This term refers to a modification process applied to the Neumann U87 Ai microphone, specifically involving the integration of vacuum tube technology, typically associated with InnerTUBE Audio. The U87 Ai, a solid-state condenser microphone renowned for its versatility and neutrality, undergoes a transformation where its original transistor-based circuitry is replaced or supplemented with a tube-based amplification stage. This modification aims to impart characteristics often associated with tube microphones, such as warmth, harmonic richness, and a smoother overall sound.
The impetus behind this modification lies in the desire to combine the U87 Ai’s inherent precision and balanced response with the sonic qualities inherent to vacuum tube technology. Original U87 microphones, produced before the Ai version, employed a different solid-state circuit that some found more desirable. However, the InnerTUBE modification seeks to move beyond even the sonic characteristics of the original, injecting modern tube performance into a classic design. The benefit is a modified microphone that retains much of the original’s desirable attributes while incorporating tube characteristics, broadening its sonic palette and potentially enhancing its suitability for specific recording applications.
