Cheap mic upgrade

[Pleasurehead]

Hello,
I was thumbing through my Studio Spares catalogue late last night and I saw they have their own cheap mic for sale. I noticed that the shape of this mic was the same as a U87 and
wondered how feasable it would be to buy it and replace whatever components needed to get close to it (probably everything lol) does anyone
have any thoughts on this ?

 

[Pleasurehead]

I'm talking complete nonsence then yeah?

 

[pasarski]

Im not the most qualified person to answer cause Im just planning my first mic build (damn, I cant use this PT keyboard), but I can say that a microphone is a complicated creature!

Even though the mic youre referring kind of resembles U87 it head basket looks and probably is different than U87s. That has a big influence on sound.

And the capsule. Even bigger. The cheap Chinese capsules in these cheap mics dont come near Neumann K87. And U87 is multi pattern mic. You dont achieve that with a single membrane capsule. If its a K67 copy, it could be reasonably close to K87 sound in cardioiod though, but in a mic this cheap, it could be a electret condenser capsule, which probaly is nothing like K87.

Electronics in a mic this cheap could be ok, or then not. You could probably improve them buy replacing some capacitors, but theres a but. K87 and K67 type capsules have a high frequency boost that is compensated in the circuits of mics like U67 and U87, by applying negative feedback and other gimmicks. These cheap Chinese mics dont have that kind of electronics, so to get near U87 sound, youd have to build completely new electronics.

There are other things also affecting the sound I didnt mention. Considering all this, yes you could upgrade that mic to sound a little like U87 but it would not be a easy task. Easier to save couple of grands and buy a real thing. But if youre just for the thrill of building things, examine U87 schematic and go for it.

 

[Pleasurehead]

lol. **** that I'll buy one! Thanks for
taking the time to explain I appreciate it very much

 

[Kingston]

That mic is a body donor only.

PS. You have to change everything, including the headbasket to copy a U87.

What we call a fools errand.

 

[rodabod]

You could buy a mic built by 797-Audio like those from Studio Projects. Mod if too bright. Or get an Oktava which I like as-is.

Or get a great dynamic like an M88, SM7, MD441 or a Beyer M160 ribbon.