looking for info on SDC microphones from the 1970s...

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Hi_Flyer

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This guy I know has sold off most of his studio gear, he has a pair of old SDC microphones that I'm thinking about buying.

I realize that this is a shot in the dark, but my question is this: what are the chances that these mics are decent quality? I don't know the name/model yet, all I know is that they are from the 1970s or 1980s, well before the age of cheap Chinese mics. Since I do not yet know what kind of mics they are, I guess at this point I'm just asking about the general quality of mics from the 1970s and 1980s. I know that in general, home studio gear was much more expensive, but was it necessarily better? Did they make stuff geared toward the semi-pro market? Do SDC microphones age well? Do the electronic components deteriorate or anything like that?

I'm gonna check them out and he's gonna let me test drive them (that is borrow them for awhile), so I'll be able to post a picture. I may need help identifying them when I get more info.
 
Hi_Flyer said:
I don't know the name/model yet, all I know is that they are from the 1970s or 1980's...
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I'd seriously recommend you find out the manufacturer and model before asking anyone to speculate on the possible quality of the mics. They could be anything from diamonds to doorstops, and without knowing what they are it's impossible to even make a wild guess.
 
as a rule, the equipment back then was made with much higher quality control standards in place.Everyone and their mother wasnt trying to make mics that "sound like neumanns without the price tag :rolleyes: " There is some degradation of the components over time, but of course it all depends on how well he kept them, what sort of enviroments, humidity, etc..the biggest enemy of microphones is condensation. I dont think the semi-pro market was large back then..and most gear was made for professionals(audio technology is more accessible to everyone now because of the interweb and computer and digital technology) . I have a AKG C33E from 1972 that is EXCELLENT in terms of condition...I find it odd that he doesnt tell you what kind they are...

Sure , post it. I can help with identification.

teddy
 
OK, finally got these today... It looks like they're some kind of TOAs. Possibly K1s? A google search on "TOA K1" didn't turn up too much info...

They are almost 8" long, dark grey in color, with black bands near the top and in the middle. Writing on the top band says "fixed charge cardioid" and then "K1" (or at least I think its a "K", as its kind of a weird character). Writing on the band in the middle says "TOA", "made in japan", "imp. 250 ohms".

There is a compartment for a AA battery.

There is a three-position switch near the bottom. It looks like the three positions are "M" "V" and "off". I don't know what this does, although I doubt it has a selectable polar patter, so my guess is one of these positions is a low freq roll-off? Or maybe a pad?

Judging by their appearance, they have seen considerable use. I'm gonna try to get some pics up.
 
OK, lets see if the pics work...
 

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Hi_Flyer said:
There is a three-position switch near the bottom. It looks like the three positions are "M" "V" and "off". I don't know what this does, although I doubt it has a selectable polar patter, so my guess is one of these positions is a low freq roll-off? Or maybe a pad?
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Probably the bass roll-off, with the M standing for "Music" and the V standing for "Voice".

Have you tried them? How do they sound to you?
 
I haven't tried them yet, I probably won't get a chance until tomorrow evening...

The guy wants $150 for the pair. Do you guys think thats a fair price?

Thanks for the link Bigray. I can't seem to find these mics on either their current list of products or their discontinued list of products...
 
google searches are starting to turn up some info now... apparently they aren't that great, they're some kind of electret condenser, which is not a "true" condenser... What exactly does "electret" mean?

I wanted a pair of SDC overheads, I don't think these are gonna cut it. Maybe they'll make a decent instrument microphone. I'll have to try them on my guitar amp tomorrow. I wish I had an acoustic to try them out on. Maybe they'll sound OK on toms.
 
looks like the Blues Brothers were using them as overheads on tour... :D
 
A "true" condensor uses phantom power to charge the capsule. In an electret condensor the capsule is permanently charged and phantom power only runs the mics internal preamp/impedence converter. This is not a measure of how good a mic it is. AT4033's are electret mics and they're a very serious mic. But these look like a P.O.S.
 
Is it possible for an electret mic capsule to lose its polarization charge over a long period of itme?


sl
 
Over a very long while but yes it does.
 
snow lizard said:
Is it possible for an electret mic capsule to lose its polarization charge over a long period of itme?


sl
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Yes, please don't quote me here but I think the generally accepted rule is 15 to 20 year useful life of electrets?

Any somebody please correct me if I'm wrong!

War
 
again, thanks for the info... I think I will pass on these.
 
Hi_Flyer said:
again, thanks for the info... I think I will pass on these.
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If they sound good at least try and get a better deal from him! If they work for you they may very well be worth it.

War
 
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