MicParts S-87 Build and Test

This week is another LONG one.
Apologies, there was an issue with the audio sync on this video for the spoken parts at the beginning and end. This week's video has been wrought with problems both on our end and youtubes.
We're going to be building and testing the
‪@MicParts‬ S-87. While it shares a capsule design with a well known mic of a similar name, the circuit is actually a modified Schoeps design. Options in the kit allow for custom tailoring of the high end of the mic. We do a 4x speed through of the build then put the mic up on the piano, upright bass and some spoken vocals. At under $400 for the kit, could building a mic really be the best way to get the most bang for your buck? That's for you to decide!
LINKS:
microphone-parts.com/collecti...
Facebook: / meistudio
Instagram: / studiopags
Twitter: / meirecords
Website: www.meirecords.com
**SESSION FILES**
www.meirecords.com/sessions/S...
**CONTENTS**
0:00 - Intro
3:49 - Mic Build Unboxing
4:58 - Board Separation and Clean up
5:36 - Diodes
6:57 - Resistors
10:02 - Inductors
10:34 - Ceramic Capacitors
12:04 - Transistors
13:23 - Film Capacitors
14:20 - Toggle Switch (polar pattern)
15:02 - Electrolytic Capacitors and Trimmer
15:50 - FET Junction Assembly
16:47 - Board Cleanup
17:02 - Saddle Installation
18:15 - Capsule Installation
19:06 - Backplate Lead and Connection
20:00 - Board Connection Wires
20:50 - Final Wiring Connections
23:56 - Calibration Test
24:28 - Engraving
24:48 - Mic Test - Piano (S-87 flat, U87 Vintage Circuit, S-87 high rolloff)
26:00 - Mic Test - Upright Bass (S-87 high rolloff, U87 Vintage Circuit)
27:01 - Conclusion
28:33 - Outro
Music used in the build, since KZbin put a copyright claim on music that I have rights to use in the first version of this video...
Song: WIBERG & WBN - Complicated [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: NCS.io/Complicated
Watch: • WIBERG & WBN - Complic...
Song: Maduk - Go Home [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: ncs.io/GoHome
Watch: • Maduk - Go Home [NCS R...
Song: Prismo - Weakness [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: ncs.io/weaknessprismo
Watch: • Prismo - Weakness | Fu...

[@sansproductionlounge8083]

Really loved this video! I’ve been wanting to get the S87 Build kit. Watching your video really confirmed that I’m doing it. I feel like if I follow the instructions and not rush things I’ll be able to do it. Excellent video. Pace was great. Your speech was steady and easy to listen too. Very engaging. Thank you so much for sharing this :) blessings from Australia.

[@meistudiony]

Thanks for checking it out! Appreciate it! If you have any questions when you decide to do it, feel free to hit me up!

[@sansproductionlounge8083]

@@meistudiony thank you :) much appreciated.

[@bhgemini]

Love that 'bag over the grill' tip

[@meistudiony]

Thanks for checkin it out. Crazy things happen when soldering. Anything that can be damaged will. Lol

[@TheJTish]

I sincerely like your channel! I've been building a studio (but just a tracking 'scratchpad' in a basement) for 30 years.. I'm almost there. You've given me many things to think about. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@meistudiony]

Cool thanks for checking out the channel. Fun fact, the studio in the video is a basement studio in my home. I started back in ‘97 (different location) but we’re not too far off! If you have any questions feel free to hit me up!

[@Fubuki43]

Amazing video! Subscribed!

[@meistudiony]

Amazing person! Thank you!

[@Deriolama]

I plan to make my own mic, Thanks you for sharing...

[@meistudiony]

This is a great kit to get you started. The instruction booklet that comes with the mic is great and everything is very clearly and cleanly laid out! If you're looking to build a different mic, please, share your thoughts after you build yours!

[@astralaudio101]

The MicParts are useful and are obviously excellent for certain applications. The Neumann’s have magic though.. 👌

[@meistudiony]

The more mics i work on or build the more I'm finding that less to be true, especially with the newer, current line of mics. They're consistent as anything, which is what you're really paying for (tight quality control) but IMO, a new 87ai doesn't hold a candle to an older u87. The sound was just more rounded and smooth, the newer mics tend to be a little bright and forward (and not in a pleasing way). We gutted our AI and put a vintage circuit into it.

[@astralaudio101]

@@meistudiony That’s so intense.. That would be so scary .. Their still so expensive to just tear apart lol .. I’d just prefer to leave microphones in original condition.. It’s been a hard lesson personally. I’m sure your situation is different and obviously successful having a larger studio to cater for & diversity etc.. cheers 🎙

[@meistudiony]

@@astralaudio101 i normally do as well. There was just something not right about the mic. It can easily be put back to original with minimal effort. Whenever i mod something i try my best to make sure the mod is reversible.

[@TheJTish]

I do believe that I will cut my mic building cherry on a pair of these. I need them in my mic locker. I have LDC's but they are all tube except for one cheap MXL.. and I got it because I ordered the wrong thing (yea, old guys who need glasses, should not internet shop on their telephone) LMAO LMAO oh well.. it's a cool mic (for 100 bucks-- I was after another of the ribbon..the R44 I think or something like that). You are pretty good on that bass.. very cool groove lol.

[@meistudiony]

Mic Parts kits are REALLY great! I have done 3 or 4 of them now and the documentation and quality are just top notch. Make sure you have a nice pointy tip soldering iron. Cant really use one of those gun ones, not fine enough to get up in there. As long as you follow the directions to a T, you'll have a really great mic that will punch way above its weight class price wise.

[@JSSTUDIO-wr2jq]

👍

[@cam.heeter2325]

I’m building one of these S87’s for my senior project. Do you have a suggested temperature I should have my iron set to to ensure I don’t melt or damage any components?

[@meistudiony]

Im usually between 6-700. (my irons max is 900 and im usually on like 3-4 out of 5) The only components you need to worry about are the inductors and FET for the most part. Make sure you have a nice clean tip and flow the solder on the tip as you bring the iron to the component. Should be able to make the solder joints on most parts within a second or two. The only ones you'll have to use more heat on is any connection thats on a ground plane (more surface area to heat up). Good luck, if you have any questions, let me know be happy to help.

[@checkitout611]

Have a T12 (AKG CK-12), MXL 770 Mod with RK-47 capsule and a Roswell Delphos (same company) and couldn't be happier.

[@meistudiony]

Their stuff is really good for the money! We have a video coming up probably in jan of another one of their mods. Our Mini K47s get used for just about every piano session. Thanks for checking it out!

[@checkitout611]

@@meistudiony Couldn't agree more. I've been very happy. Look forward to the Mini review if you do one in the future. I've been eyeing that and the Mini K87.

[@meistudiony]

@@checkitout611 Roswell mini K47 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX7cnH2ndsuggdE

[@checkitout611]

@@meistudiony Duh! I guess I should have looked! Going to check it out now .... thanks!

[@meistudiony]

@@checkitout611 or you can pretend i just put it together lol. Btw my kids fav train is 611.

[@skipper4257]

which EQ capacitor did you end up swapping for?

[@meistudiony]

I went with the .01uF at C14 which was the manuals recommendation for the RK-87. I didn't notice as much of a rolloff as is mentioned in the manual but it was enough that the highs weren't as piercing.

[@ChangoFrett]

ANYONE would be hard pressed to tell the difference on the upright bass. The piano was just rounder all-around with the original U87, but the S87 definitely competes for 1/6th the price. It's between an S3-87 and a TLM193 for me right now. Very tough decision.

[@meistudiony]

Anything from Neumann that ends in a 3 im afraid of lol. The 103 is a nightmare to work with if you've ever had the dis-pleasure. Admittedly, I have not heard the TLM193. Interestingly, the two mics in the video only have a similar capsule in common. The circuit in the S-87 is a Schoeps type design and it handles the top end really nicely. I felt the S-87 had a bit more body than the U87, which was exactly what I was looking for. If you wind up going with the TLM193, please report back! Thanks for watching!

[@ChangoFrett]

@@meistudiony Look into the 193. It's one of the flattest mics out there and takes EQ like a champ, but it doesn't sacrifice detail. Suuuper smooth. It's the -3 version of the TLM170. Basically identical to it in cardioid according to frequency response charts, but 1/3 the price and no switchable polar patterns.

[@meistudiony]

@@ChangoFrett cool thanks. Good to know it didn't follow in the 103 footsteps lol.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

It better to purchase GTZ U 87 than to assemble CM byself.

[@meistudiony]

Ive had 3 different mics from gtz. I would say the MP is definitely better quality. But the MP S87 isnt trying to be a U87. It just uses a K87 style capsule.

[@irawardofficial]

That was awesome. F faceboook LOL.

[@meistudiony]

Amen! Thanks for watching!

[@badmiddens]

you mentioned a vocal test. i can't find it in your video. am i dense? yes, but in this case, am i dense? :)

[@meistudiony]

I may very well have forgotten to add it. (Still getting used to putting video together, it probably my least favorite activity lol) But i can do a follow up and make a quick test in the next week or so.

[@badmiddens]

@@meistudiony would love to see/hear that!

[@3jahel7]

Not gonna lie, Building a P80 glock is way easier