (2005)

It's Time

Michael Bublé (2005)

Neumann U47 as heard on Jagged Little Pill (Acoustic) by Alanis Morissette (2005)

Jagged Little Pill (Acoustic)

Alanis Morissette (2005)

Neumann U47 as heard on Love Is Hell by Ryan Adams (2004)

Love Is Hell

Ryan Adams (2004)

Neumann U47 as heard on Figure 8 by Elliott Smith (2000)

Figure 8

Elliott Smith (2000)

Neumann U47 as heard on Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu (2000)

Mama's Gun

Erykah Badu (2000)

Neumann U47 as heard on ...Baby One More Time (Digital Deluxe Version) by Britney Spears (1999)

...Baby One More Time (Digital Deluxe Version)

Britney Spears (1999)

Neumann U47 as heard on The Colour And The Shape by Foo Fighters (1997)

The Colour And The Shape

Foo Fighters (1997)

Neumann U47 as heard on Pop by U2 (1997)

Pop

U2 (1997)

Neumann U47 as heard on Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette (1995)

Jagged Little Pill

Alanis Morissette (1995)

Neumann U47 as heard on Achtung Baby (Deluxe Edition) by U2 (1991)

Achtung Baby (Deluxe Edition)

U2 (1991)

Neumann U47 as heard on The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd (1973)

The Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd (1973)

Neumann U47 as heard on Papa's Got A Brand New Bag by James Brown & The Famous Flames (1965)

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

James Brown & The Famous Flames (1965)

Neumann U47 as heard on Chet Is Back! by Chet Baker (1962)

Chet Is Back!

Chet Baker (1962)

Neumann U47 as heard on Walkin' (Remastered 2025) by Miles Davis (1957)

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.

AMS Neve 1073
AMS Neve 1073 Preamps & Channel Strips
13
Neumann U67
Neumann U67 Condenser Microphones
9
Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
8
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Condenser Microphones
7
Coles Electroacoustics 4038
5
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools DAW Software
5
AKG C 24
AKG C 24 Condenser Microphones
4
Shure SM7
Shure SM7 Dynamic Microphones
4

Community setups

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wanya7

wanya7

Gear IQ 1824

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