Opinions on 3U Audio M7 and Maiku M7

[Recording Engineer]

Yep, Ivan at Flea is great! In 2015 I bought a pair of F47 backplates and had Allen Luke at Luke Audio for some M49b-inspired mics. Just this year, I bought an F9 capsule to play with as an option on my Luke Audio Y56 and a pair of F9 backplates that Allen is skinning now.

 

[negaikast]

Yep, Ivan at Flea is great! In 2015 I bought a pair of F47 backplates and had Allen Luke at Luke Audio for some M49b-inspired mics. Just this year, I bought an F9 capsule to play with as an option on my Luke Audio Y56 and a pair of F9 backplates that Allen is skinning now.

What are your thoughts on the Luke Audio capsules? I was intrigued about their 1 micron Mylar. How does it compare to the other well respected capsules?

 

[guitarheadhunt]

Thank you. That helps a lot! This will go into my Miktek CV4 with EF800 and BV8 style transformer.

I took the capsule out of a warm audio wa47jr and put it in my cv4. I like the results better than what the stock capsule brought me. I put the cv4 stock capsule in the wa47jr. Oddly enough it sounds pretty good in that mic. Not sure what Kind of capsule the 47jr had. Some say it's form 3U. Not 100% on that. A lot of speculation .

 

[guitarheadhunt]

Some reason it double posted on me.

 

[McIrish]

I took the capsule out of a warm audio wa47jr and put it in my cv4. I like the results better than what the stock capsule brought me. I put the cv4 stock capsule in the wa47jr. Oddly enough it sounds pretty good in that mic. Not sure what Kind of capsule the 47jr had. Some say it's form 3U. Not 100% on that. A lot of speculation .

I have a CV4. I found the original capsule to be horrible. Very harsh. I swapped it for a Beesneez K7. It turned a bad sounding (but well built) mic into something really great. It's used in nearly every vocal session.

 

[negaikast]

I have a CV4. I found the original capsule to be horrible. Very harsh. I swapped it for a Beesneez K7. It turned a bad sounding (but well built) mic into something really great. It's used in nearly every vocal session.

Thanks. How easy/difficult was it to install the capsule? Any issues? Did you end up reusing the same mount?

 

[McIrish]

I had to drill two holes in the top plate so I could use the mount the K7 came on. The plate is easily removed with four screws. It was simple. I just took a few pictures so I knew how it should look when I reassembled it.

 

[negaikast]

I had to drill two holes in the top plate so I could use the mount the K7 came on. The plate is easily removed with four screws. It was simple. I just took a few pictures so I knew how it should look when I reassembled it.

Thank you. I'm pretty sure you had posted before and after sound clips but I can't seem to locate them.

Could you be so kind as to point me in the right direction?

 

[McIrish]

I don't have the sound clips available anymore. I'd need to dig through archives to find where they are. That was many projects ago so I will have to look. I can't say when or if I will find them but the next time I get free time, I will check a few archive drives for it.

 

[samic]

Does anyone know what the max membrane bias voltage of the M7 3U audio capsule is?

 

[Khron]

May well depend on what sort of SPLs you plan / expect to expose it to..?

 

[McIrish]

60v is pretty much a standard starting point. Why not start there?

 

[samic]

60v is pretty much a standard starting point. Why not start there?

I'm trying to gain some sensitivity mv
I tried for a whole day at 76v but I received a response this morning from 3u which advises 60 to 70v max

 

[Nen'O]

Hey,
to my ears 3U audio M7 is miles ahead of Maiku K47 capsule.
I own both capsule in tube mics, M7 is the best available capsule I came across.

Here is sample I post while ago.

https://groupdiy.com/threads/aliexpress-m7-capsule.82945/post-1098676

 

[innercityman]

MAIKU K47 sounds really nice. I've used it in 3 EF-47 buillds. The problem with MAIKU is that their capsules are often out of stock, and they are not very reactive. I've sent them a mail 2 weeks ago, still no answer.

 

[JW]

In general, I prefer the M7 type capsules. The three I have experience with are an old Geffel, I sold years ago, the Theirsh blue line, and the 3U. Between the last two, I currently have the 3U in my 47 knock off. The Theirsh I'll probably put in one of the M49 clones I'm working on. I like the 3U's mids and highs. They seem smoother than the Theirsh blue line, but i like the low mids and lows of the Theirsch. They seem to bloom in that really cool way. Wish I had a combo of the two. Just my subjective impression.

 

[JeffKall]

I have 3U M7’s in my D-EF47’s from Dan … and I have MAIKU K12’s in my Matador/Chunger C12’s …

I love those combinations !

While they may not be Neumann M7’s or even K47’s … the D-EF47’s with the 3U’s deliver a nice balanced sound reminiscent of the vintage 47’s I worked with years ago …

If you are looking for midrange M7’s … 3U is a great choice …

I have Ben’s bargain K-67 capsules in my D-67’s from Dan … and love them, too …

Naturally … it is all very subjective but 3U, Beesneez and MAIKU do a very credible job in their price range … as does Ari with her Flat K47’s and K87’s …

As @Purplenoise so succinctly pointed out … the bottom line is that all microphones are a “synergy of parts” … and as I believe ultimately subject to the taste of the ears of their beholders !!!

For each of us who “build our own” and “tweak to taste” … we should be grateful for all those various artisans building a wide variety of component options at all the various price points that enable us to pursue our passion for music and recording …

The satisfaction is truly in the journey !!!