Neumann Vintage U87 Clone : Build Thread.

[Pip]

Hey guys,

I was referred to this thread to ask you guys one simple question and I want you guys to be brutally honest.

How does your DIY U87's compare to (I know this is after the vintage model) the U87ai? S/n ratio, headroom, and sonically?

I was about to purchase a U87ai with a Jim William mod on it (just a few component replacements, not a big mod) but was then referred to Klaus Heyne but his mod is just out of my budget at the given time. But then was also referred to the DIY route. I'm all open to options, and am curious to see how these do stackup against an actual Neumann. Thanks in avance guys.

Sorry where are my manors I didn't see it was your first post! Welcome!!!

First a correction this is the earlier version the U87Ai is the newer design.


If you read the thread there is a lot of info. But in short granted this is my opinion. First let me qualify I own a U87i and have built this clone which is of the U87i. This clone sounds really good when compared to the U87i. To compare it to a U87Ai is impossible as it is a totally different mic. It (the U87Ai) has a voltage multiplier circuit in it that changes the capsule polarization voltage much higher so thus changing the total sonic signature of the mic.

If what your asking is how does a U87i sound against a U87Ai I will share my totally biased as it's my opinion. I personally can't stand the U87Ai but love the U87i. But different strokes for different folks. The U87i has about 10db less output of the U87Ai it does however have a more musical sound and is warmer and more inviting as a vocal mic. On guitar amps it is the hands down winner as the U87Ai just becomes harsh. Also each mic is chosen for its purpose as there is no one mic does it all, again IMHO.

The headroom question is one I can't answer as they both seem to take a lot of input before faultering. I cannot remember ever having a problem with either one. If I was a betting guy I would say the U87Ai would win here as the higher capsule voltage would aid this issue.

My suggestion is build it add it to your collection it is a good mic.

 

[Le Roux]

I don't have an extra poctops switch board as used in Chungers build guide.
The only difference I can see is maybe grounding.

Can the original switch board from Chucks bodies be used without issues?

Thanks
Neil

 

[poctop]

I don't have an extra poctops switch board as used in Chungers build guide.
The only difference I can see is maybe grounding.

Can the original switch board from Chucks bodies be used without issues?

Thanks
Neil

Are the Chuck Bodies original switch pcb is the one i did at the time, if not i can supply you with an extra switch board with your next shipment if you need it.
there is just been one release of the switchboard so if it is the one i did it shall be correct grounding,

Let me know,
Best.
Dan,

 

[Le Roux]

The board came with Chucks bodies. And the bodies are the ones with the backwards cardioid and figure 8 symbols.
The board looks very similar to the one I got from you as part of the u67 kit except the grounding plane seems to be missing.

Thanks
Neil

 

[poctop]

The board came with Chucks bodies. And the bodies are the ones with the backwards cardioid and figure 8 symbols.
The board looks very similar to the one I got from you as part of the u67 kit except the grounding plane seems to be missing.

Thanks
Neil

could you take a quick pic off the pcb i could tell you right away,
Best,
Dan,

 

[Le Roux]

Pic

 

[dmp]

I used the board that came with chuckD's body and the ground is missing. They cannot be used without fixing the ground.
When you touch the switches they cause the mic to hum loudly. I soldered wire to all the switches and to a connection to the body, which fixed the problem.
But if you are in process of building the mic, I would suggest getting a correct board from poctop.

 

[poctop]

Pic

this PCB does not seem to be mine , if my initial is not on it then definitively not ,
i just dont recall this layout has it does not have a ground plane for the switch enclosure on it ,
let me know at your next order i will provide you with the correct pcb if you still need it ,
Best,
Dan,

 

[micaddict]

Since I'm more into tube mics,I hadn't visited this thread since early April. But I now see there has been some talk about various Behringer B-2 Pro bodies. Thanks for the contributions and pictures regarding those.

Perhaps a little late, but here's a thread I started a while ago. FWIW.
http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=50197.0

 

[LG]

Hi

Does anyone know it there is a Lundahl transformer available, which will suit this project? I'm still in the stage af shopping around for the right parts, and will be doing the build in a behringer b2 pro body....

All the best, Leifur

 

[Pip]

Hi

Does anyone know it there is a Lundahl transformer available, which will suit this project? I'm still in the stage af shopping around for the right parts, and will be doing the build in a behringer b2 pro body....

All the best, Leifur

First off welcome to one of the coolest places I know of.

Make sure you get the right B2 PRO. If you are in USA good luck. It is Europe where the good ones are as far as I can tell. Check my posts on the subject:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=48030.msg662688#msg662688, http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=48030.msg662903#msg662903 etc...

Also micaddict:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=50197.0

Why Lundahl? I don't think they have a real 1:10 transformer that works for this build. AMI's really is one of the best at a good price.

 

[LG]

I'm in denmark so i guess it's the right type of b2.... (or i hope, still waiting for it to arrive). The lundahl seems to be the only brand available here as i know, and i guess it not as pricey as in the states since it's Sweedish, but i'm looking around, found some cinemag 2480 in the uk. (it's realy a pain in the *** importing from usa becaus of taxes   ) Dose anyone know a eu supplier for the ami?

 

[poctop]

I'm in denmark so i guess it's the right type of b2.... (or i hope, still waiting for it to arrive). The lundahl seems to be the only brand available here as i know, and i guess it not as pricey as in the states since it's Sweedish, but i'm looking around, found some cinemag 2480 in the uk. (it's realy a pain in the *** importing from usa becaus of taxes   ) Dose anyone know a eu supplier for the ami?

I beleive if you go on the AMI site they have a distributor in Hamburg,
hope this helps,
Dan,

 

[kante1603]

I beleive if you go on the AMI site they have a distributor in Hamburg,
hope this helps,
Dan,

Yes,I have been to Hamburg a month ago or so and found their shop by accident.I asked them if they have some T13s left and they confirmed that.
When I ordered mine I talked to a guy named Michael Bucur,he was so kind to help me with the transformers,a very friendly guy.

Here's a link to the shop:

http://digitalaudioservice.com/kontakt?___store=english

Hope to have helped,

Best regards,

Udo.

 

[burglar]

Hi Folks,

I've still got some concerns with the noise floor of my mic.  Some examples can be heard here: http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=48030.1820

I have one ground point soldered from ground link to the rail and grounding checks out on the DMM.  I didn't use latex gloves when installing the capsule.  Is it possible some dirt round the edge of the capsule is causing the noise?  I'd be interested to hear other interpritations of the noise in the sound clips. 

Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[sr1200]

Im not really hearing any noise problems on those examples that i found on that link.  Id be more willing to bet the "noise" is coming from the mackie onyx pre and your converter than the mic itself.  Sounds pretty clear to me. (we're talking about the 4" and 8" from grille test, yes?)

 

[burglar]

Hiya,

Yes, it's the 4" and 8" tests.  I also posted a vocal from a recording session a few posts down from those spoken word samples which was recorded into a sound skulptor MP73 and the onyx doing the conversion. 

Don't get me wrong.  It's managable.  But it's much noisier than my other (more modern) mics (same signal path) and by the time vocals have been compressed, possibly parallelled + the mastering compression / limiting.  That noise is quite noticable. 

I guess I just wanted to know if it was any noisier than other peoples builds so I can source the problem, or whether it's just down to the lower output nature of the mic? 

Thanks for your reply. 

 

[poctop]

At normal operating Level i can reach easilly -62db when the mic is in the studio and the door closed , so there is probably something going wrong.... i did not heard your sample yet but as soon as i have some time i will and report back ,
Best,
Dan,

 

[burglar]

Thanks Dan,

I am pretty sure there is something not right.  Will wait to see what you think. 

 

[burglar]

Here are the clips.

https://soundcloud.com/sdosuk/87-test-4-0001-audio-snare-2/s-wzm0N?in=sdosuk/sets/87-sound-tests/s-wzm0N  4" from grill

https://soundcloud.com/sdosuk/87-test-8-0001-audio-snare-2/s-wzm0N?in=sdosuk/sets/87-sound-tests/s-wzm0N  8" from grill

https://soundcloud.com/sdosuk/oli-vocal-u87/s-CpdVY - Vocal session - sound skulptor mp73 pre.  Unfortunately, guitar amp on in background but can still hear mic noise floor.