United Studio Technologies UT Twin87 (New)

The UT Twin87 captures the essence of both the original classic and modern incarnations of the "87-style" microphone design. For the first time ever, United has created a microphone that duplicates both circuits, and can reconfigure itself on the fly for an exceptional reproduction of the sonic capabilities of both microphones. The UT Twin87 features our 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 selected, premium components such as polystyrene, tantalum, multilayer ceramic, WIMA film capacitors, metal and carbon film resistors, and hand-selected transistors. 

Vintage, or modern? The UT Twin87 finally ends the debate with a new answer - both.

The UT Twin87 offers the authentic sonic capabilities of both "87-style" microphones in one package. United extensively measured component values and types, and circuit differences between 'golden reference' specimens of the very earliest available microphones of this style, as well as some of the final revisions produced. These variations were studied, documented, and their audible differences were carefully teased out. No mere 'EQ/boost' circuit or digital gimmick would cut it - the UT Twin87 literally toggles between two discrete '87 style circuit topologies, separated by nearly half a century.

In Vintage mode, the UT Twin87 polarises its capsule directly by phantom power voltages, taking advantage of an insulated, dual backplate capsule design - just as the earliest "87-style" microphones did. The high-Z and de-emphasis circuitry use all of the same component choices as the original. This yields a slightly warmer, softer and forgiving sound. 

In Modern mode, the capsule is polarised at a higher voltage using an FET oscillator circuit as found on later revisions of the classic mic, yielding a higher capsule sensitivity and feeding a hotter signal into the amplifier circuitry. Its high-Z and de-emphasis circuitry likewise use all of the same component choices as much later "87-style" designs. This yields a louder, slightly brighter and more articulate response, with an extended top end reach and a more 'up-front' character. 

The UT Twin87 features United's own custom-made K87 style, dual diaphragm/dual backplate capsule. 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.

In Vintage Mode, the capsule is polarised simply by normal phantom power voltages (+48v, optimal), and utilises an insulated backplate design to polarise the front and back sides separately. In Modern Mode, the capsule backplates are connected, and the polarisation voltage is raised (slowly, and gently) up to about 63 volts using a specially designed boost circuit.