Innertube U87 upgrade or other mic

TornadoTed · 22nd December 2005

Anybody heard the U87 with the innertube upgrade, is it worth the money?

Would the $1500 spent on the upgrade be better than spending the money on another vocal mic $1500 or under? I kind of figured it would be but I'd be interested to hear peoples opinions. I have plenty of mics so I'm not bothered about recording other instruments but I would like one truly awesome vocal mic.

ISedlacek · 22nd December 2005

I would yet enhance the original question:

Innertube or Klaus Heyne mod for U87 ?

Are both worth the whopping $1500 or one would bring more benefit than the other or is it better to buy another mic for that money or better just to be happy with U87 as it is ?

Legacy · 22nd December 2005

My colleague has sent 4 87ais to Klaus Heyne. It was worth every penny and I don't say that lightly. When the first 2 came back we tested them against the other stock ones which used to be quite similar sounding. With gain matched it was NOT subtle. The new mics were HUGE and detailed. Their output was hotter. He transformed a "decent on most things" mic into a very high end beast. Also each of the 4 mics now have a modestly different character so we have a broader palette to choose from as well.

I can't imagine a more satisfying transformation. When I next buy some 87s, the dealer will be shipping them directly to Mr. Heyne.

Best,
Silas

xaos · 22nd December 2005

I have the Innertube Mag Mic and it is unreal. To me, it is very big sounding and has an excellent proximity effect on male vocals. I have no plans of ever getting rid of it.

I spoke with Stayne about the 87 mod and he told me this story (you'll have to take it with a grain of salt):

He said that he sent one of the very 1st one's over to a famous producer who's name rhymes with Spock (he he he). Stayne called to see how he liked the modded 87 and was told by said producer that he threw it up for the hell of it as a drum room mic. Said producer mentioned that it sounded bigger and better than the whole miced up kit.

I have no idea what the mag mic and modded u87 may have in common, if anything at all. For the price of the mag mic, I'd just buy one of those. Better yet, call Stayne and get his opinion, he is a great guy!

If I got the story mixed up, hopefully Stayne will chime in.

popmann · 22nd December 2005

yes I have.

What do you NOT like about your stock 87...and which version do you have?

I'll give you my impressions of the one Innertube modded p48 I've used:

A nice air lacking in the stock models...sort of a C12ish "gritty air"--not a 251's "sweet air". But not as much as either of those mics.

Slighter on the low end than a stock p48...richer low end than an AI.

VERY high output. My Millenia was like on the second gain click from null. hugely higher output than any stock 87 I've used.

Here's what I really liked...on my voice, it was very even in a way that neither stock has been...meaning throughout pitch and dynamic range, it retained a constant tone, and tracked said dynamics very well--better than most mics do.

I liked it LESS on acoustic guitar than the stock p48...more than stock AI. The high end combined with my taylor was just a tad too much--definately usable, but I've pop the stock circuitry back in to do acoustic guitar given the choice.

IMPORTANT POINT: it's like, IMO, "the ultimate 87"...but, it still sounds like an 87. Very much so. In fact, blind--you wouldn't notice the difference. You'd still recognize it as an 87...but, click back over to the SS version and you'll hate it.

So, if there are things the 87 isn't working for you on...get another mic. This mod really just "betters" the same basic sound, IMO. 87s have always worked on my voice...so I was in love since it's like "the best 87 ever"...but, a lot of folk don't like them. If you've grown tired of the sound--the mod won't change it enough. It doesn't sound like a different mic. Just a generally better one.

Rick Sutton · 22nd December 2005

Two big thumbs up on the Innertube mod. Turned my rarely used 87's into first choice gems. Money well spent.

popmann · 22nd December 2005

To clarify...mine was about the Innertube modded p48.

no experience with the Hynne mod.

TornadoTed · 22nd December 2005

Is the Klaus Hynne mod also valve?

As for what I don't like about the U87, nothing really, I nearly always get nice results from it. But you know onwards and upwards!!

kats · 22nd December 2005

Just a bit of a WAG here but I've read from Klaus that he replaces some cheap components in the circuitry, gets rid of the stuff imposed by the German Broadcasting requirements that he feels is detrimental for studio use, and retunes the capsules. I assume the work is non reversable unless you send it back to him. No clue on the cost. Oh yeah and I've never read that he converts it to a valve mic. It's tough to get info on the boards because he prefers not to solicate business on the forums, you'd have to contact him direct for a definitive answer

TornadoTed · 22nd December 2005

That's the clever thing about the Innertube mod as it's completely reversiable in minutes, not that you would want to judging by peoples rave reviews.

Legacy · 22nd December 2005

The Heyne mods we got are not tube. He goes through each component and replaces in our case virtually all of them (so I hear). I got the impression that he hears where the new compnents are taking the mic and builds towards that goal with other component choices / capsule tuning. This explains why each mic is mildly different tonally in a GOOD way. This is purely my uneducated guess based on what I am hearing in the before / after experience.

Best,
Silas

popmann · 22nd December 2005

Quote:

That's the clever thing about the Innertube mod as it's completely reversiable in minutes, not that you would want to judging by peoples rave reviews.

Actually, I prefer the stock p48 on my acoustic guitar. You just unscrew the body, pop the electronics out, snap the new ones in, screw the body back on...no tools needed, if I remember correctly.

TornadoTed · 22nd December 2005

Anyone know what the price is roughly of the Hynne mods? Is it comparable to the Innertube mod.

popmann · 23rd December 2005

I was thinking they're roughly the same price...but, the Innertube's amp is (as I understand it) closer in design to a C12's amp---where Klaus's mod really just improves the mic own amp.

No idea how different the results are.

22nd December 2005	#1
TornadoTed Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 1,408 Thread Starter	Innertube U87 upgrade or other mic Anybody heard the U87 with the innertube upgrade, is it worth the money? Would the $1500 spent on the upgrade be better than spending the money on another vocal mic $1500 or under? I kind of figured it would be but I'd be interested to hear peoples opinions. I have plenty of mics so I'm not bothered about recording other instruments but I would like one truly awesome vocal mic.

22nd December 2005	#2
ISedlacek Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Czech mountains and forests Posts: 3,821	I would yet enhance the original question: Innertube or Klaus Heyne mod for U87 ? Are both worth the whopping $1500 or one would bring more benefit than the other or is it better to buy another mic for that money or better just to be happy with U87 as it is ? __________________ Ivo Sedlacek Savita Music Velvet Mastering Velvet Sound

22nd December 2005	#4
xaos Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 292	I have the Innertube Mag Mic and it is unreal. To me, it is very big sounding and has an excellent proximity effect on male vocals. I have no plans of ever getting rid of it. I spoke with Stayne about the 87 mod and he told me this story (you'll have to take it with a grain of salt): He said that he sent one of the very 1st one's over to a famous producer who's name rhymes with Spock (he he he). Stayne called to see how he liked the modded 87 and was told by said producer that he threw it up for the hell of it as a drum room mic. Said producer mentioned that it sounded bigger and better than the whole miced up kit. I have no idea what the mag mic and modded u87 may have in common, if anything at all. For the price of the mag mic, I'd just buy one of those. Better yet, call Stayne and get his opinion, he is a great guy! If I got the story mixed up, hopefully Stayne will chime in. Last edited by xaos; 22nd December 2005 at 03:57 PM.. Reason: smiley malfunction

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22nd December 2005	#3
Legacy Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 632	My colleague has sent 4 87ais to Klaus Heyne. It was worth every penny and I don't say that lightly. When the first 2 came back we tested them against the other stock ones which used to be quite similar sounding. With gain matched it was NOT subtle. The new mics were HUGE and detailed. Their output was hotter. He transformed a "decent on most things" mic into a very high end beast. Also each of the 4 mics now have a modestly different character so we have a broader palette to choose from as well. I can't imagine a more satisfying transformation. When I next buy some 87s, the dealer will be shipping them directly to Mr. Heyne. Best, Silas

22nd December 2005	#5
popmann Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,709	yes I have. What do you NOT like about your stock 87...and which version do you have? I'll give you my impressions of the one Innertube modded p48 I've used: A nice air lacking in the stock models...sort of a C12ish "gritty air"--not a 251's "sweet air". But not as much as either of those mics. Slighter on the low end than a stock p48...richer low end than an AI. VERY high output. My Millenia was like on the second gain click from null. hugely higher output than any stock 87 I've used. Here's what I really liked...on my voice, it was very even in a way that neither stock has been...meaning throughout pitch and dynamic range, it retained a constant tone, and tracked said dynamics very well--better than most mics do. I liked it LESS on acoustic guitar than the stock p48...more than stock AI. The high end combined with my taylor was just a tad too much--definately usable, but I've pop the stock circuitry back in to do acoustic guitar given the choice. IMPORTANT POINT: it's like, IMO, "the ultimate 87"...but, it still sounds like an 87. Very much so. In fact, blind--you wouldn't notice the difference. You'd still recognize it as an 87...but, click back over to the SS version and you'll hate it. So, if there are things the 87 isn't working for you on...get another mic. This mod really just "betters" the same basic sound, IMO. 87s have always worked on my voice...so I was in love since it's like "the best 87 ever"...but, a lot of folk don't like them. If you've grown tired of the sound--the mod won't change it enough. It doesn't sound like a different mic. Just a generally better one.

22nd December 2005	#6
Rick Sutton Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 3,861	Two big thumbs up on the Innertube mod. Turned my rarely used 87's into first choice gems. Money well spent.

22nd December 2005	#9
kats Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,647	Just a bit of a WAG here but I've read from Klaus that he replaces some cheap components in the circuitry, gets rid of the stuff imposed by the German Broadcasting requirements that he feels is detrimental for studio use, and retunes the capsules. I assume the work is non reversable unless you send it back to him. No clue on the cost. Oh yeah and I've never read that he converts it to a valve mic. It's tough to get info on the boards because he prefers not to solicate business on the forums, you'd have to contact him direct for a definitive answer

23rd December 2005	#14
popmann Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,709	I was thinking they're roughly the same price...but, the Innertube's amp is (as I understand it) closer in design to a C12's amp---where Klaus's mod really just improves the mic own amp. No idea how different the results are.