OK! Moving on...

[kojdogg]

Yes... totally badass. I want one

 

[pohaku]

i'm interested to hear what people think of the telefunken m80 dynamic once it gets into circulation.

Actually, so far so good. I got one on Wednesday. I've only plugged it in to see if it worked, but at this point I can say that it is definitely hotter and more present than my MD431 which was up on the stand before. Hope to compare it with my OM-6 and VX-10 this weekend. Personally, I don't care for the chromed grill - too bright for me -- but YMMV. I figure I'll probably use it with a foam wind screen anyway, so it won't much matter. I think there is a black grill available, but it isn't the standard configuration. Ordered it direct from Telefunken. Called late Friday. They shipped it Monday and I got it Wednesday. Great service!

 

[BudgetMC]

Very Cool, Dr. Phil!

 

[Gus]

Nice but it looks like you are missing a part of its sound. Something important looks like it is missing

 

[MartinKantola]

Hi Phil,

exciting, you got me asking a lot of question now!

I think I have exhausted my search for the best vocal mics for my collection. I have built several U47 style mics, which are all amazing sounding.

Which tubes? Including VF14s? Which capsules? Including PVCs?

I have built an Ela M clone and a C12 clone.

Which capsules? Info pleeease!

I have several Royer mics that I have hot-rodded to their limits.

What on earth did you do for hot-rodding these?

Now I am on a different pursuit! I need to build some really accurate pencil and instrument mics. Many capsules available on eBay, but here's where I start the new learning curve: What do you believe are the best SDC mics out there?

You simply MUST try some measurement capsules, you know with 200V polarization voltage etc.

And the cheap Panasonic electrets are not bad sounding with the right electronics. A bit noisy because of small size etc, but I think I have an idea for that...

Martin

 

[PhilGood]

Nice but it looks like you are missing a part of its sound. Something important looks like it is missing

I can't imagine what. It's all to spec. The grill is exact. The capsule is a PK-47 because we didn't have the Soundelux capsule. The badge is the diamond, not the "S" (which I have 2 of) and there's no mic holder. All the components besides the capsule are all factory true.

 

[PhilGood]

Hi Phil,

exciting, you got me asking a lot of question now!


Which tubes? Including VF14s? Which capsules? Including PVCs?

Uh, have you tried to get ahold of a VF14? At $1200 a pop it's not easy. They are all being bought up by studio owners who have real U47s in need of a tube. I have done EF14, EF86, 5840 and 6205 tubes. With these Soundelux e47's the next will be EF184, which are what these mics use. The 5840, 6205 and EF184 plate impedance is almost the same as the VF14, so it can use the same transformer. The capacitance is slightly less, so the high end gets elevated by about 1 db.

I have used a real Neumann M7 that was reskinned with Mylar, I have used Peluso PK47s, Soundelux single sided K47 copies, and I have a friend who makes his own M7's that are darn-right good! I have not used PVC. I'm a hobbyist.

There is no way to make an exact clone of the high end mics. All I can do is get as close as I can and be happy with the end product. I make no claims they are copies, but they're in the ballpark and make good recordings.

I'm happy.

Which capsules? Info pleeease!

As above, plus Peluso and I got ahold of some AKG capsules. I won't say where. I just spoke with another source that has me all excited, but again I can't really divulge.

What on earth did you do for hot-rodding these?

Used higher quality caps than spec'ed, low noise resistors, lowered the filament voltage, used 6205 tube wired like the VF14 would be and used higher quality transformers and capsules. You'd be amazed how good that design is with a really good capsule.

 

[antichef]

that does look awesome -- are we gonna get clips?

 

[PhilGood]

that does look awesome -- are we gonna get clips?

No.


















Ok, maybe.

 

[MartinKantola]

Uh, have you tried to get ahold of a VF14?

Yes I have, but that was a long time ago when it was much easier Just wondering since it's claimed to be one of the key elements of the U47 sound.

The 5840, 6205 and EF184 plate impedance is almost the same as the VF14, so it can use the same transformer. The capacitance is slightly less, so the high end gets elevated by about 1 db.

As for the tube itself, the VF14 has a pretty low noise. It's also designed to deal with underheating. In my limited experience with something like the 5840 these things can be a problem.

I have used a real Neumann M7 that was reskinned with Mylar, I have used Peluso PK47s, Soundelux single sided K47 copies, and I have a friend who makes his own M7's that are darn-right good! I have not used PVC. I'm a hobbyist.

Impressive list! Which one of these did you prefer? Are you talking about Dale? Good news is that Mr. Thiersh now makes and sells PVC capsules, so they are not unobtainable.

There is no way to make an exact clone of the high end mics. All I can do is get as close as I can and be happy with the end product. I make no claims they are copies, but they're in the ballpark and make good recordings.

Good point! Personally I think that building clones and imitating the classics is not the only and perhaps not even the most exciting thing to do. Why stop there?

Used higher quality caps than spec'ed, low noise resistors, lowered the filament voltage, used 6205 tube wired like the VF14 would be and used higher quality transformers and capsules. You'd be amazed how good that design is with a really good capsule.

Oh, I thought you were talking about Royer ribbons, silly me. But the Royer tube circuit, yes. Now I see.

Best,

Martin