Homemade Elam 250 and issues...

[PhilGood]

OK, so I finished my latest project. I used the schematic from a Telefunken Elam 250/251. I took an MXL V67, sliced the frame, brazed longer supports to it, and ordered new tubing, which I had machined into a longer body. I made a printed circuit board based on the schematic and installed parts as close to the specifications as I could get. I made the power supply a little different and added extra filtering to reduce noise. I used a 6072A tube, 797 dual diaphragm capsule and a Cinemag transformer. I know the C12 capsule is 90% responsible for the Elam sound, however...

The mic sounds fantastic!!

EXCEPT ...

It is slightly sibilant. Any ideas why? Harvey? Marik?

I've only done one test so far and the guys technique was not great. Maybe I should try other people?

Does the AKG C12 or TF Elam have this problem with some singers?

 

[kidvybes]

...Hey Phil...how about some pics or even an audio file for this one...I'm really curious to see what you've done...do you think the sibilance issue is a "circuit" based problem, or rather a "structural" based problem (grill, capsule, etc.)...I'm interested in your findings...good luck with this one!...

 

[PhilGood]

Here's a pic of the finished mic (a little longer than a real Elam).

I'll put together a sound clip tonight of the vocal we tested it on.

Phil

 

[OneRoomStudios]

I used a 797 dual diaphragm capsule...

I know the C12 capsule is 90% responsible for the Elam sound, however...

It is slightly sibilant. Any ideas why?

*disclaimer* This is all speculation....

My guess is that you answered your own question. maybe (if it's not too much money to lay down) check out a Peluso (sp?) capsule? I hear they're light years better than the 797's.

*end disclaimer*

Aside from all that though, very nice job man! It looks sexy, and if it sounds half as good as a 251 you should be pleased as hell. How much money/time did you put into the project btw?

 

[PhilGood]

*disclaimer* This is all speculation....

My guess is that you answered your own question. maybe (if it's not too much money to lay down) check out a Peluso (sp?) capsule? I hear they're light years better than the 797's.

*end disclaimer*

Aside from all that though, very nice job man! It looks sexy, and if it sounds half as good as a 251 you should be pleased as hell. How much money/time did you put into the project btw?

Well, I was going to post a clip, but its all whacked out, so I have to go back to the studio and figure out what went wrong. Something caused the drums to lose all low end. (I'm a drummer and would be embarrased to post a clip where the drums sound like poo.)

I thought about a Peluso capsule, but here's the deal: I bought the 797 capsule, which is the same in the SP T3. That mic sounds pretty good from what I hear. The CK12 capsule has a specific design with a small chamber between the plates. With this, and the CK12 vent configuration, its really the secret to the sound, according to Klaus Heyne, who is a serious mic expert.

The Peluso CEK-12 looks like an AKG CK12 capsule, but uses the same backplates as a Neumann KK67, which is the same as the 797. Peluso just orders the brass work and streches the diaphragms himself and edge terminates it. He's really good at it, but charges almost $200 for a capsule, whereas the 797 is about $75. I figured the cost outweighed the difference, but I may be wrong.

The major cost in this is time. Once I have a good working first mic, the second and third will be easy. I bought enough parts to do several. I would say the cost of the first mic is around $400 in parts including power supply. With a Peluso capsule, it would be around $550 per mic. I know I could buy a premade mic for the same, but I LOVE do-it-yourself. Its too much fun!

The singer on the track is my guitarist. Its his first attempt at lead vocals, and he was inches away from the mic (like 4-5). A professional singer may not have the same problem.

Oh what the hell. I'll post it anyway. Forgive the drums sounding like crap. Its still a work in progress. (and a rather large file)

 

[PhilGood]

Uuuugh! This whole recording sounds like crap!! I just played it in my car! I don't know what went wrong. The last mix didn't sound like this!