DIY microphone : S-87 Kit from Microphone-parts.com

DIY microphone : S-87 Kit from Microphone-parts.com
After building a T47 and T12 I thought it would be great to have a U-87 inspired mic in my arsenal.
So here is a video of the complete build.
Comparaison comming soon !
The best place for DIY mic kits : microphone-parts.com/

[@rickisabelle4314]

Thank you for creating this video. It's extremely well done and very helpful. I'm grateful for your help.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Thanks for the good words

[@shawnmelody8346]

very cool! i'm gonna need to try this some day!

[@MarcoPrimeau]

If you are able to solder, I recommand it. You get a great mic, the pride of using something you built and save money ! ;)

[@theserverroomshow4601]

great video

[@raymota4515]

Mic Parts ROCKS!

[@troeteimarsch]

very interesting! the price is a steal compared to the soundquality. thank you ;)

[@MarcoPrimeau]

You also get the pride of using something you built.. ;)

[@CoquiAudio]

in my opinion is a bit expensive, but the thing is that you are building it the way you want it plus I see good quality parts there and having support from the website is another plus too

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Yes, for a knowlegeable person who can create his own circuit and order parts seperatly, it's more expensive. But Micparts is the best choice for someone like me who don't know much about electronics but still wants a great sounding mic at a fraction of a price and be proud of doing in myself !. ;)

[@CoquiAudio]

@@MarcoPrimeau me that I design audio amplifier PCB's this will be much fun to do 😊

[@MrRabbitmusic]

I just finished my building of a S87 and I'm really impressed by the sound quality. I compared it to my AT4033a (390€ in Germany) and the S87 is definitly a class upper. Ok it was more expensive too ;-) What do you think about the S87 compared to the other variants from MicParts? Regards

[@MarcoPrimeau]

The S series are clean mics and they have a lot of gain compared to others on the market. The RK87 capsule deliver everything you'd expect, it make a great vocal mic and work good on a lot of sources. The T series are mics with more mojo due to the transformer in the signal path and you also have the tube mics in the upper price range.. Matt McGlynn the owner is also the founder of Roswell Pro Audio. I don't know anyone who knows that much about mics and how to build them.. ;)

[@subramaniamchandrasekar1397]

Great build. What is that PCB holding device you are using? Looks nice and useful. Regards.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I had a blast using it for the first time. Inexpensive and very well built. it's called : Aven 17010 Adjustable Circuit Board Holder.

[@davidsillars3181]

Great vid. I saw a u47 clone from a French company, 700 euro. Looks good.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

MicParts kit aren't clones per say.. They are inspired of and compared to, just to help us decide which might fill our need. The design isn't at all the same, but it is tuned to have a similar sound... ;)

[@justindavidson6917]

Right, not clones but inspired. The Mic from Mic parts and Roswell pro audio get their name from the capsule type they use. Such as the U 47 uses the U 47 capsule

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@justindavidson6917 RK47 ;)

[@davidrourkemusic]

How’s the mount that comes with it? Is a shockmount necessary to purchase separately?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

When I ordered it there was a standard shockmount included and a screw on clip. but you can order better ones as options..

[@andivax]

I have ordered mine with rycotte holder. I like it. Just don't fit to fat mic body's like u47.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@andivax Rycotte has 2 models right ? I think their big one should fit bigger mics..

[@annetilburg]

I make this microphone last week and its amazing, i can't wait to use it for VO en vocals! I watch a lot of video's including this one before i made my decision! Because of your video i bought a pcb holder! 1 question: Wich capacitor you put on c14 if i may ask? Grtz from the Netherlands!

[@annetilburg]

And did you forget to connect the two backplates together? Like this: microphone-parts.com/pages/rk87-capsule-installation-instructions

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@annetilburg Humm.. I'll check that tonight.. They don't say anything about this in the manual of the mic. So far this is the best mic I have for VO with my voice.. I recorded a lady last week (signing) the low end was so warm (her voice has a lot of low end..) A great mic !!

[@annetilburg]

​@@MarcoPrimeau Thats true, but it necessary for the capsule to connect the 2 backplates, i think you only need to do this for omnidirectional! I really like it, but my microphone is also very harsh in the top, thats why i am curious wich capacitor you used on c14 :). Thank you for responding, keep up the good work!

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@annetilburg They say for more HF attenuation use .015uF-0.045uF.. I used the 0.015uF that was included. I too thought the default was a bit to bright, specially since I also have a T12 which is ment to be brighter and I didn't want both mic sounding the same..

[@annetilburg]

@@MarcoPrimeau Ok interesting! I use the 0.01-250. Maybe i have to swap them! Thank you so much!

[@valen.singer]

Great video, thanks! Sorry for the weird question, this mic "S-87 Microphone Kit" has 48 volt phantom power, right?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

It needs 48v to work but the power isn't generated in the design. The preamp must have phantom power.. That's the nature of condenser microphones, the power is needed to polarise the capsule.

[@valen.singer]

@@MarcoPrimeau Marco, thanks for your reply. For me, yesterday the master assembled S-87 Microphone Kit. He successfully started working. But there was another question that I told Matt about, but he has not yet answered me. And I decided to ask you. I noticed that after assembly in your video you did not check the voltage between the case and the R12 resistor. But it is written about such a check in the instructions. After assembling the my MIC at the first measurement, the counter showed 66 V! I did about 15 turns of the R8 counterclockwise, but the voltage dropped only to 61 V. Then R8 began to turn with a click and thevoltage does not fall below 61V. Is this normal? What to do? Do I need to look for a way to lower this voltage to 60V?

[@valen.singer]

Matt told me that 61B is fine. I write about it here, suddenly it will also be useful to someone from your viewers. It's just embarrassing that the assembly manual clearly suggests lowering it to 60V. Perhaps this is relevant if there are two identical microphones at once and the user plans to use them as a stereo pair, then setting the same voltage in both will be correct. What do you think?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@valen.singer That's what I thought, 1 volt ain't going to make that much of a difference. The mic just need enough power to polorise the capsule correctly, variations are to be expected.. Althought some resistor values may be changed to allow the adjustment to go above and below.. What counts is that you are not far from 60v. How about the sound quality ? Does it sound good to your ears ?

[@valen.singer]

@@MarcoPrimeau Yes, I am satisfied with the sound of the S-87 Microphone Kit (I have the frequency response set to 0 - the capacitor is 470). Today I recorded a new RNB song in it. Although I sing and operatic style. I recorded a lot with AKG С4000b and Rode NTK (I have female vocals, soprano). These mics are generally good too, but there was an overtone (a little ringing) everywhere at ~11KHZ. On the S-87 this section sounds a little softer and there is a good overall openness of the sound, the vocals "breathe" well even without significant Maag EQ processing.. Unfortunately, I can't compare how my voice would have sounded in the original Neumann 87 :-), but , in general, the S-87 lived up to my expectations. But I need some more time to record different songs in the S-87 to experience the full feeling of it.

[@andivax]

Hi Marco! I just built my S-87 )

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Fantastic, did you get time to use it ? how is it so far ? I have many mics but one thing that surprised me first is the S-87 output !! wow. ;)

[@andivax]

@@MarcoPrimeau Yes it is 15 dB hotter than real U87. I have some weird distortions on loud signal on mids (mailed Matt already and waiting for his answer). Distortion disappears only in Cardioid mode. ALready recorded a demo vocals in S-87 and it sounds good. Very different from my workhorse Simple Way MicOne (RK-12 capsule). I am planning to try different capsule in S-87. Thinking of Maiku or Dachman Audio. Did you have an experience with non-chineese capsules (Microphone Parts use selected chinese capsules)?

[@annetilburg]

@@andivax I have the same problem on loud sources, if you have the solution i would love to hear that!

[@scottriley937]

I ordered this one. Did you go with the flat EQ or high roll off capacitors? I'm unsure how I should build it yet. Thanks!

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I went with the flat config since I already had a T47 which is thamed on HF.. Great mic, hard to beat for the price and for the pride of having built it :)

[@scottriley937]

@@MarcoPrimeau thanks for the info. I might tame the HF since this is my first build. I like warm vocals :)

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@scottriley937 Great !! Althought I should say the HF of the flat config isn't overbering and neither harsh like cheap LDC..

[@scottriley937]

@@MarcoPrimeau well now I'm not sure what I want to do lol. I just want it to sound as close to a U87 as possible. Nice and warm but full.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@scottriley937That would be the flat config I guess. When you get it, you'll receive an incredibly well made manual which includes Frequency response of the 2 config.. you'll have a better idea then what to do ;)

[@garyshirinian]

It looks and sounds good. In actual recording does it sounds like U87 or TLM103. Also is it transparent when you EQ, or it gets harsh. Thx. People have made comparison with U87, I've tried and it didn't sound the same like the real good microphone like Neumanns Also other good microphone. Hope you can make and give a honest answer. Thx .

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I'm always honest and tell it like it is. Does it sound like a U87 ? I can't say because I don't have a U87 to compare it to. What I know is it sounds very good with many voices. U87 didn't sound all the same over the years. Anyway to me having a perfect clone wasn't at all a goal. Micparts do not advertise as clones but as very good mics only inspired by the classics. To me the S87, T12 and T47 are 3 very different mics that make good starting point to any recording. The S87 need less gain which means less noises for those with entry level preamps. And Yes it takes EQ very well. You say you tried it, which mic the s87 ?

[@garyshirinian]

@@MarcoPrimeau thx for replying with great explanation. I might get S87 kit because I have warm audio WA47 and it sounds good also have the older AKG C414. I'd like to add a 87 sound to my collection as well. no one got back to me with clear answer. thx again. In the Future will be my move.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@garyshirinian I'm glad I could help. If you do get the S87, give me some feedback. I'd like to know if it works good for you.

[@garyshirinian]

@@MarcoPrimeau absolutely.

[@andivax]

I finished building my S-87 a couple days ago and already test it on bright male's voice. EQing is very good, I have used 470 pf capacitor (so highs is almost intact). Bear in mind that S-87 uses Schoeps scematics, not Neumann. It has 15 dB louder gain than u87. It has less noise and better sensivity. In the near future I will test it against couple U87's and 103. So subscribe on my channel lol. Also I already have video comparison between u87 and Warm Audio 87 mk2 which is pretty good mic.

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

Salut Marco. Après 3 ans que penses tu de ton S87?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Pour le prix des pièces, ce micro se compare à des micros du double du prix.. Il est vraiment extra. Je l'utilise surtout pour les voix avec un UA LA-610 ou mon Focusrite ISA 220. C'est mon go to et j'ai rarement une voix qui a besoin d'un différent micro. En plus j'ai la fierté de l'avoir bâtit et au moment de l'achat du kit l'échange USD était plus avantageuse.. J'adore les Kits de Micparts !

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

@@MarcoPrimeau J'hésite en ça et un AT4040. J'crois aller vers le AT4040 histoire de boycotter les USA qui fournissent des bombes aux Israéliens. Merci.

[@rockhard2654]

you have got that montreal voice

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I'll take that as a compliment.. ;)

[@rockhard2654]

@@MarcoPrimeau of course its a compliment.

[@ramanMirok]

Please send me s87 guide book PDF

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Sorry, it is copyrighted material and not to be shared. I'm also on an agreement with the owner. Buy the mic, get the book or developp your own design instead of making copies..

[@ramanMirok]

@@MarcoPrimeau I could not afford this much budget Can i talk on instagram

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@ramanMirok Very sad.. I'm sorry for you.. I'm not active on instagram but look me up on facebook if you want..

[@frankysnephew]

18:54 Why would I want to eat the board??! 21:18 My earring is the microfone??

[@MarcoPrimeau]

From the french guy : Heat the circuit board... what you are listening to is the microphone...