U87 clone question

[d.d.sound]

Hello, i'm new here.
I built my first clone and sound pretty good for me. But, the output is about 10 dB lower than my Neumann tlm 103. Is it normal???
The AMI trsformatore is properly connected and i don't solder the 10dB pad.
there is no way to increase the output level? Maybe i should bypass L1 L2??
Best regard
Daniele

 

[Pip]

Welcome. First you should consult the build thread here:

http://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=48030.0

But that is about right on. The U87i not to be confused with the U87Ai is about 10db down compared with more modern mics. The U87Ai for example has a dc to dc coverter in it to bring phantom up to 60 volts to increase capsule polarization resulting in a hotter different sounding mic than the U87i.

More here:

http://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=53874.0

As I have said many times here on the forum IMHO the U87i is a much more musical mic than the U87Ai. I also prefer it to the TLM 103 of which I own 2.

 

[d.d.sound]

thanks! And Sorry for the stupid question.  ;D

 

[micaddict]

I built my first clone and sound pretty good for me. But, the output is about 10 dB lower than my Neumann tlm 103. Is it normal???

Absolutely.

Also, although there's no accounting for taste, the general consensus is that the U87i sounds better than the U87ai which sounds better than the TLM103.

Welcome BTW.

Oh, and there are no stupid questions; only stupid answers, possibly. 


Henk