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<\/a><\/p>\nAs a result, UT Twin87 features United Studio Technologies\u2019 UT-K87 capsule, a custom-made K87-style, dual-diaphragm\/dual-backplate affair that is precision milled from brass, skinned with 6 \u03bcm (micron) Japanese Mylar \u2014 a polyester film made from stretched PET (polyethylene terephthalate) \u2014 in a laboratory-clean room environment, and has a 24k gold-sputtered membrane. Capably capturing the essence of both the original classic and modern incarnations of the \u201887-style\u2019 microphone design comes courtesy of the twin circuit topology involved. In VINTAGE mode, UT Twin87 polarizes its capsule directly by normal (+ 48V, optimal) phantom power voltages, taking advantage of an insulated dual-backplate design \u2014 as was the case with the earliest \u201887-style\u2019 microphones. Meanwhile, the Hi-Z (high impedance) and de-emphasis circuitry use all of the same component choices as the original, yielding a slightly warmer, softer, and forgiving sound. Switching UT Twin87 into MODERN mode polarizes its capsule at a higher voltage using a FET (Field- Effect Transistor) oscillator circuit \u2014 as found on later revisions of the classic mic, making for higher sensitivity that feeds a hotter signal into the amplifier circuitry. And, again, the Hi-Z and de-emphasis circuitry use all the same component choices as much later \u201887-style\u2019 designs, delivering a louder, slightly brighter, and more articulate response, with an extended top-end reach and more \u2018up-front\u2019 character.<\/p>\n
Custom capsule capabilities notwithstanding, many iterations of the original German output transformer used in this type of microphone were also assessed with some of the older, larger frame designs proving particularly inspirational in doing so. Since the size of a transformer can sometimes be a limiting factor, United Studio Technologies then developed its own custom-wound transformer built with large, all-nickel laminations resulting in almost four times the metal mass found in any existing \u201887-style\u2019 microphone. Moreover, this part positively ensures that there are no bottlenecks or weak links in the design, so nothing is lost in translation as the signal is passed out of the microphone and down long cable runs.<\/p>\n
Most modern \u201887-style\u2019 microphones incorporate an output filter designed to block RF (Radio Frequency) and FM (Frequency Modulation) interference, influencing much debate over the years as to whether this filter enhances or harms the sonics of the microphone concerned. Clearly, United Studio Technologies has effectively ended this debate, since its HPF (High-Pass Filter) can be engaged\/disengaged at any time, whether working in VINTAGE or MODERN mode.<\/p>\n
It is well worth noting that another boutique modification \u2014 the so-called \u2018true-cardioid mod\u2019 \u2014 is quietly engaged when switching UT Twin87\u2019s polar pattern to cardioid, whereby it will disengage the pattern select circuitry altogether and decouple from the rear diaphragm of the capsule to provide a cardioid function that is slightly hotter, more pure, and boasts a better signal-to-noise ratio, rather than operating in an active (switched) cardioid mode as per the standard design.<\/p>\n