Microphone Parts: Capsules, Mod Kits, and More
AKG d12, AKG d112, AKG D19c, AKG D25, Beyerdynamic m88, Beyerdynamic M201tg, Audio-Technica AE 2500, ElectroVoice RE 27, Sennheiser D 441-U(2pieces), Sennheiser D 421-II(3pieces). Neumann KM 84 (2) Neumann TLM 103 (2) Neumann U47 Fet. Chandler LTD-1 Neve 1073 Clone (2) Neve/Shep 1081 mic pre w/4 band EQ (2) Pultec MEQ5. The AKG C 12 was introduced in 1953 and production continued until 1963. The C 12 was the world’s first remote-controllable multi-pattern large-diaphragm microphone, and about 2,500 of them were produced during its ten-year run. OEM versions of the C 12 were also produced for Siemens (SM 203, SM 204) and for Telefunken (ELA M 251). The Microphone Locker - hosted by David Bock. The Microphone Forum.
Latest DIY Audio News
See this summary of MicParts product news -- new product releases, stock status, and more.
Resources for DIY Beginners
DIY is a fantastic way to build a collection of great studio gear. There is simply no better deal in the world... but you have to have the tools, the time, and the experience. The biggest barrier to entry is experience. Soldering is not difficult, but you will need to practice. That's why we recently introduced this low-cost soldering practice kit and the series of video tutorials linked above. See also this ranked list of DIY microphone projects, from easy to challenging.
DIY Microphone Kits
We believe microphones are essentially EQ devices. We further believe that if all your microphones sound the same, then your gear isn’t serving you as well as it could. We can help you build some extraordinarily musical variety into your mic locker.
We make premium, custom versions of three landmark vintage microphone circuits: transformerless JFET (Schoeps style), transformer JFET (KM84 style), transformer tube (ElaM 251 style).
Each kit includes an unbranded mic body, custom PCBs, premium components, best-in-class documentation, and the large-diaphragm capsule of your choice.
Large-diaphragm replacement microphone capsules
Our most popular capsule is a K47 style, modeled after the capsule in the Neumann U47. It gives your mic the classic “mid-forward” presence associated with vintage Neumann microphones, and a wonderful contrast to the over-bright condensers that have overtaken the market.
We have an AKG CK-12 style capsule to recreate the brightness and intimacy of the AKG C12 and Ela M 251 microphones.
And we offer a beautiful version of Neumann’s venerable K67/K87, voiced with a milder high-frequency boost than is typical for this design.
Circuit replacement kits
Our circuit replacement kits let you turn inexpensive microphones into professional-grade studio workhorses.
We have kits for the Fat Head (ribbon), Alctron T11-A / Apex 460 (tube) and numerous FET mics from Studio Projects, MXL, CAD, Apex, Nady, t.bone, and Golden Age -- low-cost microphones with “good bones.” By replacing the circuit and capsule with our custom parts, we’re able to make these cheap mics compete with the high-dollar pedigreed mics you’d normally reach for first.
See our directory of mic mods to find options tailored to your specific donor microphone.
Hand-built Boutique Microphones
Akg D12 Clone Headset
We build custom mics to order, based on our own microphone kits and upgraded with un-published mods. Contact us if you're interested.
Educational Discount Program - DIY Audio Kits for Schools
If your school offers classes in recording arts, studio maintenance, audio electronics, or DIY, we'd like to work with you to introduce our DIY microphone kits to your students. Read about our DIY EDU program here.
Free Consultation
Do you have questions about a potential mic mod? We've built thousands of mics over the past 10 years. Chances are we can help you out. Find a direct email address for us here.
In the video below, guest vlogger Matthew Jenkins walks us through his build of a vintage-style Neumann U87 clone. What some viewers may find surprising is that at no point during the video does Matthew perform any black magic or mortgage his home. As you'll see, a soldering iron, some attention to detail, $350-500 USD, and a free afternoon are all that's required to complete this project. And, thanks in large part to Microphone-Parts and Vintage Microphone PCB, all of the components that go into an excellent U87 reproduction are now available off the shelf. The components Matthew used are:- Microphone body ('donor' bodies range between $100-200 used or new)
- RK-87 capsule from Microphone-Parts ($109)
- D-U87 PCB Set from VintageMicrophonePCBKit ($20)
- PCB components from Mouser ($20)
- Cinemag CM-2480 from Cinemag ($43)
- Donor Bodies
- Behringer B2 (all switches)
- MXL 2010 (all switches)
- Aurycle A460 (no pickup pattern switch)
- MCA SP1 (no pickup pattern switch)
- CAD GXL2400 (no pickup pattern switch)
- Carvin CM87S (no pickup pattern switch)
- Gauge ECM 87 (no switches)
- Nady SCM 900 (no switches)
- Capsules
- Microphone Parts RK-87 ($109)
- Peluso P-K87i ($255)
- TSKGuy U87 ($250)
- Transformers
- AMI T13, designed specifically as a replacement for the original U87 transformer ($95)
Akg D12 Clone
Please ask questions or share your experience with building a U87 in the comments. And let me know of any donor bodies or components I may have missed.