a U-87 for under $70?

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digitaldrummer
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a U-87 for under $70?

Post by digitaldrummer » Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:46 am

I'm sure it's not great, but it amazes me that they are able to sell a multi-pattern LDC for this price (with the current 50% coupon on Amazon).

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09LV28VQC/ ... dp_it&th=1

and I use the term LDC loosely as well since 25.4mm is 1 inch - that's about the bare minimum to be classified as LDC. I'm sure the output is transformerless at this price as well. would expect surface mount at this price too.

anyone got the urge to get one and take a look inside? see if it could be upgraded?
Last edited by digitaldrummer on Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by losthighway » Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:59 am

I wonder how this stacks up against the bargain basement MXLs. I have no reason to ever touch this thing, but for some 15 year old who wants to mess around and get started. Totally awesome.

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by digitaldrummer » Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:08 am

I can't recall a multi-pattern MXL at this price so if it sounds close, then it might be a pretty good deal, especially to help understand what the different patterns can do for you. I certainly don't need another mic right now... especially something low end.
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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by winky dinglehoffer » Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:26 am

And the mic's a Donner, so you know it comes to party. (I bet it eats other mics for lunch too.)

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by kslight » Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:30 am

Some other bargain basement mics if anyone is in the market…no experience with these but larger diaphragm. Tube mic for $115?

https://www.monoprice.com/category/pro- ... icrophones

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by A.David.MacKinnon » Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:32 am

The monoprice active ribbon looks more interesting than anything else at that price point. I have no need of more mics, let alone cheap ones......but still.

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by losthighway » Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:54 pm

winky dinglehoffer wrote:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:26 am
And the mic's a Donner, so you know it comes to party. (I bet it eats other mics for lunch too.)
Moderators, please close the thread. It peaked right here and cannot possibly offer anything better than this.

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by eh91311 » Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:54 pm

Saw this mic on Amazon. Mic is now $129, not $70. Capsule looks very low grade if you scrutinize the pics on Amazon. Mic can't sound good.

And, my recent poor experiences with Monoprice is making me think about not buying from them again. I bought one of their "cheap" LDC mics, on sale for 1/2 price. Even though Monoprice is like 50 miles from me, they shipped the mic from Kentucky by Fedex Post. Took 18 days in shipping to reach me, then local USPS mislabelled my box, adding 3 more days. Monoprice refunded me after 2+ weeks, then requested to bill me for a mic thought lost in transit. The mic is just ok (it works). Now all the mic sales are off and back to full price. Not worth the wait.

Conclusion, buy the best mics you can afford. Resist the temptation to try the cheap stuff.

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by Scodiddly » Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:49 am

Those kind of Chinese special cheap mics are basically just good as donor bodies for a DIY mic. But you can make really great mics for not a huge amount of money.

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by digitaldrummer » Tue Nov 29, 2022 6:08 am

A.David.MacKinnon wrote:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:32 am
The monoprice active ribbon looks more interesting than anything else at that price point. I have no need of more mics, let alone cheap ones......but still.
and down to $67.67 today... https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625908
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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by eh91311 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 11:39 pm

digitaldrummer wrote:
Tue Nov 29, 2022 6:08 am
A.David.MacKinnon wrote:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:32 am
The monoprice active ribbon looks more interesting than anything else at that price point. I have no need of more mics, let alone cheap ones......but still.
and down to $67.67 today... https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625908
Me being affiliated with a proposed start-up ribbon mic company, I find it difficult to believe that a ribbon mic with a 4-micron thick ribbon can sound 'good'. The quality of the ribbon foil & the corregation is extremely important, along with the quality of the wire and transformer in a passive ribbon mic.

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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by trodden » Thu Dec 01, 2022 8:35 am

eh91311 wrote:
Wed Nov 30, 2022 11:39 pm
digitaldrummer wrote:
Tue Nov 29, 2022 6:08 am
A.David.MacKinnon wrote:
Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:32 am
The monoprice active ribbon looks more interesting than anything else at that price point. I have no need of more mics, let alone cheap ones......but still.
and down to $67.67 today... https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625908
Me being affiliated with a proposed start-up ribbon mic company, I find it difficult to believe that a ribbon mic with a 4-micron thick ribbon can sound 'good'. The quality of the ribbon foil & the corregation is extremely important, along with the quality of the wire and transformer in a passive ribbon mic.
I bet this would be a great mod platform then! If you're into rolling your own.

eh91311
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Re: a U-87 for under $70?

Post by eh91311 » Thu Dec 01, 2022 9:15 am

trodden wrote:
Thu Dec 01, 2022 8:35 am
eh91311 wrote:
Wed Nov 30, 2022 11:39 pm
digitaldrummer wrote:
Tue Nov 29, 2022 6:08 am


and down to $67.67 today... https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625908
Me being affiliated with a proposed start-up ribbon mic company, I find it difficult to believe that a ribbon mic with a 4-micron thick ribbon can sound 'good'. The quality of the ribbon foil & the corregation is extremely important, along with the quality of the wire and transformer in a passive ribbon mic.
I bet this would be a great mod platform then! If you're into rolling your own.
The MXL R144 ribbon mic is a much better platform for mods than the Monoprice ribbon mic. Similar current pricing too.

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