Putting D-POWER into SM57 (or other dynamic)

[mhelin]

http://www.rode.com.au/images_specs/d-powplug specs.pdf
http://www.rode.com.au/images_usermanuals/d-power_inst_man v1.pdf

Anyone to try out this Rode mod?

 

[usekgb]

The Rode D-Power doesn't fit in an SM57 without some pretty serious modification. I just put one in an SM57 this week, and it was a real pain. The result though was worth it. First, you have to remove the original transformer from the SM57. Then, you have to drill/file out the ring that seperates the two sections of the 57 body. Next, solder the capsule directly to the D-Power unit. You must be extremely careful doing this ans there are several surface mount devices on the D-power unit. Finally, insert the D-Power unit and fill the body of the mic with silicone or hot glue to reduce the resonances caused by removing the tranceformer and support ring. It took me about an hour and a half to finish mine. When I tried my mc out, I notices some pre-amp noise. This is probably due top the fact that I had to remove the transformer from the mic, and the output of the capsule is much lower than the output of the transformer. As for the resulting sound........ I am very happy. There is a very noticeable diference between the modified 57 and the stock 57. The modified one has a much wider frequency response, and there is less peakiness in the mid range. Overall, I am very happy, and I'm glad that I did the mod.

Cheers,
Zach

 

[thajeremy]

dont suppose you took pix during the process huh??

 

[usekgb]

I'm afraid not. I was doing it at work in my shop, and didn't have a camera with me. The funny thing is that the D-power has the same XLR mount as the Shure. You would think it would fit. But, looking at the D-power, I don't think that they could have made it any smaller than it is. One nice thing with the D-Power is that it uses an Analog Devices op-amp in the circuit. At least they didn't skimp on quality.

Cheers,
Zach

 

[usekgb]

Well, I've had a few chances to use this mic in the past week, and I have to say that I really like it. It sounded great on percussion. Very dynamic and even sounding. On Rhodes piano, It sounded just like the piano, only louder. I was very impressed. This mic might even replace my favorite Rhodes mic, the EV N/D308. I also used this mic on electric guitar. I'm not sure about this one yet. The guitar set-up was very trebley, and I'm not sure if it was the mic that I didn't like, or if it was the guitar tone that I didn't like. I really need to get this mic on a vocal, and see how it compares to my SM7. Before I added the D-Power, it sounded very similar to the SM7. After, I'm not sure yet. It definately doesn't sound like an SM57 anymore. The problem is, I usually use my Audix OM5's on vocals because they have more feedback rejection. The modded 57 picks up quite a bit more stage bleed than my Hypercardioid OM5's, so it is harder to use on a dense loud stage. I'll have to try it the next time I get a softer band with better singers. I'll try to keep everyone posted on the progress of this project.

Cheers,
Zach