Glued Diaphrams on LD mics

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dan DA
  • Start date Start date
I'm about 35 miles inland from the ocean and the barometric pressure trend changes back and forth all the time, and changes over a range of about 29.60 to 30.35 inches or so each year. From reading the threads I understand that pressure changes could be a major problem for some mic's. I'm still trying to learn more.
 
Well, this begs the question, what does flying do to microphones?
RD
 
So, back to the original question, has anyone noticed degradation in these mics? Is it something to be concerned about?
 
Dan DA said:
Also, does anyone know if the Studio Projects B-1, or the MXL 603s and 990 have glued (and screwed) diaphragms?
Click to expand...

All of the Studio Projects capsules are glued. We would not have it any other way. I will not comment on Marshall because then I am the competitor beating up on another competitor for either doing, or "not" doing something, so I leave the Marshall response to Brent, as he worked for them for many years.

I am glad Brent works for us now, because his hands are no longer tied. We glued his mouth shut, but his hands are free!!!!

Actually, I am very impressed by Brents ability. He is a wonderful asset to our engineering staff.
 
Thanks for the info Alan. Would you consider the B-1 appropriate for use as drum overheads? Do you offer matched pairs? I need a pair of low cost mics that can be used for acoustic guitar, vocal and overheads. Although I would like a variety of mics, I can only afford a stereo pair at this time, and would like to get a versatile, long lasting mic.
 
Dan DA said:
So, back to the original question, has anyone noticed degradation in these mics? Is it something to be concerned about?
Click to expand...

Answer 1.
No. I can't say I've noticed any degradation. I have the Studio Projects B1, two B3's, C1, two C3's and I have two Marshall V67G's, two MXL603S's and a MXL990. But, I haven't had any of these mic's for very long.

Answer 2.
I'm concerned, and tomorrow I'm tracking and documenting each mic for future reference.
 
Dan DA said:
Thanks for the info Alan. Would you consider the B-1 appropriate for use as drum overheads? Do you offer matched pairs? I need a pair of low cost mics that can be used for acoustic guitar, vocal and overheads. Although I would like a variety of mics, I can only afford a stereo pair at this time, and would like to get a versatile, long lasting mic.
Click to expand...

The B1's will work very well as overhead pairs. To match them, just ask your dealer to sell you two mics that have the same color dot on the front packaging. Then you will have about as close of a match as you can get these days. The key is getting two of the same color dots.

The B1's will last as long as you want them to. All you have to do is take care of them. Build a mic locker and only set the mic up when you are going to use them. When you do, let them sit in the room for a couple of hours to adjust to the rooms conditions. Do this before you even power them up. Just let them sit for a while on the stand. Remember to turn down all input and output gains before turning on the phantom power, then wait 60 seconds or so to let the mic charge up. Then bring up the gains, and when you turn it off, do the same thing in reverse.

If you do this, they will last 20+ years.
 
Thanks again, Alan. You just about convinced me that the B-1 is the mic I'm looking for. I'm looking on your website for a dealer. Unfortunately, the one closest to me appears to be out of business - their phone line is disconnected. Nobody else within a day's drive. Guess I'll have to mail order.
And thanks for the advice on making the mics last longer. I didn't know the proper procedure for applying phantom power. I've only been using dynamic mics.
 
alanhyatt said:

The B1's will last as long as you want them to. All you have to do is take care of them. Build a mic locker and only set the mic up when you are going to use them. When you do, let them sit in the room for a couple of hours to adjust to the rooms conditions. Do this before you even power them up. Just let them sit for a while on the stand. Remember to turn down all input and output gains before turning on the phantom power, then wait 60 seconds or so to let the mic charge up. Then bring up the gains, and when you turn it off, do the same thing in reverse.

If you do this, they will last 20+ years.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the mic care tips. I'm adding this to the other good mic care tips I've collected from you and others.

There is good stuff is this thread.
 

I REALLY like the sound of my V67Gs a lot (as you well know) and I don't think clamping only will cause catastrophic sound changes in a reasonably stable studio environment, but I'll have to wait till I get mine back from Stephen Paul to see if their 18 month stay there has caused any significant response changes.
[/B]
Click to expand...


If you do notice a difference, please tell us.
 
Now I know about the diaphragms on the Studio Projects mics and the MXL V67G, but I think I missed the information about the MXL 603s. Does anyone here know if the diaphragm is glued on that model?
 
Dan DA said:
Now I know about the diaphragms on the Studio Projects mics and the MXL V67G, but I think I missed the information about the MXL 603s. Does anyone here know if the diaphragm is glued on that model?
Click to expand...
The MXL 603s is a small diaphragm mic and they’re all glued.
 
Actually, I just received an email from Wayne at MXL and he said they are not glued. Sorry, I should have posted that information as soon as I got it.

In response to a question about the 603s stereo kit.

"The capsules are not glued, the mics are within a db of one another and
the warranty is 3 years.
MXL"
 
Last edited:
Dan DA said:
Actually, I just received an email from Wayne at MXL and he said they are not glued. Sorry, I should have posted that information as soon as I got it.

In response to a question about the 603s stereo kit.

"The capsules are not glued, the mics are within a db of one another and
the warranty is 3 years.
MXL"
Click to expand...
You mean to tell me I was WRONG? Gee, how did that happen?!!?;)

Seriously, though, I was basing this on Brent's post above where he stated "The original Neumann M7 capsule, (also known as today's Gefell M7 capsule with better glue) as well as any small diaphragm mic of today uses a bonding agent of some sort to mount the diaphragm to the capsule, or clamping ring." I was in a hurry and didn't have time to track down his quote.

But alas, if MXL sez it's so, then it's so. Anyways, thanks for tracking that down and setting me straight.

Another thing I just thought of... If this is true, then what about the Oktavas?
 
Flatpicker,

I saw the same post you refered to, and I also assumed that all small diaphragm mics were glued.

I was just about to order the 603 stereo kit, and thought I'd ask MXL.

Don't know about the Oktava mics.
 
I prefer vacuum ion-beam welded platinum diafragms.

Sorry: could not resist.

Glueing is something very technical, as is clamping. Both require lots of technical/mechanical/chemical knowledge and can perform as well if being competently designed. Because of the lack of this knowledge and the (ab)use of glue in common daily use it has an inferior ring than mechanical clamping. How many people step every day in a completely glued together airplane?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top