Following the success of their UT FET47 condenser, Baton Rouge firm United Studio Technologies are back with an 87-style mission to deliver the definitive vocal microphone…
Best Of The Century
United’s UT Twin87 model draws on research from classic 87 condenser microphones spanning around 50 years. Assuring the utmost attention to detail, United Studio Technologies aimed to capture the essence of the archetypal models from both vintage and modern ends of the timeline.
By meticulously selecting each component and design trait, United were able to accomplish one product with the best sonic qualities from both eras.
Dual Topology
Achieving the capabilities of two different microphone designs is no ease feat. However during circuit and component comparisons across multiple models United were determined to avoid a simple EQ or boost circuit to simply emulate a change in character.
As such the aptly named Twin87 features two discrete 87 circuit topologies and toggles between them:
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Vintage mode polarises the 87 capsule straight from the phantom power supply voltages, making use of a classic K87-style dual backplate. This results in a soft and forgiving tone in-line with earlier 87 models.
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Modern mode meanwhile feeds a hotter signal into the amp circuitry by harnessing a FET oscillator very similar to circuits found in later 87 units. This delivers a louder, punchier sonic profile that sits nicely up-front in a mix.
Fully Custom K87 Capsule
Redesigned from the ground up, United’s custom K87-esque dual diaphragm backplate capsule is precision milled from brass and skinned with 6-micron Japanese mylar. Assembled in a laboratory clean-room environment, the membrane itself is sputtered with 24k gold to accommodate and capture even the finest acoustic detail.
In-House Transformer Design
After scouring multiple iterations of the original German output transformer design United determined that transformer size is often a limiting factor when it comes to 87-style condensers.
Making no compromises, the Twin87 features a newly designed custom-wound transformer armed with almost 4x the metal-mass found in any regular 87-style microphone. This ensures that during operation, headroom is at its highest, no signal degradation takes place even on longer cable runs, and most importantly the open, three-dimensional sound shines through without impeding any lower-end frequencies.
Shipping This Summer
United Studio Technologies’ UT TWIN 87 will begin shipping from the UK in May 2022. For all spec enquiries or to find you nearest stockist contact SCV’s pro audio sales team.