Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_Joly  Design Goal: Transform Chinese sound to classic, midrange-rich "Neumann-esque" voicing
Based on its published frequency response curve, and the generally positive user comments about the MXL V67g, I set out on a journey to bring the V67g from its Chinese realm into the land of OktavaMod Sound. While I had high hopes, I had no idea just how "Neuman-esque" the V67 would turn out to be once modified. The OktavaMod MXL V67g has all the balanced characteristics that define my LDC mic goals - powerful extended bass with musically-useful proximity effect, authoritive lower midrange without congestion, detail-rich midrange with deep reach and resolution and a clear, present top end free from low-cost mic harshness and sibilance.
Summary -
I should mention the MXL V67g is a two-transistor design (FET / Bipolar) while the Oktava MK-319 is an elegant one-FET design. Because of this difference the V67g has a couple of dB higher self-noise which is audible in the midrange on very quiet sources, but it is far quieter than a typical 1/4" capsule mic like a Naiant or other "measurement" type mic. To its credit, the gain structure of this mic is well balanced once the FET has been re-biased for optimum operating level. Soft "tube-like" clipping occurs in the FET first instead of in the bipolar transistor which would produce hard and harsh-sounding clipping. I ran extensive frequency response, harmonic distortion and phase response tests of the output transformer in the V67g and found it to be entirely satisfactory for use in the MXL V67g circuit - it actually adds hard-to-describe euphonic qualities of "transformer heft" to the mic's voicing.
Until I got deep into the work of transforming this Chinese mic I had no idea it would reveal the sonic heritage hiding in its Neumann K67-copy capsule. I believe the results are strong enough to add the OktavaMod MXL V67g to a short list of budget mic contenders for the title of "go to" LDC mic. |
...So Michael...if I understand correctly, you used the original capsule and transformer in this mod...then what would be your fee to do the mod as tested?...and I was wondering if you've ever looked inside an Se 2200A...a few years back I was doing some research on that mic and came across some information that revealed that the V67G, the Joe Meek JM47 and the Se 2200A were all based on the same capsule and circuit design...the differences between the mics were essentially the quality of the components and the Se clearly had much better circuitry, caps (Japanese) and transformer...I ended up in a debate on HR.com with Alan Hyatt making a case for the Se's superior construction to the Joe Meek version:
does anyone use Joemeek Microphones? - Home Recording
...any thoughts?...