New Music Gear Monday: United Studio Technologies UT-47FET Microphone

There are tons of clones of all the favorite vintage Neumann microphones like the U-87, U-47 and U-67, but one that’s more or less overlooked is the venerable U-47FET. It doesn’t get the accolades of the others even though it’s been a go-to outside-the-kick drum, bass amp and vocal mic by top engineers for a long time. Vintage 47FETs are expensive though, as is Neumann’s latest reissue. If you really want a 47FET at a reasonable price you’re in luck with the introduction of the new UT-47FET from United Studio Technologies.

Just like the original, the UT-47FET is a field effect transistor (FET) dual diaphragm condenser microphone that’s cardioid only. It has a 10dB pad and a 75Hz hi-pass filter. The rest is up to you.

The UT 47FET’s circuitry uses “only robust and over-spec’d components, including NOS military-spec polystyrene capacitors and tested, original NOS Fairchild FETs.” Plus, the mic is free of electrolytic capacitors, which are usually the components that break down with age. 

The key to the sound of the UT 47FET is the Heiserman HZ-series K47 “German style” capsule, which UST says was a joint development by the two companies. It’s made from precision-milled brass and skinned with gold-sputtered, six-micron Japanese PET film, while the microphone body is nickel-plated and milled from a solid brass billet. It also comes with that unique swivel arm for mounting (it wouldn’t be a 47FET without it).

A big part of the sound is in the transformer and the recreation of the original German version comes from Cinemag Transformers. It’s made from a “striped core” of interleaved sets of high nickel and steel laminations, and wound to the specs of the original. Plus, it has a humbucking design for clean, quiet operation.

The best part is that it’s only $799, a relative bargain for a 47FET if you look around. You can find out more here or in the video below.

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