Mic Mod Madness (Thread back from the dead!)

[illacov]

I had a thread talking about the MXL 9000 and the mods I'd done to it along with other mics. When gearslutz had its maintenance the thread disappeared even though it was several days old.

The mods so far are upgraded 12AT7 tube from Groove Tubes, Oktava MK319 capsule, extra grill removed and 1000pf capacitor upgraded to higher voltage 630V to be exact with a mylar gumdrop capacitor.


I had an MXL 990, that I upgraded with a Peluso CEK12 capsule and the Gus mod to the 3 capacitors along with a grille mod.

A Behringer B1 with an MXL V76t capsule and grille mod.

An MXL V67i with grille mod, awaiting a new possible transformer.

Anyway to catch up I just got done ordering my Jensen JTDBEU with Dave Hill at Jensen. Dave Royer apparently said this was a good transformer for my intents and purposes.
The Jensen transformer is going into the MXL 9000 mic.
The price was cool Dave Hill is a very nice guy to speak with I recommend them thoroughly just based on their customer service aspects alone.

I also inquired about upgrading the transformer on my V67i mic which uses a v67 capsule with a transformer and he said he'd shoot an email to Dave Royer to see what he thinks.

I would post some pictures but that function is dead for now, when I get the time Ill throw some external links up with sound clips and pics.

Stay tuned!

Peace
Illumination

[illacov]

Waiting for my transformer!

Jensen JTDBE/U

Tick tick tick!

Peace
Illumination

[illacov]

Ok so the Jensen transformer came finallly and I installed it into the MXL 9000.

First off since this will be of great help to all you mod freaks out there, the pinout is as follows for the MXL 9000.

For the input section of the transformer, the thick Black wire is the positive lead, and the thick green wire is the positive lead.

For the output section of the mic, the thick White wire is the positive lead and the thick Red wire is the negative lead.

There is a run to ground from the circuit board to the xlr 7 pin output. The 7th pin is tied to ground itself so what I did is run the ground wire on the jensen to this ground bridge and grounded the capsule.

Then using Dave Hill's email I wired up the right connectors to their matching counterparts on the MXL 9000.

I will again mention that a digital camera is your friend before you do anything take PICTURES of the wiring on the MXL pcb board before you start manipulating anything.

The wires on the pcb are very fragile and will break off with too much movement, so in case one or two or three break away, have a picture that clearly shows where wires are soldered.

My can would not close all the way with the new transformer installed so I used electrical tape to close the gap.

Here are my opinions with the new transformer installed.

At first I thought I did something wrong because the mic was pretty noisy upon first testing it, but then realized I had not let the mic warm up sufficiently so I was hearing microphonics.

Once the mic was "warm," I heard an immediate difference in noise floor and also that the frequency response of the mic had changed for the better.

Ok once the mic was operating correctly, I noticed this.

The noise level was gone. I heard no noise with tons of gain.

There was no longer any false highs and there was also the immediate absence of bass buildup when moving in close. Instead there was a real proximity effect and a real treble response from the mic.

It sounded much more like an Oktavamod but on steroids.

The mic takes eq much better now and it has more of a mellow/dark/velvety vibe that I was hoping I could get out of that Russian capsule (Oktava MK319).

It sounds stupendouse on hip hop/pop/r and b vocals but of course that's an opinion.

It will definately be like my A or B mic once I get my Peluso modded V76t mic back from John Peluso.

For now we can begin recording without any concerns for lack of quality. I still have my modded 990 with the CEK12 capsule and Gus Smalley mod. Between those two mics we have alot of ground covered alone, the Peluso mod will be the added 3rd dimension for us.

Once I have some stuff recorded I can let you hear the difference. I recorded some vocals over a hip hop instrumental before I had the Jensen installed but with the MK319 capsule and Groove Tubes 12AT7 installed, plus the upgraded capacitor. I'll record the same verse with the same mic + the Jensen transformer so you can hear it in action.

Peace
Illumination

[Jidis]

Originally Posted by illacov

A Behringer B1 with an MXL V76t capsule and grille mod.

Hi,

A post I saved of yours has the B1 housing an Oktava MK319 capsule. You changed it I guess?

Also, are these capsules just leftovers from other mods or is there something worthwhile out there that you can actually purchase to swap into a B1 (relatively inexpensive of course)? I'm also looking for cardioid capsules you could hack onto their C2s if there is such a thing. I got them and the B1 from someone for cheap and I'm not satisfied with the "matching" between the two C2s. I wanted to try some of the mods everyone likes on them, but one of them is noticeably sharper sounding than the other. I guess it's a typical case of "you get what you paid for".

Thanks!

[illacov]

Originally Posted by Jidis

Hi,

A post I saved of yours has the B1 housing an Oktava MK319 capsule. You changed it I guess?

Also, are these capsules just leftovers from other mods or is there something worthwhile out there that you can actually purchase to swap into a B1 (relatively inexpensive of course)? I'm also looking for cardioid capsules you could hack onto their C2s if there is such a thing. I got them and the B1 from someone for cheap and I'm not satisfied with the "matching" between the two C2s. I wanted to try some of the mods everyone likes on them, but one of them is noticeably sharper sounding than the other. I guess it's a typical case of "you get what you paid for".

Thanks!

Yeah I gave the MK319 a spot in the B1 for a while but it was terrible after giving it a few sessions worth of B Mic on Overheads and guitars.

Its much much much better where its at in the MXL9000. Having a transformer in the signal path made a big difference, but the tube itself was a big change too.

As far as cheap mods to the B1 there's always the "U89" style capsule that Peluso sells. Some people have mounted that into the B1 before and they liked the results, pretty bright pop style vocals mic.

I think its the CEK89 (single sided) it costs 120 bucks on Peluso's site. I believe you would have a sound similar to the Blueberry with that capsule in there. The circuit itself is not bad and the parts for the circuit are not cheap in the B1. So aside from swapping the capsule out for the Peluso you could definately find some improvement with removing those inner grille layers.

If anything you would have a way better mic than two B1s combined!

For 120 bucks its worth the investment if this would be your first mod attempt.

PM me if you need help.

Peace
Illumination

[Beyersound]

I see that you have a V76t capsule about. Have you done any mods to that mic? I have one that I swapped a Mullard 4024 tube into and I really like the sound. Just wondering what other successful mods that people have done on that unit.

[illacov]

Originally Posted by Beyersound

I see that you have a V76t capsule about. Have you done any mods to that mic? I have one that I swapped a Mullard 4024 tube into and I really like the sound. Just wondering what other successful mods that people have done on that unit.

Tube swap (mullard tube), Triad mic transformer, Peluso PK67 capsule, 1000pf capacitor 630v, grille mod. DOPE!

[Jidis]

Illacov-

Thanks. I remember reading about mods using that CEK89. Sounds like that would be a decent way to go when I mess with it, but I'm in no hurry. I didn't even realize that Peluso place is not far from me. I should drive there and fish through their dumpster sometime.

The self noise from that B-1 was really bad when I tried it, along with the overall crunchy sound of the mic, but I didn't check it on many pre's, so maybe it has a preference. From what I read, those C-2's use a Transsound element (JLI Electronics), but buying two of them would likely be about half the cost of the mics, so I figured I'd wait and see if there was a better, more expensive capsule which might be a more rewarding upgrade. Only swap info I could find on them was someone who hacked some old Teac capsules onto them, but it didn't sound like something I could find nowadays.

Take Care,

George

[iomegaman]

Hey I noticed you said "For the input section of the transformer, the thick Black wire is the positive lead, and the thick green wire is the positive lead."

Do you mean the green is negative?

I am doing this mod following your lead, pics would be appreciated if possible, I have not changed out the capsule, not sure I will until I listen first, and if I do might need some advice as to a recommended replacement for the MXL's existing capsule.

thanks for your cutting edge-ness.

[illacov]

Originally Posted by iomegaman

Hey I noticed you said "For the input section of the transformer, the thick Black wire is the positive lead, and the thick green wire is the positive lead."

Do you mean the green is negative?

I am doing this mod following your lead, pics would be appreciated if possible, I have not changed out the capsule, not sure I will until I listen first, and if I do might need some advice as to a recommended replacement for the MXL's existing capsule.

thanks for your cutting edge-ness.

Yes the green is negative, my bad.

BTW, I took that Jensen out. Sent it back. That thing was WAAAY too low on gain.

Called up Cinemag and got a CM9711, I think that's what it is. WHOA MOMMA!

This mic is the SHIT now!

I'm talking like Biggie Smalls Ready to Die vox. Insane! It totally changes the way my signal chain sounds now! Yamaha PM1000 rack to dbx 263x de esser to dbx 163 compressor to ART Pro Vla tube compressor to DAW.

The mic can go from just intimate and clear to really warm old school now. Takes eq much much better now. Oh my goodness I love this thing!

Peace
Illumination

[illacov]

Next mod is a transformer swap on the MXL V67.

I have a Stancor 1.78:1 transformer that I'm putting into the V67. Apparently this thing is supposed to be a really good transformer.

I will keep you posted.

Peace
Illumination

[iomegaman]

Cinemag site appears to be down...