M7 capsule - gold flakes

[payne104]

btw... the wind noise didn't change at all from what I can tell

[jcc449]

Originally Posted by payne104

btw... the wind noise didn't change at all from what I can tell

I don't think dust can be removed by water lol. The mini brush or mini vacuum machine can do better. Water usually just turn dust into stain.
Even a tape can remove dust better too.
Also, if wind noise is not caused by the dust, It can be mic parts not fitting in completely (small parts might be twisted after long usage) .the worst situation will be the circuit that caused the problem. That's where it really cost you.

[RedTuxedo]

Originally Posted by jcc449

I don't think dust can be removed by water lol. The mini brush or mini vacuum machine can do better. Water usually just turn dust into stain.
Even a tape can remove dust better too.
Also, if wind noise is not caused by the dust, It can be mic parts not fitting in completely (small parts might be twisted after long usage) .the worst situation will be the circuit that caused the problem. That's where it really cost you.

DO NOT USE TAPE!!

That wind noise can be caused by dust. Getting it off correctly is the key and could have fixed the problem.

Though I think the damage is done. Sorry to say. The softest of brushes would have been the best idea.

Probably need to get it re-skinned or find a new capsule.

Try replacing the tube at least (with a Telefunken EC92).

BTW, this is THE ultimate flute mic IMO.

[payne104]

Originally Posted by RedTuxedo

DO NOT USE TAPE!!
Probably need to get it re-skinned or find a new capsule.
.

New m7 seems to go for $2000 so that's pretty much out of the question right now... The mic still sounds quite nice after the botched cleaning attempt.... just still the wind noise, but it's not an unpleasant noise really

What goes into reskinning a capsle like this? I'm guessing it's not cheap

[RedTuxedo]

Originally Posted by payne104

New m7 seems to go for $2000 so that's pretty much out of the question right now... The mic still sounds quite nice after the botched cleaning attempt.... just still the wind noise, but it's not an unpleasant noise really

What goes into reskinning a capsle like this? I'm guessing it's not cheap

If you knew that, why did you try this before asking around? Sorry to throw sand in your face...

There are a few well know people that can reliably re-skin a capsule... though I don't know them off the top of my head. Hopefully someone will chime in. I'd still swap the tube. It might fix the problem.

As far as what goes into re-skinning a capsule? Are you wanting to have a go at it yourself?

If you can even get in contact with Klaus Heyne's, he is the top tier. But good luck.

How much will it cost from him? As much as it costs....

[payne104]

anyone know of a mic with a capsule in this shape that still sounds great??

I'm doing some testing and it still seems to sound as good or better than before those gold flakes came off

How would you expect damage like that to affect the sound?

I'm kind of freakin out about this

[R-AP.SCI]

Good day...perhaps this can be of some assistance...

Yes the wind noise COULD be a dirty capsule but it can also be a failing tube (which wouldn't be unheard of in older mics)...the UM57 uses an EC92 triode which can be replaced with nominal relative skill. Yes microphone diaphragms can still function properly with that kind of "damage"....the gold is there to receive the polarization voltage creating an electrode out of the mylar or pvc diaphragm....(M7's can be made of mylar but are usually pvc and if yours is the original capsule then it is pvc)...so unless an enormous percentage of gold has been removed such that conductivity ceases you shouldn't experience too many if any deleterious effects.

However being that M7 capsule are glued to the backplate, depending upon the pressure used, coming into direct contact the membrane can also have unforeseen affects upon its tension...

...While my aforementioned statements hold themselves to be technically true in a purely statistical sense, it is far and beyond an unacceptable state for such a capsule to be in. Good news for you...Mr. Siegfried Thiersch, who is of former Gefell employ can easily reskin your capsule, lovingly, with authorized care...(he is currently, as far as I know, the only authorized Gefell capsule technician). His turn around times are fast, his service and worksmanship are top-notch, his rates fair (lower than 2k for a rediaphragming...actually lower than 2k for an entirely new capsule...more in the neighborhood of $4-500...however don't quote me on that & please contact him for accurate & current rates) and one of the only few in the world who still work with pvc. He is a world recognized authority (Mr.Heyne many times outsources to him, as does Tele-usa and many others)...

Thiersch elektroakustik

...contact him and you should be pleasantly surprised.

capsule work should be treated very delicately, and really should be performed by technicians with the appropriate tools. The gold applied to the diaphragm is only a few angstroms thick in some cases and gold doesn't hold especially well to mylar in the first place (some use a nickel substrate first for better adhesion then gold on top), making it quite easy to remove.

I hope this was of some help, good luck.

[SP2016]

The "wind noise" you describe is the typical noise of a bad tube.
Change the tube first before doing anything with the capsule.
And: A tube replacement is much cheaper that repairing/replacing the capsule.

[payne104]

I replaced the tube not long ago with a NOS RCA. This maybe isn't the best tube in the world, but I doubt it it causing the noise I am hearing, but who knows.

[Matti]

Thiersch elektroakustik
Send it to him for re-skinning -it will not be 2000$ as a new one made by him would be cheaper.
And yes the wind noise is probably sign of a tube going bad

Matti

P.S. Didnt notice you already got this same advice

[payne104]

thanks for the tips... I'll contact them for a quote and pray that it is within my budget

[payne104]

I think the fx I had on the vocal channel were making that wind sound louder... cause on a dry track it's not really noticeable at all

[Matti]

What you can clean is the contacts of the tube and general cleaning around the electronics, dirt can let some voltages creep to wrong places

Matti

[payne104]

how do I clean the contact points? Should I use isopropyl?

[Matti]

That would be ok, but not for the capsule,lol

Matti