This mic has been used to track vocalists from Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand to Phil Collins and Joni Mitchell. The OW-12 #2 captures this favorite, the same one Sides’ used to record Frank Sinatra’s vocals on his 1984 album, LA is My Lady, as well as the all-star choir for 1985’s 'We Are The World.'īased on the Neumann M 49 - a slightly smoother, less-colored sounding U 47 due to a more transparent headbasket - the OW-49 faithfully emulates this late-’50s Ocean Way favorite. This AKG C12 is warmer and smoother than #1, highlighting the varying flavors of this classic, as it could be custom-tuned at the AKG factory to achieve different sensitivities and frequency response curves. One of the most complex and intricate large-diaphragm condenser capsules ever made, the OW-12 #1 emulation is an exacting model of this classic, even capturing its classic 10 kHz-ish “bump” and high-end sheen and sparkle without accentuating sibilance.
It’s also his prefered mic for lush, breathy vocals. Released in 1953, the AKG C12 is almost always Sides’ choice as a drum overhead. The OW-47 expertly emulates the original mic’s large condenser K47 capsule and a VF14 tube, giving you the same mind-blowing detail and legendary sonics for acoustic instruments and vocals. Allen Sides has acquired - and sold - more than 400 U 47s, and the OW-47 is based on his favorite, serial number 2679. For over 70 years, the Neumann U 47 has stood the test of time as the ultimate studio mic.
