Heritage Audio UT-TWIN87 – Large-diaphragm Twin Circuit Condenser Microphone

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 polarizes 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 polarized 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.

• <> Type Condenser Microphone
• <> Capsule UT Series, 34mm brass, insulated dual backplate K87
• <> Diaphragm Dual-diaphragm, 6 micron, 24k gold sputtered Mylar (PET film)
• <> Power Supply +48v Phantom Power (via XLR)
• <> Ground Pin 1 XLR (required)
• <> Frequency Response 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• <> Polar Pattern Cardioid, Figure 8, Omni
• <> SPL 136 dB (145 dB w/ Pad) @ <.5% THD
• <> Output Impedance 27 ?
• <> Amplifier Type Field Effect Transistor
• <> Self Noise <10 dB (cardioid setting, no pad, no HPF)
• <> Output Custom-wound UT Series transformer, made in USA
• <> Body Nickel electroplated, solid milled brass
• <> High pass filter 80hZ (12dB down point)
• <> Pad -10dB
• <> Connector 24k gold plated XLR, pin 2 HOT, pin 1 GND
• <> Mount Suspension type shock mount (coming soon)
• <> Dimensions Height: 220mm / 8.6 in.
• <> Diameter: 55mm / 2.2 in.
• <> Shockmount Depth: 190mm / 7.5 in.