Modding a CAD GXL3000 Microphone (help needed) w/pix

  • Thread starter Thread starter ScottSelfridge
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ScottSelfridge

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I've been Modding a CAD GXL3000 LDC.
So far I've put in a Peluso CEK-367 capsule and pulled the mesh windscreen out. The "easy stuff".
I'd like to up grade the caps and maybe the resistors, but have no idea what I'm doing. Any advice as to what caps are upgradable.
Also, I'd like to put a Cinemag Transformer on the output.
Any ideas? Is it usually a 5:1 tranny?
Thanks for the help.
Cheers! :)
See PIX below
 
Last edited:
NICE! :)
Micpix1_Layer1.jpg

IMG_0005_Layer1.jpg

IMG_0014_Layer1.jpg

micpix4_Layer1.jpg
 
Can't really tell without a schematic, but it looks like C7, C4 and C3 should be replaced. Tantalium caps are horrible. What are the values on those?
 
There are two ceramic caps that could probably go too. One is C11, the other I can't tell.
Craig
 
PhilGood said:
Can't really tell without a schematic, but it looks like C7, C4 and C3 should be replaced. Tantalium caps are horrible. What are the values on those?
Click to expand...
I don't know if this helps much. I'm not familar with the term "values".:o
Caps_Layer1.jpg

C7 looks like it says (+A 22U 20)
C4 (475F* +-)
C3 (6.8 35 +-)
sorry... I'm a newb...
I should probably go out and by a Meter.:o
Thanks for the help Phil.
 
How many sites are you going to post at?

Bad advice about the ceramics they are caps in the DC to DC converter section they don't affect the audio section.

Tants can be OK in that circuit with certain capsules it is TASTE.

Stock transformer is OK if you know how to work with it, it should be about a 1.8:1

Removing screens can sometimes hurt the sound

Don't believe all the stuff you read about modding microphones on the web.

What did you ask for in a capsule? that circuit looks like it might not have the EQ in it I did not see a 220pf.
 
Gus is right about removing the screens. In some cases it can help, in some it can hurt. It is the precise combination of screens and the gauge and spacing of wires and the grill shape that EQ's the U47's presence response.
 
I wanted to sweetin the mic's sound up, a bit.
The Capsule helped out a bunch.
I have yet to test the mic w/o it's mesh screen.
I'm not looking for it to sound like a U47.
I'm more curious to see what it can be or become through changes.
I wanted the CEK-367, because it was leaning towards the Neumann design/sound.
Right now, I would like to lower the noise floor as well as anything extra.
Like giving it a little more low end. Maybe pulling the mesh worked against that. Woops... will see :o
Thanks for all the help and concerns.
From some of the responses, it looks as if there aren't really any caps to replace. That would give the mic more life.
The ones that were recommended are not even in the audio path. Yes?
I guess there's just room for a new Tranny.
I emailed CAD, to see if they'd send me the schematics.
 
If you're going for the Neumann sound, then probably leave the screens in. I only removed them in the mic that I was going for a C12 flavor with.
 
Thanks everyone.
It looks like I'll be ordering a CM-24110 which is 4:1, from Cinemag.
I guess there isn't much to replace in the Caps Dept.
CAD emailed me back with an apology.
Saying they couldn't give me the schematics, due to legal reasons.

Sorry Gus, I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly what you're implying. Forgive me.:o

Could anyone figure out what is in the audio path and if it's worth replacing.
What kind of tones do different caps reveal? Is it a distortion thing?
I've thought about pulling the Low-end rool off and pad, out.
 
ScottSelfridge said:
Thanks everyone.
It looks like I'll be ordering a CM-24110 which is 4:1, from Cinemag.
I guess there isn't much to replace in the Caps Dept.
CAD emailed me back with an apology.
Saying they couldn't give me the schematics, due to legal reasons.
Click to expand...

Heh. Just trace it, it's a good education. There are websites that will tell you how to read cap and resistor values.
 
mshilarious said:
Heh. Just trace it, it's a good education.
Click to expand...

Yeah, from the pictures that looks like a ONE layer board. The holes aren't plated through, so there must not be any internal layers. It would be pretty simple to extract a schematic.
 
I did not post not to change caps, but they are a TASTE issue.

If I was changing parts I might change a few things

If you google etc you might find schematics mods threads etc at other sites.
 
OK, I stand corrected. This looks like a derivative of the U87Ai circuit, so I opened mine up, and yes there are ceramic capacitors in the DC to Dc converter portion of the circuit. No tantalum caps, though. Another difference is the U97 uses polystyrene caps at critical parts of the circuit.
Craig
 
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