Help Needed for DIY Neumann U87 Clone Project

[NorbertJovial]

Hi everyone,

This is actually my first time posting on an online forum!

I’ve recently developed an interest in building my own studio gear, and I’d like to start with a condenser microphone—time to put my electronics classes to good use. My goal is to build a Neumann U87 clone, so I’ve been researching different options and sourcing parts online.

The PCBs from vintagemicrophonepcbkit.com look really promising, but I’m not sure if the website is still active. I sent them an email a few weeks ago but never received a response.
I also found a mic body kit on Studio939, but I have the same concern—no response to my email, so I don’t know if they’re still in business.

I’ve seen many websites selling K87 capsules, but I’m unsure which one to choose, and the same goes for the BV13 transformer.

So, I have a few questions:

• Does anyone know if vintagemicrophonepcbkit.com still sells PCBs?
• Where can I find a reliable mic body kit?
• What exactly are Styroflex capacitors, and can they be replaced with an equivalent component?

If there’s anything else I should know before starting this project, I’d really appreciate any advice!

Thanks in advance!

 

[fsalter]

Salut NorbertJovial.
vintagemicrophonekits est bel et bien actif. Je viens de commander quelques pieces chez lui. Dany est un ami, je pourrais lui dire de t'écrire.
Ces kits sont supers. Pour ce qui est de Studio939, je pense qu'il a un probleme d'approvisionnement depuis quelques temps. Pour le boitier du 87, contacte Jenny de Ssyelectronics directement en chine. elle répond tres vite et ses prix sont bons. Je t'envoi son courriel en privé.
Tu peux remplacer les Styroflex par des ceramic MLCC, mais ca ne sera pas un clone du 87 qui lui utilise les Styros. Il faut faire attention quand tu soudes les styros, ils sont sensibles a la chaleur.
Capsule: Sans équivoque, celle de Arienne audio. La meilleure et la plus fidele repro de l'originale. https://store.arienneaudio.com/

 

[Khron]

Salut NorbertJovial.
vintagemicrophonekits est bel et bien actif. Je viens de commander quelques pieces chez lui.

While I'm sure the OP, as the rest of us, appreciate the friendly gesture, i believe the official language on this forum is still English...

 

[NorbertJovial]

Salut NorbertJovial.
vintagemicrophonekits est bel et bien actif. Je viens de commander quelques pieces chez lui. Dany est un ami, je pourrais lui dire de t'écrire.
Ces kits sont supers. Pour ce qui est de Studio939, je pense qu'il a un probleme d'approvisionnement depuis quelques temps. Pour le boitier du 87, contacte Jenny de Ssyelectronics directement en chine. elle répond tres vite et ses prix sont bons. Je t'envoi son courriel en privé.
Tu peux remplacer les Styroflex par des ceramic MLCC, mais ca ne sera pas un clone du 87 qui lui utilise les Styros. Il faut faire attention quand tu soudes les styros, ils sont sensibles a la chaleur.
Capsule: Sans équivoque, celle de Arienne audio. La meilleure et la plus fidele repro de l'originale. https://store.arienneaudio.com/

Merci beaucoup fsalter ! Thank you so much.

I'll do that and think about everything.
Continued in the next episode...

 

[micolas]

Hi @NorbertJovial ,
Welcome in GDIY!
Maybe it would be simpler and cheaper to start by modifying a second-hand microphone to get a U87-style sound, so that you become familiar with the domain-specific issues.
But first you should read some threads in the group which contain valuable information related to the topic.

 

[Barry Hufker]

The google translation of this conversation:

Hi NorbertJovial.vintagemicrophonekits is indeed active. I just ordered some parts from him. Dany is a friend, I could tell him to write to you.These kits are great. As for Studio939, I think he has had a supply problem for some time. For the 87 case, contact Jenny from Ssyelectronics directly in China. She answers very quickly and her prices are good. I'll send you her email privately.You can replace the Styroflex with ceramic MLCC, but it won't be a clone of the 87 which uses Styros. You have to be careful when soldering the styros, they are sensitive to heat.Capsule: Without a doubt, the one from Arienne audio. The best and most faithful reproduction of the original. https://store.arienneaudio.com/

The reply: Thank you very much.

 

[k brown]

Styroflex is just a brand name of polystyrene capcitors.

FWIW, many feel that current NPO/C0G caps sound just as good, but are lower in microphonics and are more practical for DIY builds as they are less likely to be damaged by the heat of soldering.

 

[NorbertJovial]

Hi all,

I really think to take an Arienne K87 capsule for this U87 project but I might have a question.

Can I have all the U87 polar patterns with this capsule? (Cardioid, omni and 8?) Do I have to choose "Normal" on their website or "Cardioid/Omni" to get the three polar patterns?

Thanks !

 

[micolas]

Hi all,

I really think to take an Arienne K87 capsule for this U87 project but I might have a question.

Can I have all the U87 polar patterns with this capsule? (Cardioid, omni and 8?) Do I have to choose "Normal" on their website or "Cardioid/Omni" to get the three polar patterns?

Thanks !

To have all the polar patterns working perfectly, the Normal version must be chosen.
If you choose Cardio/Omni , Figure 8 will still work but it won't be absolutely perfect, the null points will probably be off 90°

 

[NorbertJovial]

To have all the polar patterns working perfectly, the Normal version must be chosen.
If you choose Cardio/Omni , Figure 8 will still work but it won't be absolutely perfect, the null points will probably be off 90°

Okay thank you very much for your help micolas !

And I aslo wondered, is the Arienne UTM 0587 transformer good for this project ? It is in my budget and on the same website of the caspule so maybe a good option no ?

 

[Khron]

is the Arienne UTM 0587 transformer good for this project ? It is in my budget and on the same website of the caspule so maybe a good option no ?

Yes, although you may or may not want to see whether you can get a better price straight from the source..?

https://utmindustry.com/utm0587/

Although you would of course save on shipping costs, possibly...

 

[micolas]

Okay thank you very much for your help micolas !

And I aslo wondered, is the Arienne UTM 0587 transformer good for this project ? It is in my budget and on the same website of the caspule so maybe a good option no ?

Oh yes! UTM 0587
I tested them, they are very good,
Igor ( @igs ) did an excellent job!
You can get them quickly here in the EU where they are manufactured:
https://utindustry.com/utm0587
I received them in 2 days, from Poland to Romania, via FedEx, without taxes within the EU, I only paid 20 euros for shipping for a few transformers. And right now they have a price reduction.

 

[soliloqueen]

Yes, although you may or may not want to see whether you can get a better price straight from the source..?

https://utmindustry.com/utm0587/

Although you would of course save on shipping costs, possibly...

Yes, I primarily sell the UTM Transformers just for Americans. My pricing including shipping is about 10 bucks below his pricing including shipping to the US from Poland. If you are outside of the US you really shouldn't buy a UTM transformer from me. It only makes economical sense if you're american. Or perhaps from an area where Poland is equally far, like Canada. I also noticed some Australian people buying so the math might work out there too.

 

[NorbertJovial]

Yes, although you may or may not want to see whether you can get a better price straight from the source..?

https://utmindustry.com/utm0587/

Although you would of course save on shipping costs, possibly...

Thank you Khron, sounds to be a good plan. I'll do that !
Have you ever bought some mic bodies from Jenny from Ssyelectronics? I can't find a website and I have nothing to refer to to be sure of its reliability...

 

[soliloqueen]

Thank you Khron, sounds to be a good plan. I'll do that !
Have you ever bought some mic bodies from Jenny from Ssyelectronics? I can't find a website and I have nothing to refer to to be sure of its reliability...

Everyone has bought bodies from jenny. She's super reliable