Project U47w

Elevator pitch

Haere mai!  We have the opportunity to buy a mint condition Wagner U47w microphone from it's original owner. The specifics relating to its pedigree and history are detailed below but in summary, it is one of the most revered microphones ever created.   

In light of the recent times and current uncertainty, a big part of the puzzle moving forward for us will be to raise our profile and entice new opportunities.  Having access to a historic flagship microphone like this will give our studio a heart, a center piece… creating an invaluable point of difference.   

On receiving the microphone, the first fantastic opportunity to present itself will be to record brand new, never heard before, original compositions by two of New Zealand’s most prominent pianists, Flavio Villani and Michael Bell.  The performances will be conducted on their preferred pianos of choice, an immaculate Steinway and a historic Pleyel. 

If successful, supporters of this campaign will see Flavio and Michael walk away with recordings of their latest work, that can be shared and enjoyed by all their loyal followers within NZ and abroad. 

Who?

Kia Ora!  My name is John Gray and together with my partner Alex Mele, we run a NZ based media production company, Roomservice Media. We specialise in story telling through video, music and art in education and capturing performances on location… wherever that may be. 

What?

Philosophically, this is an initiative to bring a piece of audio history and a technological work of art to New Zealand and make it available to use on local projects here in Aotearoa.  

What is it exactly!? 

A Wagner U47w is available to purchase and it is a modern day, indistinguishable remake of a Neumann U47. 

Why is it special?

There are very nice microphones out there… and for cheaper too.   There are more expensive microphones and rarer microphones than this out there too, but none of them sound or look an original U47.  

To give it all some context, the Neumann U47 is widely regarded as one of the finest vocal and solo instrument microphones ever made. When describing it's sound, a common description of it is “larger than life”, big, lush, smooth and vibey.  If a good workable example is available to use on a recording project, they are typically the preferred choice by producers, engineers and artists alike, more than 80% of the time.  It lends an authority to any voice recorded with it and when offered up to any talent to perform in front of, it’s presence alone can inspire greater performances purely because of the rich history associated with it.  If there was such a thing as a technological muse, or a performance enhancer for the acoustic arts, then this would be a very strong candidate! 

To find an original U47 in any condition is hard enough, but to find one that works or that doesn’t need a complete overhaul is even harder.  If those two planets do align, however, you can expect to pay in the region of $20,000USD ($35,000NZD) for one.

Why is it unique? 

Some would argue, that unless it wears a Neumann badge, it’s not a real U47.  Anything else is considered a ‘clone’ and subject to the basic laws of marketing hype.  

Please enter the frame, Gunter Wagner. Gunter is an ex Neumann engineer, master craftsman and is widely regarded as one of the finest Neumann technicians around today. 

Not only does he service Neumann mics from around the world, but for a very short period in time, he also re-created them.  In the 1980’s, Gunter re-manufactured by hand most of the key U47 parts in order to service and maintain original U47s.  In 1998, he built the first completely new U47 reproduction as a special order for an international client and the response was off the charts.   Finally, it was possible, to achieve 100% of the look, feel and sonic quality of the classic U47, but without the reliability problems associated with a 60 year old unit.  

Over the years, Gunter went to pain staking lengths to refabricate all of the components from original materials to make just over 250 new U47 microphones. It is labelled as the Wagner U47w and no other microphone manufacturer can or does make these claims, therefore, this is the nearest you can get to a brand new, perfectly identifiable, easily serviceable and sonically inimitable, U47.  

Why it’s worth funding? 

To be clear, we are not looking to purchase an original U47.   To double down, we are not talking about a beaten up example of a U47w either.   The person selling this specific microphone in question, is the original owner and was put in touch with me directly by Gunter himself.   He purchased it in 2012 and is from a well-known entertainment family in Australia.  The microphone is in mint condition, perfect working order and has been a treasured possession in his commercial studio.  He is winding things down and in his own words, is selling off items he still desires, but no longer requires.  

The seller has agreed to give us first refusal on the microphone and will hold on to it until the campaign finishes. 

In short, these opportunities don’t come along very often.  Only 250 were ever made and are highly sought after.  You will not be able to find a better working example of a U47w available.  

We feel that having a microphone of such heritage available to enrich the NZ arts community is a long term vision and that Boosted is the best platform to make it happen for all parties involved.

Why it’s an incredible opportunity? 

Right now during this Covid madness, there are people without jobs, without a roof or food on the table and the world is full of unprecedented chaos.  Why would anyone want to support this?  

In our view, it is exactly times like these that foster creativity.  It is times like these that fuel a voice and inspire stories to be told.  Everyone backing this project could be part of a community that went on to capture, instil hope and inspire other artists here in our very own Aotearoa for years to come.   

Tax deductions and donations

Thanks to Boosted and the Arts Foundation, all donations are acknowledged and are 33% tax deductible within NZ.  If we also crowd fund more than $1000, then the Arts Foundation will give a $1000 koha to sweeten the deal.  Ka Pai!

Any funds raised over and above the threshold, will be donated to the Patience project.  They are a fantastic charity dedicated to supporting young people with long-term illnesses, by using innovative technology to connect them to their family, whãnau, friends and school.  I have supported one of their projects in the past, and I would be honored to support them again.

If you would like to find out more detail or discuss how you can help in other ways, then please feel free to get in touch directly.