DIY microphone kits & parts

[mparts]

New product: "U87 EQ" circuit mod kits for Studio Projects C1 and C3.

More info here.

Schoeps-circuit PCB kits

We've taken everything we've learned about optimizing the Schoeps circuit over the past 2 years and baked it into a pair of high-quality PCBs. The kit comes complete with all necessary components, including hard-to-find Hitachi output transistors and a pre-biased Siliconix J305 JFET. The boards fit most low-cost condensers, including MCA SP-1, MXL 910, MXL 2006, MXL V250, MXL V63M, CAD GXL2200, MXL 2001, MXL V67G, and even many of the cheap "karoke" mics on Ebay.

For MXL 990, 990XL:
http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/990a-retrofit-pcb-kit/

For all other mics:
http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/mp-v57-pcb-kit/

Tube mic DIY mod kits for Apex 460, Carvin CTM100
Build a high-sensitivity CCDA circuit with ElaM/C12 or U47 tone. We figured out how to do this without requiring that you spend $100-$250 on a transformer, making this a very affordable way to build a high-end tube mic:
here: http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/apex-460-mods/

Jim Williams mods for FET mics

CAD GXL2200: http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/cad-gxl2200-upgrades/
MCA SP1: http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/mca-sp1-mod/
Monoprice 600800: http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/monoprice-600800-mods/
MXL 770: http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/mxl-770-mods/
MXL 990: http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/mxl-990-upgrades/
Nady SCM800: http://microphone-parts.com/mod-kits/nady-scm800-upgrades/

K87 capsule for D-U87

Our RK-87 is a true dual-backplate K67/K87 with insulated backplates and 4 wires. It works beautifully with poctop's D-87L and D-87T PCBs, and will work in figure-8 mode (unlike some other capsules that are claimed to be compatible). Each capsule includes two different mounts and all the necessary screws and wires.
http://microphone-parts.com/rk87-microphone-capsule/

Two K47 capsules for D-U47FET

We have two K47 capsules available for poctop's Fet 47 PCB set:

The RK-47 is a 3-micron, 34mm true K47 (single backplate) design. The RK7 is a 6-micron, 32mm K47/M7 hybrid -- it has the outside diameter of the M7 (32mm) but the screwed-on clamping rings like the K47. The RK7 is darker in tone, with more proximity effect than the RK-47.

Each capsule includes a mount, as well as screws and termination wires, and documentation for the install process.

Also, if your screwdriver slips and you run through the diaphragm, we can set you up with a replacement at half price -- it's our DIY guarantee.

Read more about the RK7 and RK-47.

Here you can listen to an audio sample of the RK-47 vs. a Neumann Fet 47 on male voice:
http://microphone-parts.com/audio-samples/

Ribbon microphone output transformers

We stock the Samar Audio RT-32 and RT-36 output transformers for common imported ribbon mics, such as the Fathead, plus various Apex and Nady models.

http://microphone-parts.com/transformers/

 

[WNStudios]

Patience really does pay off sometimes. Never really wanted to buy a 87 style mic with the proper switches just to scrap everything for the body. I also did now want one without all the switches. And here you come and save the day by announcing you'll have body kits availible soon, just awesome
I'm also very happy with the RK-47 i put in my mic so the RK-87 seems like a good bet

 

[spase]

"and two more things we're not prepared to talk about yet "
One of those things need to be a good and cheap u47 body's )

 

[kml23956]

I want to know more about the U87 bodies.

 

[mparts]

We'll have more news about the U87 bodies in mid-August. They will not be identical to the Neumann; ours are 5mm shorter and 5mm narrower at the headbasket. But they do have all 3 switches, room for Dan's PCBs, and a housing for the transformer. We will have shockmounts available, too.

 

[burglar]

Are the bodies going to be closer in shape and appearance than the likes of the B-2 or 2010? 

 

[Winetree]

I've read these capsules are better replacements for the stock Chinese ones,
but would the RK-87 be a good or equal replacement  for an orginal Neumann capsule
in a vintage U-87 ( battery model )with aging capsules?
I know you get what you pay for so don't blast me.
Just looking for alternatives.

 

[mparts]

would the RK-87 be a good or equal replacement  for an orginal Neumann capsule
in a vintage U-87 ( battery model )with aging capsules?

The answer depends on your budget and your audio preferences. You could have your capsule(s) reskinned by someone reputable for a few hundred dollars, but the result would not sound identical to what you have today. You could buy replacement capsules from Neumann for about $700 (IIRC) apiece, although some say current-production capsules don't stand up to the handmade ones that came with your mic. Or, you can buy aftermarket copies for anywhere from $109 and up.

I heard the RK-87 against the Peluso and the Neumann capsule in Dan Bouchard's U87 build, and preferred the RK-87. That was a single-source test, though. On another source, maybe another capsule would have been better. That's the best justification for having lots of different mics around, though, isn't it?

I have audio samples of the RK-47 in a transformer-coupled FET circuit, compared to a Fet 47. On that source (male VO), the difference is really subtle, certainly not worth $600, not to me anyway. But everyone makes up their own mind about what they hear and where to allocate their studio budgets.

 

[Marcocet]

Any word on those U87 bodies? There appears to be a group buy starting to happen in the microphone forum as well, but I wouldn't want to have to pick one or the other without getting at least a few details. Thanks for anything you can tell us.

 

[JamesW]

Do you sell your saddles separately

 

[iprovlek]

Guys!

I bought RK-12 capsule for my Elam250,and all i can say its very good capsule!

I built G7 with Peluso CK-12, and swap capsules and try lots of combination testing, and RK12 always win!

In oposite with Peluso CK12,RK12 has more stable sound,better in lows and mids, more 3D than Peluso capsule,good behave in mix than Peluso!

But this is only my subjective opinion!

And Kevin is great guy always in good mood for answering....

 

[canidoit]

mparts, is your u87 clone body look the same as a real u87. Same grill mesh size, layers, head shape and thickness? Same body size and shape? Same quality or better?

What will be th differences between your u87 body clone against a real u87??

When do you think your u87 mic body will be released and what will be the cost??

Thanks

 

[atticmike]

Yeah, I'm curious as well as to when the bodies will be available?

also, why did you choose 3 micron for the RK-87?

 

[mparts]

Apologies for the delayed responses here.

We had a false start on the bodies, but will be introducing them later this week. To be totally transparent, we did not design something new for this, nor clone the original hardware -- rather, we sourced an existing body that was as close to the U87 as we could find. It offers the 3 needed switches (pad, filter, 3-way pattern) and fits Dan's U87 PCB. We'll sell it with a choice of capsule, or with no capsule at all. The body is finished in matte silver, with no brand nor logo. A shockmount is included.

We will have photos and pricing information online within a few days.

Quantities will be limited, and it is unlikely we'll have more after this run.

 

[dinesh]

Hi,

Do you ship to India? I am looking for u87 Mic body kit with Capsule.

Regards
Dinesh

 

[mparts]

Hi,

Do you ship to India? I am looking for u87 Mic body kit with Capsule.

Regards
Dinesh

We've just added an international shipping option for the body kits.
http://microphone-parts.com/u87-body-kit/

 

[kaguenpituak]

Which is the difference between the K67LE and RK-67? And sonic difference? Thanks
Alberto

 

[mparts]

Which is the difference between the K67LE and RK-67? And sonic difference? Thanks

The LE is a bit leaner around 5kHz. That's not much to go on, I realize! We have a full suite of sonic comparisons in the works, which we'll post as soon as we can.

 

[Steph.B]

Hello,

The capsule is not provided with the cable leads ?

 

[mparts]

Hello,

The capsule is not provided with the cable leads ?

We do provide wires for the LE capsule. They didn't make it into the photo. Sorry for the confusion.