Can a $1599 microphone match up to an undisputed classic? Hear it for yourself...
In my opinion, there is no such thing as a valid microphone 'shoot-out'. In the first place, I live in the Oxfordshire (UK) countryside and the only shoot-outs here are the ones that bag pheasants for the pot. It isn't a word we commonly use on this side of the pond.
Secondly, and more seriously, there are so many variables in the ways in which microphones are used, no one comparison test can identify which is the overall best microphone from a selection of close-running contenders.
But although a shoot-out can never come up with a definitive result, microphone comparisons are always useful. The microphone is the most fundamental and important tool of the recording engineer, and developing an appreciation of the capabilities of microphones is a vital skill. Such an appreciation can only truly be developed by using and listening to microphones in many sessions over many years.
Here's an audio file that I recommend you download and audition in your DAW, through your studio monitor loudspeakers. To listen on your laptop speakers wouldn't really do it justice. I suggest you do this before you continue reading...
Yes it's rather repetitive. But that's so you can listen carefully and make your own analysis. The file alternates line by line. The first line is Mic A, the second Mic B, the third Mic A again, etc. etc. to the end.
If you listen to the file enough times, you will start to hear subtle differences between the mics. I won't tell you actually what to listen out for because I don't regard my opinion as any better than yours, and these matters are utterly subjective.
To add some clarity, here's a spectrogram. Mic A is shown in green, Mic B in red...
It looks from this that Mic B has been recorded a little higher in level, but other than that there are only quite subtle differences in frequency balance. Mic B seems to be stronger in the low bass, and high top end.
Of course, you can't see everything from a spectrogram, but they can be useful in offering further information on what you should be listening for.
Which mic is better?
It is difficult to say which mic is better on this test. I would be inclined to say that they are impressively similar. I can't see that the choice would be make-or-break in any real life recording scenario. It's all down to which you prefer, and which you prefer working with. If you find that you have a preference, and can describe why, feel free to comment below.
Which mic is which?
Ah, now we get to the real question. I'll let my source answer the question for you, in this YouTube video, from where the examples came...
It's an interesting test, and a well-made demonstration. The inclusion of a third mic, in my opinion, complicates the issue, and since it isn't a genuine vintage classic it brings in, for me, one variable too many.
Personally, having had the opportunity to use several examples of the Neumann U47, I would be very happy to give the Lauten Audio Atlantis a try. Whether it would prove to be as good an all-rounder is a different question, but in this test it certainly stands up well.
P.S. You might ask whether, since the audio in my example file came from the YouTube video, maybe it has been messed about with in some way by YouTube's audio mangler. Well yes it might, and the original studio master .wav file might tell you something more, or something different. One thing is for sure however - your recordings need to sound good on YouTube these days, not just in your studio.
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David Mellor
David Mellor is CEO and Course Director of Audio Masterclass. David has designed courses in audio education and training since 1986 and is the publisher and principal writer of Adventures In Audio.
@dancegod1691: This mic holds its own against u87's and even u47's but that 251 sounds way different.
@LautenAudio replies to @dancegod1691: Thank you so much
@amaldevhareendran7117: Lauten is good
@JeffEddy98: There's a lack of low mids in the Atlantis compared to the other two mics and the high end is not as smooth. You pay for quality.
@themancable: I like Lauten mics but why would you compare this mic (a FET) with two of the most classic tube mics of all time? The comparison is not exactly flattering for Atlantis. It's sorta like comparing a Les Paul with a Telecaster, why bother?
@LautenAudio replies to @themancable: Robert, Point taken. The purpose of the video is not a shoot-out; how a microphone sounds is severely subjective. What we tried to do was take 2 of the most common, thereof perhaps the most familiar to everyone’s ears, microphones in history to use as a reference point. A very unique feature of the Atlantis is the Multi-voicing switch; just by switching from F to N, or G, you are changing the timbre from open and airy, to tight and airy etc. And there starts the “severely subjective” adjectives…
@TheUnknownPlaces replies to @themancable: +Robert Cummings You're are right in a sense but the Atlantis sounds really good compared to classic mics. That was the point here.
@TheUnknownPlaces replies to @themancable: +Robert Cummings You're are right in a sense but the Atlantis sounds really good compared to classic mics. That was the point here.
@themancable replies to @themancable: +Johnnyboy231000
Maybe in your opinion but in my humble view the Atlantis performs poorly compared to these two classic tube mics. Since the Atlantis is a FET design, it cannot hope to sound even comparably to these two. Apples and oranges.
@themancable replies to @themancable: +Robert Cummings
And to continue my train of thought: I would have preferred to hear the Atlantis compared to an AKG414 and a Neumann FET47 or even a solid-state U87. That would be interesting.
@Eric_DiRisio: u47 fits his voice best
@DubztepRecordz: Your videos r very sharp man!
@DubztepRecordz: Your videos r very sharp man!
@dolbi82: COOL!!!!!!! Good Lauten!!!!!!
@alarimbaud3155: The U47 notoriously has a very colored sound -can be great in a mix, but will seldom win a head-to-head. The 251 has a very natural sound, which can be good or bad depending on the mix. The Atlantis has a nice sound but, as others have said, sort of artificial (and sometimes weak), albeit very clear. While the Atlantis had a nice enough response overall, it doesn't compare to the clarity of the 251 or the warmth/smoothness of the U47 (which, for the sometimes poor coloration, there's so much great coloration/warmth you can bring out in a mix that I don't see the Atlantis getting anywhere near without running it through a million things). Would be nice to hear them all in a mix, EQ'd to emphasize the same range and hear the characteristics of those useable (in a full band mix) frequencies - ie: sans all those which would be buried if in a mix, rather than solo with the full-range.
@AnthonyDiniMusic: U47 sounded better by comparison, with a smoother, more natural response, as did the 251. I'm hearing a harsh top and mid quality from the Lauten.
@isona3d replies to @AnthonyDiniMusic: Know this is such an old comment, but I’m glad I’m not the only one hearing that. The difference is actually not subtle at all
@SamBradhurst replies to @AnthonyDiniMusic: @isona3d kinda agree a little
@brendan3518: The Atlantis has more body than the U47, but also sounds a bit less natural on top. Just sounds a bit more hyped. The Elux 251 really sounded natural, tubey, smooth on the high end, and made the Atlantis sound even more artificial to my ears. Hard to tell without hearing them in a mix, though. It would've been cool if you'd thrown all three tracks into the mix for the sake of comparison. But I'm not down on the Atlantis -- at the price it's at, it looks like a great vocal mic with a lot of versatility and I hope to pick one up eventually.
@DapperDanLovesYou replies to @brendan3518: That hype you hear might be the music in his headphones? It's very tinny in the background against his voice and makes the high end seem overemphasized. That is what I could hear at least (It really bugged me too XD).
@moggotropolis1: seems to me this is rather like tasting wine, some may think a cote de nuit at £9000 clearly outshines a shop shelf variety, say pinot noir or even a chateauneuf du pape at £12. I guess what I am trying to say is, don't waste you money on a fancy looking bottle. Perhaps you think I'm wrong? whats your argument, why should any one spend so much money on a mic when it comes down to (in my opinion) working on your skills as a musician. thanks.x
@MatthieuDeLaPommes: the 47 has a clarity (or scoop?) in the midrange that does not exist in the elux or the lauten, all sound really good but to me the neumann u47 is just the better mic of the bunch.the 251 seems lower in volume, a tad less hot and a bit more clean compared to the atlantis but still that vintage tube neumann 47 is the winner.
@QuickQuips: Atlantis seems thicker and slightly louder than the Neumann. The 251 is clearer and bolder than the Atlantis forward. I'm sure a bit of EQ and the differences shrink even more. Just wish there was a similar shootout with a consistent source, like a reamped guitar amp.
@chrislago: That 251 really blew the other mics out of the water!
@nicefish10: Pretty good video and I really appreciate the comparisons. The Lauten is quite a good value when you compare the sound quality to the other more expensive mics. Certainly a very good value. That girl singing has a very wimpy voice...joke...
@vanrozay8871: roland1313 compares his clarion with atlantis on neutral setting. as far as i can tell, the atlantis IS pretty much a clarion with added voicing options. for that reason, i'm more likely to buy the lower-priced clarion, since i'd probably mostly use the neutral setting on atlantis. but atlantis IS an achievement, filling its own slot. that seems to be a lauten priority; filling unique niches. 47: tubey, smooth 251: brighter, clearer Atl: clear, bright. sounds solid state
@roland1313: All these mics sound great..all sound somewhat different but more similar to each other than anything else..and the Atlantis in nuetral setting sounds very very similar to my Lauten Clarion
@LautenAudio: Other than gain adjustment in post there was no adjustments in the audio path, we wanted to give you as clear of an impression of the mics as possible by eliminating other factors and influences. - Ben
@randomencounters: Huh. I personally heard a LOT of potential for listening fatigue on the Atlantis, that was not there on the 47. It's a harder choice between the 251 and the Atlantis, cause though there IS the fatigue, it's also much clearer... dunno.
@IMAWriterRobJ: Simon, didn't see your post. Still love my Focals!
@IMAWriterRobJ: Useful proximity going on with the Atlantis v the 47, which, by the way through my Focals sounded like a very good 47.I thought the 251 top end was a wee bit crispy compared to the Lauten, but there IS a cool thing that happens with tubes, undeniable. All 3 mics are keepers.That said, at any price, the Atlantis is a tremendous achievement, and the 3 positions aren't just window dressing, they matter. I know, as I have an Atlantis and couldn't be happier.That said,all 3 mics are keepers!
@eddiebelieves: There's no way to prove they don't have post going on, or treatment at the board going in. No doubt its a decent mic however, these kinda things are no tell as to what the mic will actually sound like. You'll need to test it for yourself. Expect less than stellar results, next to those giant mics. The apex series of mics sound ok. Ok... but next to rode or anything higher they fall apart, but I can make them sound identical in post. Just bare that in mind. =) Happy Shopping.
@simoncote: And of course - we have to mention the price of Atlantis ($1,500) vs the other mics!
@1176user: The all sounded solid, but I would need to hear them in the mix. Traditionally, the Neumann won't win an head-to-head, but the U47 sits in the mix better than most mics - some midrange authority thing. I wouldn't choose the Atlantis over the U47 because of that concern. That said, I thought the Atlantis took the fight to the 251 so well, that I would always pick the Atlantis over the 251 if I wanted a brighter mic. (Based upon this video).
@BrianLoudenslager: Yes, it is. ;-)
@paladinm109a6: To me it sounds like the Atlantis is more...modern. Good word to use?
@LautenAudio: Thanks Michael, we think it sounds pretty great too! There is a slight level difference but that's because of a couple factors. 1. We chose not to use any compression or limiting. 2. The perceived loudness changes with the slight tonal shifts. 3. There's slight performance differences from take to take. We did our best to match the levels to within a dB or so. I'd say the thing to focus on here is the tonal characteristics more so than the actual level differences. Thanks for the feedback! - Ben
@michaell.8938: The Atlantis sounded a bit louder than the other mics, which can fool your ears. That being the case, I think the Lauten sounded every bit as good as the classic mics. In the forward position, the Atlantis was more useable than the other two, in my opinion.