6802 Mods

[Marik]

It's awesome to hear all these samples - really brings out the differences. Thanks again to you and to Jos (?) for all that fantastic singing!! The MK-319 capsule is good -- that's not too surprising, because I've some nice sounds come through those before.

Yeah, she is phenomenal and was very patient doing all those tracks coming to the studio again and again

The MK319 although nice, to me sounds already too dark for a condenser--very close to a ribbon. Next test is gonna be with its re-machined backplate and re-skinned with aluminum diaphragm .

So far, the PK-47 + 12AT7 has just the sound I was hoping for - like you read my mind.

Didn't you tell me what sound you wanted?

Best, M

 

[antichef]

Didn't you tell me what sound you wanted?

Indeed -- but I was afraid my two-word description (or whatever it was) might fall short of providing enough information -- nice that it didn't

 

[antichef]

Just got it back from Marik today!!!! Whoooo hooooo!!!! Really takes the edge off the GB waiting heebeejeebees.

I don't have a lot in the way of "before" samples (a couple of lame-o ones), but I'll follow up with "after" samples. Mic looks awesome, inside and out.

edit: oh, and I sent off my DMP3, so I can't test with it, but I can with a DMP2. And in the DMP3 give-away, I very stupidly overlooked Marik's precedent of giving away this awesome mic mod, of which I was the unworthy recipient You saw it here first, folks!

 

[antichef]

OK, here's the first of my before/after recordings. I'll need the cooperation of my older daughter for the other one. The before part was the stock 6802T, but with an old GE 12AT7 in it. The after has the same tube, but now a Peluso PK47 capsule, a TAB-Funkenwerk BV-314 transformer, and extensive circuit rework by Marik.

http://www.recursor.net/6802TBeforeAndAfter.wav (31 megs)

(3 megs)

some time has passed between the recordings, and my voice is different (due to having a cold in the earlier part). Also, I can't remember whether I was holding the mic or had it in the shock mount before, and it's definitely in the shock mount after. I used a Mogami tube microphone cable in both (as well as Mogami XLR from the power supply box to the preamp), instead of the cable that ships with the mic.

I believe there's a big decrease in proximity effect, I suppose due to the new capsule? I did my first recording close up, without backing off , but I got both positions in the second part.

When my daughter "sang" into it before, she was positioned sensibly away from the mic, and I know it was in the shock mount. So I'll post that when I can

 

[chance]

First time visiting this topic. I don't have a 1200 here, but I THINK it uses a 6 pin cable from mic to PSU. You would think they would use a 7 pin and just leave the 7th pin blank just to keep things simple.

 

[mshilarious]

The before part was the stock 6802T, but with an old GE 12AT7 in it. The after has the same tube, but now a Peluso PK47 capsule, a TAB-Funkenwerk BV-314 transformer, and extensive circuit rework by Marik.

The 6802T is the best microphone case I've ever heard. And the XLR pins are warm and rich!

 

[antichef]

The 6802T is the best microphone case I've ever heard. And the XLR pins are warm and rich!

Definitely some mojo in those stock pins -- I'm never changing them out! Also, I should have mentioned it - it still has the vintage gold-colored grill!

edit:

 

[craigmorris74]

Wow, the fizz is gone!

 

[antichef]

ok - since somebody listened to my first crappy comparison (at least I think you did, CM ), here's my other less-than-helpful comparison -- in a mix:

(before)

(after)

(btw, the electric guitar is recorded with the ACM-4, with a transformer upgrade, and the bass is direct)

 

[craigmorris74]

The orignal before sounds like a mic that would be used to record a pop diva.

The after more midrange rock and roll.

 

[antichef]

or actually, more for jazz and downtempo -- that's what I wanted - now I just gotta use it for that -- wish I had some better "before" samples...

 

[antichef]

OK, the more I play with this thing, the more I like it. I'm trying different tubes. I requested that Marik make it work with 12AT7s, mainly because I've got a bunch of them, and I liked the sound I was getting with a particular old GE one. While he had it, I went searching for a 6072a, because Oliver said I should, but didn't find one. I did find a 6072 (no "a") and recently got a 12AY7. I also realized I had a few 12AU7s. So far, the 12AU7s are winning (one in particular - a GE one), mainly for noise, but also I seem to be getting a fuller sound. Hope I'm not too far out of spec . I have one original Mullard 12AU7 that's currently in my Tonelab SE (sounds good there -- it does). It's a project to dig it out, but I reckon I will soon.