ReValver Microphones
U87 (Fig 8)
Inspired by Neumann® U87 (Figure 8)
Model of: Neumann U87
type:
- capacitor
- Fig 8 (bidirectional)
capta: front behind less from the sides
WHAT CHANGES COMPARED TO THE CARDIOID
- more spatial
- more environment, more depth, more three-dimensionality
SOUND CHARACTER
- low natural but more present
- medium very realistic
- high sweet and open
- answer very three-dimensional
in practice: more cardioid “room”, more depth, less focus
TIMBRIC PERSONALITY
it's a mic:
- very natural
- very spacey
- very realistic
- not very aggressive
perfect for: clean ambient studio realistic recordings
cleanambientstudy
Controls
Axis Interaction
less drastic than cardioid
- ON → more presence
- OFF → softer
Gain (dB)
very sensitive (typical capacitor)
Mic Distance (inch)
- Distance 0–1”: direct
- Distance 1–3”: balance
- Distance 3–6”: natural
- Distance 6+: environment
Low (dB)
natural bass
use:
- 0 → natural
- 1 → tighter
High (dB)
tall very sweet
use:
- 0 → perfect
- +1 → more air
Delay (ms)
useful for: simulating real space layering
Ambience (Y/N)
almost always ON
Amb Level (dB)
- low → natural
- medium → study
- high → ambient
Amb Size (ms)
- 40–80 → study
- 80–120 → large
Pro Tips
QUICK SUMMARY
- Type: Figure-8 Condenser
- character: natural / spatial
- strength: depth
- limit: little attack
ON DARK CAB (PPC, Orange)
EXCELLENT opens without harshness
ON MODERN CABs (VHIII, 6505)
more natural less “in your face”
ON VINTAGE CAB
perfect disco sound
ON HI-FI CAB (TVX, SW Giant)
risk: → too ambient → poorly defined
PRO
very realistic, very three-dimensional, excellent for studying natural sound
AGAINST
little less defined attack, not ideal alone for metal
Setup Examples
REALISTIC CLEAN (TOP)
Dist4–6”
AxisOFF
Low0
High+1
AmbHon
- real studio sound
AMBIENT / CINEMATIC
Dist5–8”
AxisOFF
High+2
AmbON (wide)
ROOM MIC (PRO)
pair it with50%
- SM57 → attack
- R121 → body
- this = space
STUDIO LAYER
Dist3–5”
AxisOFF
AmbHon