United Studio Technologies UT Vintage87 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

The UT Vintage87 gives everyone the sound and essence of one of the most in-demand microphone designs of all time. The UT Vintage87 features the same component selection and build quality of the UT Twin87 streamlined to a single, fixed true cardioid pattern. To make UT Vintage87 accessible, we simply stripped away several features from the UT Twin87 that some users may not need — no other cost-cutting measures were implemented. UT Vintage87 delivers instant gratification that works every time.

The UT Vintage87 features United’s own large-core, custom-wound, US-made output transformer, our own custom made 24k gold sputtered dual diaphragm/dual backplate K87-style capsule, and a whole assortment of hand-selected, premium components such as polystyrene, tantalum, multilayer ceramic, and WIMA film capacitors, metal and carbon film resistors, and hand-selected transistors. 

The legendary sounds of your favorite records and films are now yours — minus the legendary price tag.

A Custom United UT-K87 Capsule

In order to match the robust, versatile, and well-balanced sound of the classic, we used our own custom-made K87-style, dual diaphragm/single backplate capsule. It’s an efficient circuit built from top-of-the-line components for pure and uncompromising sound quality. The UT-K87 capsule is precision milled from brass, skinned with 6 micron Japanese PET film (mylar), and has 24k gold sputtered membrane. The capsules are skinned in a laboratory clean-room environment. 

A Custom United Transformer

United looked at many iterations of the original German output transformer used in this type of microphone, drawing particular inspiration from some of the older, larger frame designs. Knowing that size can sometimes be a limiting factor, United developed their own custom-wound transformer which has nearly four times the metal mass found in any “87-style” microphone. This ensures that there are no bottlenecks or weak links in the design, and that nothing is lost in translation as the signal is passed out of the microphone and down long cable runs. The transformer sounds open, with high headroom, and a clear, three dimensional sound and will never impede low frequencies.

United's custom-wound, US made transformer is built with large, all nickel laminations. They could have used a smaller or less expensive transformer; they simply refused to compromise.

It’s Not Just Another Mic - It’s A United

The classic original mic’s pattern-select circuitry is excluded from the UT Vintage87, yielding a hotter, more pure, and cleaner true-cardioid response.    A switchable output filter blocks RF and EM interference.

In the case of the UT Vintage87, “Vintage” means timeless—not “old.” Based on the R&D of the UT Twin87, UT Vintage87 is built to a timeless standard for timeless sounds; including many high-end components more commonly found in boutique offerings. Now everyone has access to one of the world’s most renowned quality microphones.

Features

• Faithful reproduction of the vintage German studio microphone
• Custom United 24k gold sputtered dual diaphragm/dual backplate K87 style capsule
• Switchable RF filter, for the first time on a vintage style “87-style“ microphone
• True-cardioid pattern that is slightly hotter, more pure, and boasts a better signal-to-noise ratio than the classic original
• Custom wound, American-made United transformer with 4x the metal mass of “other 87s“
• Absolute workhorse, a desert-island microphone for professional studios and voiceover work
• Clean, clear, articulate, open sound
• Low noise and high headroom and dynamic range

Specs

Type:                                     Condenser Microphone

Capsule:                                UT Series, 34mm brass, insulated dual backplate K87

Diaphragm:                           Dual-diaphragm, 6 micron, 24k gold sputtered Mylar (PET film)

Capsule Sensitivity:             -34dB @ 60v

Frequency Response:          20 Hz - 20 kHz

Polar Pattern:                        Cardioid

SPL:                                       117 dB (127 dB w/ Pad) @ <.5% THD

Output Impedance:              27 Ω

Output Connector:               24k gold plated XLR, pin 2 HOT, pin 1 GND

Amplifier Type:                     Field Effect Transistor

Self Noise:                            <10 dB

Output:                                  Custom-wound UT Series transformer, made in USA

High Pass Filter:                   80hZ (12 dB down point)

Pad:                                        -10 dB

Body:                                     Nickel electroplated, solid milled brass

Mount:                                   Suspension type shock mount (included)

Ground:                                 Pin 1 XLR (required)

Power Input:                          48v Phantom Power (via XLR)

Included Accessories:         Vintage-style pouch, shockmount

Dimensions - Microphone:  Height: 220 mm / 8.6″
                                               Diameter: 55 mm / 2.2″
                                               Shockmount Depth: 118 mm / 4.64″ - 178mm / 7″

Example Applications

Vocals

• Male
• Female
• Group

Fretted Instruments

• Acoustic Guitar
• Acoustic Bass
• Electric Guitar
• Electric Bass

Acoustic Environment

• Room capture
• Hall capture

Orchestral Instruments

• Brass
• Woodwinds
• Piano

Percussion

• Floor Tom
• Rack Tom
• Cymbals
• Room
• Traditional Instruments

Misc

• Sample Capture

Broadcast

• Podcasting
• Narration