Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Unto Mr. Joly, MSHilarious, et al.-
I've had this mic for a long time, and I can't believe I haven't thought of this before-DUH! As you know, I'm a hack, not a enjooneer, so I don't know how easy this would be, or if it's even possible. The starting point is a Shure SM82. I think it was discontinued around 1989. Even back then, it was a $600-800 or so broadcast condenser mic. But- it's a line level mic with a built in line level preamp and a limiter. It was designed to run on a Mercury battery that isn't made anymore, but I can get alkaline cells that are pretty close, or it can turn phantom power into the 9V or so that it wants. For Jolys (HA!), here's a link to the spec sheet with a partial schematic:
www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_sm82_ug.pdf
The question is: How hard would it be to disconnect the preamp, limiter, and all the other ultraminiaturized junk in there, and just turn it into a mic level mic that runs on 48V of phantom power? I believe this mic has a very unusual capsule, and a really great one, which makes the mistake of trying to put the preamp in the mic. I would love to replace that preamp with an Avalon, and listen to that capsule SING! Whaddya think?-Richie
I've had this mic for a long time, and I can't believe I haven't thought of this before-DUH! As you know, I'm a hack, not a enjooneer, so I don't know how easy this would be, or if it's even possible. The starting point is a Shure SM82. I think it was discontinued around 1989. Even back then, it was a $600-800 or so broadcast condenser mic. But- it's a line level mic with a built in line level preamp and a limiter. It was designed to run on a Mercury battery that isn't made anymore, but I can get alkaline cells that are pretty close, or it can turn phantom power into the 9V or so that it wants. For Jolys (HA!), here's a link to the spec sheet with a partial schematic:
www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_sm82_ug.pdf
The question is: How hard would it be to disconnect the preamp, limiter, and all the other ultraminiaturized junk in there, and just turn it into a mic level mic that runs on 48V of phantom power? I believe this mic has a very unusual capsule, and a really great one, which makes the mistake of trying to put the preamp in the mic. I would love to replace that preamp with an Avalon, and listen to that capsule SING! Whaddya think?-Richie
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