Superlux s502

[victrolasound]

I am, from a profesional point of view, somewhat involved in solder materials (sales). The appearance on the solder joints can also be contributed to the fact that now lead-free must be used. This has a higher melting point and puts some more starin on both components and soldering equipment. Also it does not look as nice and shine as the older lead content solder
All manufacturers should by now have sorted this out, but it is not unthinkable of course that some are still struggling (or just do not want to spend the money on a higher spec solder line..).
Just a guess of course, but to me the re-flowing of the solder on the S502 did solve the problem to date (from last year June)

[heva]

Fragment from choirpractise last night, Breda Cathedral Choir, Hill organ (my own music and playing). Mics at +/- 5m. from choir (choir in fornt of choirorgan).

[mathieujm]

Nice but just like if the organ was an electronic one ??

[studer58]

Originally Posted by victrolasound

I am, from a profesional point of view, somewhat involved in solder materials (sales). The appearance on the solder joints can also be contributed to the fact that now lead-free must be used. This has a higher melting point and puts some more starin on both components and soldering equipment. Also it does not look as nice and shine as the older lead content solder
All manufacturers should by now have sorted this out, but it is not unthinkable of course that some are still struggling (or just do not want to spend the money on a higher spec solder line..).
Just a guess of course, but to me the re-flowing of the solder on the S502 did solve the problem to date (from last year June)

If I can ask about the re-flowing idea ? So the melting point temperature of non lead solder is higher than that of lead based ? With such microscopic components, I'm guessing that the smallest possible solder tip is recommended, applied for the shortest time and using an illuminated magifier lens for viewing the circuit board ? Any other re-flowing tips you could post here would be much appreciated ! I have some small gauge lead based solder, could I tin the tip of my iron with that prior to re-flowing ? Are there any hazards with the 2 types of solder becoming mixed on the board...

[studer58]

Maintainence:
Condenser microphone shall be kept in low humidity
environment for best sound performance.
Store the condenser microphones in air-conditioned
room or dehumidifier to keep away form
moisture. Clean air is another important factor.
Keep away from smoking environment to avoid
tar residuals.
------------------------------------------
I just noticed this advisory tucked away at the bottom of the S502 owner's guide. In response what I've done is to pack some small bags of dessicant or silica gel dehydrating crystals in the same case as the mics, and in close proximity to the capsules. I figure they will help to absorb and humidity which finds it's way into the storage box. Now if only I could do the same to the halls where I record using this mic ! Does anyone use these....and if so is there a preference for the dessicant material (there are range of agents including lime, silica gel, clay particles) Here is an example of the product type: Desiccant Sachets - Pack of 5

[boojum]

Silica gel is the standard. It can be heated to make it fresh again. It will turn a turquoise blue when refreshed. Silica gel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[heva]

Originally Posted by mathieujm

Nice but just like if the organ was an electronic one ??

An original 7stops 1905 William Hill & Sons organ; think RollsRoyce quality.

But you're right; electronics sound ever more convining

[victrolasound]

Originally Posted by studer58

If I can ask about the re-flowing idea ? So the melting point temperature of non lead solder is higher than that of lead based ? With such microscopic components, I'm guessing that the smallest possible solder tip is recommended, applied for the shortest time and using an illuminated magifier lens for viewing the circuit board ? Any other re-flowing tips you could post here would be much appreciated ! I have some small gauge lead based solder, could I tin the tip of my iron with that prior to re-flowing ? Are there any hazards with the 2 types of solder becoming mixed on the board...

well really the components are not that microscopic
The flow temp. of non-lead solder is around 20-30C higher than typical lead contents solder. Import into the CE should require lead-free soldering on modern electronics.
Not saying that that is an issue here, but possible.

Quote wikipedia: "Lead-free solder problems
In addition to higher material costs, lead-free solder has a higher melting point, slower flow rates, and can sometimes cause leeching in the iron components. Higher melting points and decreased flow rates require a longer contact period (4 – 6 seconds)between the solder and the connections in order for the solder to completely fill the holes. Higher melting points also require a melting pot made of more stable material. The melting pot and ducts also need to be made from material that will prevent dissolution. Replacing those parts in a typical wave soldering machine can cost up to $25,000."

Really, reflowing with a normal, small gauge, iron should work. But of course tred with much caution! You should be somewhat skilled in soldering techniques obviously. Mixing with other soldering tins should not be a problem since we are not talking here about a "strong" contact, just a metallurgic contact, so a melt is a melt
Again not saying that that is a problem in these mics. Just a guess, and it did solve my "noise" problem I had on one of my S502's

"Bon Courage" as the French say

[Jean30]

I would choice 1uF caps rather than 0.1, certainly direct current isolation function or power filtering, so, bigger value is better for low frequencies. resistors are not often the problem, there are strong components, bad melt or low quality capacitors are often the problem. Just choise good quality and correct type of capacitor (tantalium)
50V is very close to 48V and capacitors may have been damaged with phantom power and additionnal static charges.

[AngusF]

I recorded this a couple weeks ago, running my S502 into a Canon XH-A1. Additional cameras were a GoPro Hero2, and a pair of Canon HV30s.

The S502 was at the stage lip, on the same stand as the GoPro. I think the mic did a passable job.

[studer58]

I'm still plagued with a popping sound in one channel that starts off around once every 2 seconds and after around 15 minutes tapers off to once every 3 seconds. However as the 'frequency' diminishes (not the Hz, the often-ness) the loudness/amplitude gets higher. You can see the waveform attached here, the pops are the vertical spikes. I set the mic in it's carry box in a quiet room, the other hashy bits of the waveform are me coming back in the room to check via headphones, so ignore those. Any ideas re fault tracing..ie is it likely to be the mic capsule or the mic-amp circuit components board ?

[studer58]

slight correction...after about the 12 minute point it reduces to around one (louder than earlier) pop every 30-40 seconds.

[Bibster]

Looks like some discharge or so...
Static building up in a capacitor that suddenly goes 'Bzz....t'.
It is not very symmetrical a signal... Maybe something in the power-supply part of the circuit. (Do we have the schematics?)

Strange how it all of a sudden goes from frequent to less-frequent, and not slowly slowing down... But you say the plops get louder than, so the total amount of energy per time is (more or less) the same...


Have you contacted Superlux? Or your supplier? I'm pretty sure they'll replace it, right?

[studer58]

Hi Bibster,

Yes they are definitely not symmetrical, the displacement of the 'pop' waveform is definitely in the upper part of the waveform, unlike music which distributes itself evenly above and below the centre line. The pops get louder over time, beginning about one every 2 seconds at switch-on time and decreasing to once every 30 - 40 seconds after about 12 - 15 minutes.
They are a short, bassy 'pop' rather than a click. There is no schematic yet available as far as I know.

I have sent the screenshot of the waveform to Superlux, plus an mp3 audio file of the pops as well. They are currently scratching their heads and puzzling over it....

[Bibster]

Good to hear, Studer58. Hope they find what it is , and give you a new one...
No trouble so far with mine (Crossed fingers!).

[amfortas2006]

Maybe its not the microphones, but something else in the chain.

[didier.brest]

I encoutered a similar issue with a new S241 the mono version of the 502: noise bursts. I just send it back to Thomann for exchange and got another one that is OK.

[studer58]

Originally Posted by amfortas2006

Maybe its not the microphones, but something else in the chain.

There is no chain...it's mics straight into recorder, which has onboard/inbuilt phantom powered mic preamps ! Records to SD card, and that's the waveform you see reproduced a few posts above here, which corresponds perfectly with what I hear over headphones while monitoring the recording. It's similar enough to other's experiences with Superlux mics (both this model and others in the line) that I thought the company should be made aware of it. I'm just now listening to a pair of Line Audio CM3 mics plugged into the same recorder, same gain levels etc and no pops at all...so that eliminates the 'recording chain' from the list of possible causes.

[heva]

I've had a S502 replaced by Thomann, which gave the low noise/rumble when I used it one night with quite high humidity. Since storing it in plastic zip bag with a silicagel bag, no more issues; it's perfectly usable for hours on.

[studer58]

Thanks for that advice heva. However when I did the test which resulted in the popping and generated the waveform posted above, at the end of the recording (when popping was reduced to every 40 seconds or so) I brought the mic close to my mouth and exhaled over the capsule slowly, surrounding it with moist air. You would assume this would increase the local humidity in the air close to the capsule to around 100%...but there was no increase in the popping.
So, humidity doesn't seem to have been a factor in this case ?
I will try your silica gel suggestion, it certainly can't do any harm...but i suspect that humidity is not the cause ?

[heva]

One thing to note that puzzles is me is that the first S502 I had, had removable capsules (with a thread), I've posted pictures before. The replacement one has the capsules somehow fixed (maybe glued/soldered somehow). Can't see how and why that would be.

Still, my no-budget studio is happy with it ;-)

[Bibster]

Some modding and mk12 comparision going on right next door...

[didier.brest]

Originally Posted by Bibster

Some modding and mk21 comparision going on right next door...

MK 21 is Schoeps. At next door, it is MK-012 from Oktava...

[Bibster]

Originally Posted by didier.brest

MK 21 is Schoeps. At next door, it is MK-012 from Okatava...

Zut! Sorry for my typo!

[studer58]

Latest feedback on the popping sound in 1 side of my S502..Superlux are unable to replicate the problem in their factory/lab. So they are suggesting that I return it to the retailer I purchased it from under warranty and get a replacement. Does this sound fair or reasonable to readers here ? I guess my question is, are they correct to assume it's an occasional, non-endemic problem with the S502...in other words likely to be a rogue sample, and therefore better dealt with via dealer replacement than factory repair ?

[boojum]

Originally Posted by studer58

Latest feedback on the popping sound in 1 side of my S502..Superlux are unable to replicate the problem in their factory/lab. So they are suggesting that I return it to the retailer I purchased it from under warranty and get a replacement. Does this sound fair or reasonable to readers here ? I guess my question is, are they correct to assume it's an occasional, non-endemic problem with the S502...in other words likely to be a rogue sample, and therefore better dealt with via dealer replacement than factory repair ?

Not everyone who owns these mics is having your problem, though a few are. It could b a bad batch/parts from a supplier's bad batch. I'd get the replacement - it is free - and see what happens. There have been others who have DX'ed them and their new mics worked fine.

Good luck. The mic does seem good when it does not have this problem.

[panatrope]

Originally Posted by studer58

Latest feedback on the popping sound in 1 side of my S502..Superlux are unable to replicate the problem in their factory/lab. So they are suggesting that I return it to the retailer I purchased it from under warranty and get a replacement. Does this sound fair or reasonable to readers here ? I guess my question is, are they correct to assume it's an occasional, non-endemic problem with the S502...in other words likely to be a rogue sample, and therefore better dealt with via dealer replacement than factory repair ?

The rate of failure is higher than I would expect to see, but my experience with receiving my first S502 displaying such symptoms was that it was promptly replaced (by Thomann) and the replacement unit has performed without failure for the last six months.

The other good thing with returning faulty units is that it allows a good company to analyse the failed units to determine the cause and take corrective action in future production. Unless the units are fairly costly items, it is unusual for them to be repaired.

(Some manufacturers of expensive ($1000+) items will repair and offer them as 'refurbished' at a lower price - if they have been put through the same quality control as the original production, they are a good buy because they are also less likely to experience early failure.)

[dgpretzel]

Did we ever learn the identities of the samples presented in post #18?

Thank you.

DG

[didier.brest]

1 = Oktava
2 = DPA
3 = Superlux