InnerTUBE retrofit for U87

KROK · 15th August 2005, 11:35 PM

I have a mid-70's U-87 and I am definitely not in the market for a vintage 67, nor can I swing a Korby setup as of right now. I have been looking at these conversion kits www.innertubeaudio.com/u87retrofit.html
and was hoping to get some input on these.

Opinions Please?!?!!?!?

jbuntz · 16th August 2005, 12:41 AM

I can tell you that the retrofit is a Triode and not a Pentode like in the 67. 47's, C12's and 251's all had triodes though so I don't think having a triode instead of a pentode is a bad thing.

KROK · 16th August 2005, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbuntz

I can tell you that the retrofit is a Triode and not a Pentode like in the 67. 47's, C12's and 251's all had triodes though so I don't think having a triode instead of a pentode is a bad thing.

Ya, I noticed that in the review that they have on their website. I do totally agree with you though, nothing wrong with it being Triode.

Rick Sutton · 16th August 2005, 03:33 AM

I really don't know how they relate to 67's, but I had my 87's modded some years back and I absolutely love them. The stock 87 was a bland mic to my ears and the Innertube kit really gives it some guts and character. I've used them on a lot of different sources and they are well balanced and sound great on just about everything, can't remember anything specifically that they didn't sound good on. The only caveat is that the noise floor isn't the quietest, not bad just a little hiss that has to be factored into their use. Even with that said, some of my best solo acoustic guitar recordings have been made with them (spaced pair, 2-3 feet out). Just wouldn't use them at ten feet from a quiet guitar.

KROK · 16th August 2005, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

I really don't know how they relate to 67's, but I had my 87's modded some years back and I absolutely love them. The stock 87 was a bland mic to my ears and the Innertube kit really gives it some guts and character. I've used them on a lot of different sources and they are well balanced and sound great on just about everything, can't remember anything specifically that they didn't sound good on. The only caveat is that the noise floor isn't the quietest, not bad just a little hiss that has to be factored into their use. Even with that said, some of my best solo acoustic guitar recordings have been made with them. Just wouldn't use them at ten feet from a quiet guitar.

So do these sound close to anything else that you've used before?

Rick Sutton · 16th August 2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KROK

So do these sound close to anything else that you've used before?

Now there's a hard question to answer. They're a little lighter sounding than my U47, a little thicker than my C12 or C24, a little more neutral than my KM56's, a bit wider and deeper than my KM 84's, tons clearer than my C412/C414 combo. About the best idea I can give you is they sound like I thought stock U87's should have sounded like but don't. To me stock 87's are mid rangey and boring especially without a great pre/eq combo. The Innertube 87's don't need eq very often and sound more open especially in the frequency extremes.

SoulSpace · 16th August 2005, 07:37 AM

I too am interested in the tube modification for the u87(ai). I just shot out my U87ai vs. the Korby and the Korby (c12,251,u67) pretty much blew it away for close male vocals (mine). Anyone else with feedback on the innertube modification or other mods for the u87ai?

themaidsroom · 16th August 2005, 08:40 AM

i'd love to hear it -
my 87 is used by people in their fifties who have definite ideas, and don't
want to try any of the six soudelux tube mics i have here or on the
wildly overdynamic singer who literally wants to scream ala diamanda galas
and then whisper with no apparent mic technique - then the 87 goes up
and its ok, but we're really calming her freak out then, more than anything
......yes, even with
tape and a compressor there CAN BE DISTORTION IF SOMEONE SCREAMS
INTO THE Elux, the 87 is blah, it doesn't really sound more than
a shiny c+ , but to continue the calming we start saying that it sounds
pretty good etc................marching forward with a strong c +

i wonder why those mods are so expensive, am i wrong, $1795 , was that
what I saw............???

is the modded mic more sensitive, as likely to blow up as a standard tube mic ??

be well

- jack

84K · 16th August 2005, 08:45 AM

We have the Mag Mic by: Innertube... Sounds similar to the Elam 251a, but more output and in need of less EQ. AMAZING MIC!!!!!!

themaidsroom · 16th August 2005, 08:47 AM

do you have 67's?-

- jack

84K · 16th August 2005, 08:48 AM

The studio has 6 of them

The Mag is more like a C12 / Elam 251 esque sound... but with much more output and no noise (considering the output)... NOTHING at all sounds anything like a 67. No other mic.

themaidsroom · 16th August 2005, 08:50 AM

that's nice !

it's crazy with words, but how do they compare the innertube and the 67 ?

would you buy another innertube ?

thanks,

jack

84K · 16th August 2005, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themaidsroom

that's nice !

it's crazy with words, but how do they compare the innertube and the 67 ?

would you buy another innertube ?

thanks,

jack

ABSOLUTELY (about buying another MAG)!

The U67 is a very unique mic... One of few that I have never heard anything that is like it in any way. The U67 is a one of a kind sound only available (as of now) in the original mic.

themaidsroom · 16th August 2005, 08:55 AM

the u-67 is still one of my favourite mics, but i don't own any - the next major
label gig, that might be the thing.......or a pair..........
i've loved singing through that mic

do you put them on toms?

- jack

themaidsroom · 16th August 2005, 08:59 AM

david bock spoke to me once if his plans to attempt a 67, saying that
it might be very difficult and costly to reproduce.....

are there any stories of mod's that come close??
neumann's own site refers to the 87 as a direct descendant......

be well

- jack

stayne · 16th August 2005, 05:03 PM

my spies always tell me i need to spend more time on the forum. where do you guys find the time ???? anyway.......the latest version of our innerTUBE 87 has a much lower noise
floor and WAY more output than the units mr sutton speaks of. does anybody really like their stock 87's ????? we also offer the same electronics to fit your U-67's. the stock 67's are
not a very versatile mic. how many of you guys have put up a 67 wanting it to be perfect... then tweak it for an hour before giving up and putting up another mic ?? the triode solves the problem. the
67's sound FAR better with our triode in place of their original pentode electronics and turns them into very versatile mics.

Sounds Great · 16th August 2005, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84K

NOTHING at all sounds anything like a 67. No other mic.

I have heard that my Gefel M-582/M71 should sound "similar" to a U67, but I have never had the 67 to compare. Any truth to this?

arrogantbastard · 17th August 2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

I have heard that my Gefel M-582/M71 should sound "similar" to a U67, but I have never had the 67 to compare. Any truth to this?

My friend Todd, who does lots of major label projects, uses M582 w/m62 nickel capsule for drum overheads. He says that's his favorite mic for that application along side a pair of U67's. I used U67's on OH the other day and they sounded great. But I didn't a/b them. To my ear they didn't sound exactly the same from what I can remember but maybe I can see there might be a resemblence. It's been awhile since I've heard the M582's. I want a pair.

Justin

Sounds Great · 17th August 2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arrogantbastard

My friend Todd, who does lots of major label projects, uses M582 w/m62 nickel capsule for drum overheads. He says that's his favorite mic for that application along side a pair of U67's. I used U67's on OH the other day and they sounded great. But I didn't a/b them. To my ear they didn't sound exactly the same from what I can remember but maybe I can see there might be a resemblence. It's been awhile since I've heard the M582's. I want a pair.

Justin

Justin, what ever happened with the UM900's?

mbvoxx · 18th July 2008, 05:27 PM

You'll like the innertubed 87. Makes the mic a lot more usable, warmer,
thicker, nice mids, and the gain boost is about 150%...

jjblair · 18th July 2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

I have heard that my Gefel M-582/M71 should sound "similar" to a U67, but I have never had the 67 to compare. Any truth to this?

No. Not even close. Totally different capsule, different, tube, different circuit, etc.

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15th August 2005, 11:35 PM	#1
KROK Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 195	InnerTUBE retrofit for U87 I have a mid-70's U-87 and I am definitely not in the market for a vintage 67, nor can I swing a Korby setup as of right now. I have been looking at these conversion kits www.innertubeaudio.com/u87retrofit.html and was hoping to get some input on these. Opinions Please?!?!!?!?

16th August 2005, 07:37 AM	#7
SoulSpace Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 248	I too am interested in the tube modification for the u87(ai). I just shot out my U87ai vs. the Korby and the Korby (c12,251,u67) pretty much blew it away for close male vocals (mine). Anyone else with feedback on the innertube modification or other mods for the u87ai? __________________ http://www.DanielAustin.com http://SoulSpaceRecords.com

16th August 2005, 05:03 PM	#16
stayne Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oz Posts: 64	my spies always tell me i need to spend more time on the forum. where do you guys find the time ???? anyway.......the latest version of our innerTUBE 87 has a much lower noise floor and WAY more output than the units mr sutton speaks of. does anybody really like their stock 87's ????? we also offer the same electronics to fit your U-67's. the stock 67's are not a very versatile mic. how many of you guys have put up a 67 wanting it to be perfect... then tweak it for an hour before giving up and putting up another mic ?? the triode solves the problem. the 67's sound FAR better with our triode in place of their original pentode electronics and turns them into very versatile mics. __________________ innertubeaudio.com

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16th August 2005, 12:41 AM	#2
jbuntz Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,650	I can tell you that the retrofit is a Triode and not a Pentode like in the 67. 47's, C12's and 251's all had triodes though so I don't think having a triode instead of a pentode is a bad thing.

16th August 2005, 03:33 AM	#4
Rick Sutton Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 1,820	I really don't know how they relate to 67's, but I had my 87's modded some years back and I absolutely love them. The stock 87 was a bland mic to my ears and the Innertube kit really gives it some guts and character. I've used them on a lot of different sources and they are well balanced and sound great on just about everything, can't remember anything specifically that they didn't sound good on. The only caveat is that the noise floor isn't the quietest, not bad just a little hiss that has to be factored into their use. Even with that said, some of my best solo acoustic guitar recordings have been made with them (spaced pair, 2-3 feet out). Just wouldn't use them at ten feet from a quiet guitar.

16th August 2005, 08:40 AM	#8
themaidsroom Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 2,756	i'd love to hear it - my 87 is used by people in their fifties who have definite ideas, and don't want to try any of the six soudelux tube mics i have here or on the wildly overdynamic singer who literally wants to scream ala diamanda galas and then whisper with no apparent mic technique - then the 87 goes up and its ok, but we're really calming her freak out then, more than anything ......yes, even with tape and a compressor there CAN BE DISTORTION IF SOMEONE SCREAMS INTO THE Elux, the 87 is blah, it doesn't really sound more than a shiny c+ , but to continue the calming we start saying that it sounds pretty good etc................marching forward with a strong c + i wonder why those mods are so expensive, am i wrong, $1795 , was that what I saw............??? is the modded mic more sensitive, as likely to blow up as a standard tube mic ?? be well - jack

16th August 2005, 08:45 AM	#9
84K Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: right coast Posts: 3,766	We have the Mag Mic by: Innertube... Sounds similar to the Elam 251a, but more output and in need of less EQ. AMAZING MIC!!!!!!

16th August 2005, 08:47 AM	#10
themaidsroom Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 2,756	do you have 67's?- - jack

16th August 2005, 08:48 AM	#11
84K Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: right coast Posts: 3,766	The studio has 6 of them The Mag is more like a C12 / Elam 251 esque sound... but with much more output and no noise (considering the output)... NOTHING at all sounds anything like a 67. No other mic.

16th August 2005, 08:50 AM	#12
themaidsroom Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 2,756	that's nice ! it's crazy with words, but how do they compare the innertube and the 67 ? would you buy another innertube ? thanks, jack

16th August 2005, 08:55 AM	#14
themaidsroom Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 2,756	the u-67 is still one of my favourite mics, but i don't own any - the next major label gig, that might be the thing.......or a pair.......... i've loved singing through that mic do you put them on toms? - jack

16th August 2005, 08:59 AM	#15
themaidsroom Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 2,756	david bock spoke to me once if his plans to attempt a 67, saying that it might be very difficult and costly to reproduce..... are there any stories of mod's that come close?? neumann's own site refers to the 87 as a direct descendant...... be well - jack

18th July 2008, 05:27 PM	#20
mbvoxx Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 81	You'll like the innertubed 87. Makes the mic a lot more usable, warmer, thicker, nice mids, and the gain boost is about 150%...