Small Diaprhagm Condenser Capsules

[craigmorris74]

I am considering buying a small diapragm condenser microphone with interchangeable capsules.
Most of the mics I'm looking at are 22 mm in diameter. Can I use different manufacturer's capsules with the mic body I purchase?

The reason I'm asking is I'm thinking about buying a cheap mic, replacing all the guts and putting a really nice capsule on.


Thanks,
Craig

 

[Obi-Wan zenabI]

My complete shot-in-the-dark guess (...full disclosure) here is that the Oktava sdc's have the greatest chance of being compatible with the highest number of capsules.

Seems like I've seen a bunch of capsules available for them, although they have all been Oktava branded.

 

[Robert D]

My complete shot-in-the-dark guess (...full disclosure) here is that the Oktava sdc's have the greatest chance of being compatible with the highest number of capsules.

Seems like I've seen a bunch of capsules available for them, although they have all been Oktava branded.

Red Microphones, a division of Blue, has a LDC capsule for the MK-012 body, and it carries the RED badge. Then there's the LOMO head, which is RTT.

 

[tnjazz]

Generally speaking, capsules from manufacturer A will not be compatible with mic bodies from manufacturer B, even if they are the same diameter.

The contacts may be different, the thread size may be different...

There are VERY few exceptions to this rule. There are only two that I am aware of - Oktava and Red or LOMO is one, Gefell and Josephson is the other.

Something else to keep in mind - the capsule itself is not the whole sound of the mic. The electronics in the body have a lot to do with it too. So putting a nice capsule on a cheap mic body won't necessarily get you much.

 

[craigmorris74]

Right, I had planned on doing something like putting a KM84 circuit in a cheap body, but it sounds like compatibility is limited.

 

[tdukex]

The Oktava already has a nice sounding circuit. Harvey Gerst uses a LOMO head on his and has never felt the need to "upgrade " the circuit, although there is a mod at Oktavamod.com.

Also, OktavaUSA.com has several larg caps (including the RED cap) available for the 012 body.

 

[Marik]

I am considering buying a small diapragm condenser microphone with interchangeable capsules.
Most of the mics I'm looking at are 22 mm in diameter. Can I use different manufacturer's capsules with the mic body I purchase?

The reason I'm asking is I'm thinking about buying a cheap mic, replacing all the guts and putting a really nice capsule on.

Yes, you can, and it is very doable, but you need to figure out a couple things:
1) Mechanical-different diameter, thread pitch, etc.
2) Electronical--many of the SD capsules need different diaphragm bias.

I did it with a gutted SP C4 20mm body, which with special brass adapters cut on a lathe (real PITA to make, BTW) can accept B&K 1/2" capsules, Gefell M70/M94, AKG CK61/62, Oktava 012, and of course, original C4s.

I use 4 pin XLRs, where the capsule bias comes from pin 4 and is selected between 35V and 200V from tube pre.

 

[craigmorris74]

Marik, thanks for the reply. Making a brass adapter is probably out of my league, though.

 

[ausrock]

What Marik does is beyond most people here .

 

[scaldia]

capsules and ribbon happy cohabitation

Yes, you can, and it is very doable, but you need to figure out a couple things:
1) Mechanical-different diameter, thread pitch, etc.
2) Electronical--many of the SD capsules need different diaphragm bias.

I did it with a gutted SP C4 20mm body, which with special brass adapters cut on a lathe (real PITA to make, BTW) can accept B&K 1/2" capsules, Gefell M70/M94, AKG CK61/62, Oktava 012, and of course, original C4s.

I use 4 pin XLRs, where the capsule bias comes from pin 4 and is selected between 35V and 200V from tube pre.

you dealt with the subject of small capsules in a different thread namely to mention pianorecordings with SP C4 omnis+jecklin disc in combination with a ribbon mic. I presume SP stands for Studio Projects ?
The recordings sound great, Wagner,Bach, Glinka. Could you give some details on the distance of the Jecklin configuration to the piano and further how the ribbon was placed ? Who is the manufacturer of the ribbon or can it not be revealed. I used Schoeps MK 5 for piano. Acoustic conditions must be exceptionnally good (not always the case); the scenefloor reasonnably dampened pedals could be quit noisy. If not these mics reveal everything