Neumann U67 Clone : D-U67 Tube Microphone Build Thread.

[Spencerleehorton]

Hi Guys,

thought i'd post a link to a track i did to test the U67 on acoustic guitar and vocals.

https://soundcloud.com/spencer-lee-horton/snuff-acoustic-version-by

needs a bit more of a mix but i think you get the idea.

regards

Spence.

 

[tskguy]

Sounds very nice!!

Great job,
Eric

 

[Spencerleehorton]

Im really pleased with the clarity and detail compared to the C12 style mic i have.
The U67 only has a cheap capsule in there at the moment, but will probably plonk a RK-67 in there as i really like the microphone parts capsules for the price.
The thing i love about it is by using these diy mics i now only use subtracktive eq'ing
which i find simplifies the whole process, and its only normally the bottom end that needs adjusting.
whats everyones thoughts on these capsules
http://www.cathedralpipes.com/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=193

seems to cheap to be any good?

 

[Delta Sigma]

Spencer,

If you're trying to put a budget capsule in there check out the Chinese capsules that Ben & Veronica brought in to raise funds for their daughter's surgeries. They're $80 AUD and apparently high quality http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=50260.0 .

If you don't mind spending a little more check out tskguy's WM thread  http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=49859.0 . The RK-47 is $129 USD and tskguy's 67 capsule is $199 (I think). He's posted samples of his U67 build with his capsule somewhere on this thread.

-Neil

 

[wave]

Spencer,
The majority of the mic's sound is capsule related. I had a Chinese K67 in mine at first and as soon as I popped in Eric's HK-67 it was night and day. The mic went from "yeah that sounds good" to "OMG that sounds amazing!"
for the price difference between the RK-67 and the HK-67 (tskguy's K67 capsule) there is a huge sound difference. I think Eric is getting the capsule about as close to a real one as possible.
There's nothing wrong with microphone-parts capsules, especially at their price point (I used their RK87 in my first DU87) but for my money the $70 difference for the HK-67 is WAY worth it.

Dave

 

[micaddict]

If you're trying to put a budget capsule in there check out the Chinese capsules that Ben & Veronica brought in to raise funds for their daughter's surgeries. They're $80 AUD and apparently high quality http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=50260.0 .

Or go all the way and get the Beesneez K6 (K67) with authentic bronze alloy. Now on sale for 250 rather than 525 aussie dollars.
http://www.beesneezmicrophones.com.au/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=21

 

[Spencerleehorton]

All good stuff guys, appreciate all your wisdom.
will probably go for eriks HK-67.

regards

Spence.

 

[micaddict]

Oh, I forgot to add. Last time I checked (and ordered mine), it had free shipping for GroupDIY members to boot. 

 

[Spencerleehorton]

really free shipping!!! i doubt he'll do that for the UK?

regards

Spence.

 

[micaddict]

Well, I'm in The Netherlands. Not much difference in this respect.

 

[0dbfs]

So we've got the HK-67's, the RK's, and the K-6... Then there's probably the PK-67....  Choices / choices / choices... I've got a pair of Eric's HK's slated for DU67 #'s 1&2 but then I added a second pair to my build and wanted those to be slightly different just to have more choices...

You know, I've got several xyz-67's laying around in the boneyard from various doners... Think I'll start with those downtown and plan to move uptown a bit later...

Anyone used the K6's? Any comments?

Cheers,
jb

 

[micaddict]

OK, I went through the BeesNeez thread in the White Market section and found the quote in reply #37:

Hi shipping is free on capsules

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=49869.20

Do keep in mind this was right before the Phelicity fundraising Chinese capsules were offered. Those ("cheaper") capsules do come with shipping costs. If only for the good cause. 

 

[poctop]

the store will be open today only and then back Jan 7th 2013
Thanks all,
Dan,

 

[dmp]

I put in my Beezneez capsule this weekend and tried out the mic.
I do not have good hum suppression. If I move my hand near the mic I hear more hum, and only when I touch the body, the hum is completely gone - very quiet mic.
I have the cable wired as recommended, the shield of the XLRs in the power supply both connected to the case ground, and the ground jumper in the psu connected, as that reduces the hum considerably. I'm sure I am missing a connection somewhere. Any ideas?

Second, the fig8 and cardiod patterns are reversed. I must have a wrong connection up on the switch pcb.

How many people have working mics?

 

[dmp]

Whoops - the mic body I got from ChuckD has the pattern labels Omni - Fig8 - Cardiod, as shown on page 1 of this thread.
Schematic shows cardiod in the middle, which is how my mic performs???

 

[poctop]

trough the cable pin 3 ( cableshield ) is the shield either on mic pcb (3) or to psu starground with shield lift jumper , So one of those 2 point will do ,
for the switch all the pins needs to be soldered for proper ground to mic body verify that body switch is short with the mic body , and to psu ,
it really look like something is loooping or not grounded at all and pickup everyRF possible ,


Hope this helps,
Dan ,

 

[dmp]

trough the cable pin 3 ( cableshield ) is the shield either on mic pcb (3) or to psu starground with shield lift jumper , So one of those 2 point will do ,
for the switch all the pins needs to be soldered for proper ground to mic body verify that body switch is short with the mic body , and to psu ,
it really look like something is loooping or not grounded at all and pickup everyRF possible ,

Not sure I understand all this but I'll do some more testing tonight.
The switch pcb grounds through the screws attaching it to the body, yes?

 

[poctop]

trough the cable pin 3 ( cableshield ) is the shield either on mic pcb (3) or to psu starground with shield lift jumper , So one of those 2 point will do ,
for the switch all the pins needs to be soldered for proper ground to mic body verify that body switch is short with the mic body , and to psu ,
it really look like something is loooping or not grounded at all and pickup everyRF possible ,

Not sure I understand all this but I'll do some more testing tonight.
The switch pcb grounds through the screws attaching it to the body, yes?

Yes ,  Keep us posted,  make sure you check continuity trough mic body and psu star ground ,

Dan, you are so near ,
Best,

 

[dmp]

And cardiod has to be the middle position, yeah?
ChuckD's bodies were wrong! 

 

[poctop]

And cardiod has to be the middle position, yeah?
ChuckD's bodies were wrong! 

Yepper,  Chuck's body were protoversion , Newer body are now corrected for this, 
middle = cardiod left is omni and right fig8

Best,
Dan,