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Post by jayson on Mar 27, 2015 10:43:58 GMT -6
Okay, time for a little update. I pulled the trigger on all of the stuff on the 18th. So far I've only received the Mouser components, everything else is backed up - but I have to admit I'm getting pretty psyched. It's looking like I might not actually see the other parts for a little while yet so I might have to do another build to take my mind off it; damn that urge for instant gratification! I think that might be the reason I was originally hoping to find a cohesive kit...now I have to feel like a kid a week before Christmas for another month or so!
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Post by jayson on Mar 27, 2015 10:19:06 GMT -6
Where are you seeing $20 for new Hakko tips? That's robbery! Check eBay they'll be MUCH cheaper. I've got a Hakko 936/907 on my bench at work that I picked up in 1997; I've never changed a tip on it - still has the factory original chisel tip - and it gets used A LOT! I like it enough that I got another one to use in my home workshop when I heard it was being discontinued. I just picked up a bunch (I think it was a 12 pack) of assorted new tips for it on ebay for 12.00. I only did that because I needed a finer point tip for soldering together some GAR2520s. Here's a listing for a similar multi-pack that even includes a 907 handle for $17.00
If you already have a 936 or other Hakko power supply that will work with it your already good to go and all you spent was $20!
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Post by jayson on Mar 27, 2015 6:15:08 GMT -6
My doctor got me started using this stuff 10 years ago after a sinus infection literally almost killed me: www.armandhammer.com/personal-care/nasal-care/Products/simply-saline-sterile-saline-nasal-mist.aspxIt's sort of like using a netti pot but through an atomizer and without all the mess and hassle. I keep a can at my desk and grab a quick snort out it 5 to 10 times a day and I haven't had so much as a hay fever day ever since. Saved me a lot of cash over using stuff like Flonase or Claratin.
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Post by jayson on Mar 27, 2015 5:32:33 GMT -6
I've read a ton of your posts of yours back over yonder as well, good stuff! Welcome to a much better home than the "other site"! Please, be careful who you share the URL with though- it would be nice if this site didn't turn into "Gearslutz Too" too quickly...I know; growing pains are inevitable, but for now it's really nice to have civil conversations with folks who actually know what they're talking about!
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Post by jayson on Mar 14, 2015 11:47:02 GMT -6
Well, this is not really on my radar. Once the comp kits hit the streets, I plan on not starting anything new until after we get moved to the Nash. Moving to Nashville? Are you gonna change the name of the company to CAPN? If you do you have to come up with THD color module that you could call the "CAPN Crunch". yeah, I know, that was pretty bad.
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Post by jayson on Mar 11, 2015 16:54:22 GMT -6
I'm guessing he's doing stuff like this as sort of an infomercial for his studio, Wincraft.The studio space really looks sweet; gotta love a vaulted ceiling like that. Here's another one he did a couple of years ago of "Can't Find My Way Home" that was evidently shot in the lounge area. Check out the pop from the fireplace at 0:53 - really seems to work! Those mics almost look like they might be DIY 67s
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Post by jayson on Mar 10, 2015 17:32:34 GMT -6
Any of you guys check out that Stevie Winwood vid that's been floating around facebook? Guy's got a serious phalanx of microphones in it.
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Post by jayson on Mar 1, 2015 9:37:36 GMT -6
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Post by jayson on Mar 1, 2015 8:50:40 GMT -6
I think that the old chestnut of an argument that you have to use PT because it is supported in every studio worldwide is becoming a bit of a red-herring. The same is going to be just as true for pretty much any of the DAWs listed in the poll. I certainly don't hear that argument much at video post houses anymore about Avid or Media 100 video systems. Anybody doing video post is just as likely to use a Mac with Final Cut Pro or even a PC with Vegas - with no proprietary hardware at all- as they are to use an Avid Media Composer based system. Personally I'm a bit of a non-conformist; I've never been a huge PT fan. But then again in 1991, when Pro Tools originally came out, I was using an Amiga 3000 computer running Bars and Pipes Pro with a Studio 16 audio interface. Back then Digidesign was kinda the enemy in my world, plus PT didn't support midi and wouldn't for another 10 years.
I can't speak for anybody else, but nowadays I have multiple DAWs installed on my production machines; it's not as if owning the licenses for multiple platforms is that cost prohibitive. I mean what's Logic X, Digital Performer or Cubase cost now - a whopping $200 to $400? Heck, Harrison Mixbus and Reaper are significantly less than that. These days I think most DAWs have more similarities than differences and, for the most part, the price points are reasonable enough that it isn't an outrageous proposition to have most of the prominent ones represented on any good production machine. From the client's viewpoint I would likely make a point to avoid any facility that didn't.
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Post by jayson on Feb 27, 2015 11:13:30 GMT -6
We interrupt this thread to return to a previous digression - I was in Harbor Freight the other day and came across that vice.Inspired by this thread I went ahead and scored one. For $17 why not? I gotta say it ain't a bad little vice compared to the Panavise 396 I've got on my workbench now. My only complaint is that the suction cup base is pretty much useless, I really couldn't get it to stick to anything - even a glass table top. I wouldn't say it disqualifies it though; It's a hefty enough steel base that you could just drill some holes through it and bolt it down easily enough. Have to get off my duff and do a build so I can do a direct comparison. We now return you to the previous thread, all ready in progress.
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Post by jayson on Feb 12, 2015 6:32:29 GMT -6
I don't know how easy it would be to come up with something from scratch, but modifying something could work. There's a lot of photo/video lighting grip equipment that would probably be pretty easy to convert to heavy duty mic stands. A good baby stand with a counter-weighted boom could probably make an exceptional mic stand. My boss had an old Color-Tran light on a Mole-Richardson baby stand he sold a few months ago that I thought would've made an amazing mic stand with a little modification. Even locking booms like this one could be easily converted. Given that these things are designed to hold lighting instruments that could weigh as much as 50 or 60 pounds on the end of a 10 foot boom, they certainly wouldn't have any trouble holding even the heaviest and bulkiest microphones. This is a cheap one that's selling for $35 on ebay, but if you look around you'll find the sky is really the limit with this stuff.
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Post by jayson on Feb 7, 2015 10:08:07 GMT -6
Chunger recently posted that his clone build with Eric's HK67 is close enough with a current production Neumann K870 capsule in another one he built, that the two mics can be used in the studio as a stereo pair, without any obvious hint as to which mic has which capsule: groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=57797.msg742145#msg742145Eric is a great guy...feel free to link him with any questions...I'm currently waiting on his HK47 for my MK-47 build...I already have his HK12 capsule... Very cool. Judging from what I've been reading it sounds like it should be a really good choice right out of the gate. Is it generally a long wait for any of his capsules? I'd like to be able to time it so everything arrives more or less at the same time.
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Post by jayson on Feb 7, 2015 9:44:29 GMT -6
Now ya see, that's the kind of sleazy, deal-breaking stuff I'm talking about. I'll never understand why some schmucks put so much energy into scamming people; it would be a lot less energy to simply do things right in the first place and conduct an ethical business. It's like Wile E. Coyote and his absurd ACME contraptions. Oh well; cross that one off the list. So I'll raise the white flag in the search for a soup-to-nuts kit...let me see if I can get my head around an a-la-carte approach and maybe you folks can tell me what y'all think: I'll start off with SYT-5 gen 2 microphone body kit from Studio 939Then the D-U87L Large PCB and the switch PCB from Vintagemicrophonepcbkit.com (and I guess the Styroflex Capacitor Kit too?)The Mouser BOM for the D-U87LAnd of course the fun stuff; Transformer - maybe an AMI T-13 or Cinemag CM-13113 (or does it make more sense to go with a T-14 or CM-13114?) Capsule - Need some recommendations here - I think I'd like to stick with a K87 type of capsule but WHICH ONE? For the moment let's say TSKGUY's HK87 Does it seem like I'm forgetting anything? Any better choices for components I should check out?
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Post by jayson on Feb 6, 2015 19:42:57 GMT -6
Ahh - here's the link you're referring to; micandmod.com/en/u87-i/45-u87-diy-kit.htmlThat looks like it'd be a pretty good start. I could always swap components out later. In fact, I'm certain I would. Several times. Now, if there's some kind of bad politics here I definitely want to be aware of it and understand it; I don't have any interest subsidizing any kind of unethical commerce hanky panky. It does say on the site that it's "PCB D-U87 by Poctop". Have they stolen a design or skirted his resale policies or something? I do not want to support bad juju - particularly in the DIY world. But I digress... It also lists Cinemag tranny and a Vintage Microphones K87 capsule. I suspect the capsule and tranny may get changed out a few times before I settle on one for the long haul. I wonder if the housing is any good?
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Post by jayson on Feb 4, 2015 14:09:01 GMT -6
First time? Microphone-parts is the easy route, pictures, step by step instructions, no theory required. When you become an expert, you can make your own from scratch. This wouldn't be my first DIY - I feel pretty comfortable building a VP28 or a Hairball for example - but it would be the first mic. I absolutely agree that a complete kit really would be the way to go, nothing wrong with the easy route from where I sit...unless the overall quality of the mic somehow suffers as a result. If what I'd be building was just going to be a compromise I think I'd just as soon buy an off-the-rack mic. I would even be ok with a kit that featured everything you needed for the build except the capsule and tranny - since those items are going to lend themselves more to personal preference and may very well get immediately or eventually switched out for alternatives. It is interesting that you mentioned Microphone Parts, they're kind why I was wondering if it would make more sense to modify something pre-existing. Looking at the Microphone Parts website it doesn't look as if they actually offer an 87 kit these days. The Linear 87 kit is listed there, but as a discontinued product and everything else on the site seems to focus either on modification kits for pre-existing, prosumer mics or individual capsules (am I missing something? ). I've looked at the vintagemicrophonepcbkit and that seems to lead in some tempting directions but it does leave me asking myself a few questions: How accurate is the BOM? Do I need to make any substitutions to what's listed on it? (I'm ok with spending a bit more to get the most optimum components for the build...as long as I know what to get) Is there anything I REALLY need that isn't on it? How robust is the SYT-5 body? and, of course, what's the difference between the L, M and T variants and which is right for me? The upshot is that the sourcing choices are something I really only need to get right once, after that it's just repeating the same steps. Trouble is I'd like to get the recipe right the first time!
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Post by jayson on Feb 4, 2015 7:19:01 GMT -6
So I've been craving doing a mic build and I'm really on the fence as to whether I should just start out with a purpose-made donor body with new capsule/PCB etc - or buy a cheapie prosumer mic and modify the guts. I think, for the moment, I'd really like focus on an 87 clone. I'd say my mic collection already has an satisfactory stock of tube mics (if there is such a thing) and I'd like to get some high grade solid state utility mics in there so I don't find myself wrestling with power supplies and differing multi-pin cables quite so much. The more I consider this project the more I find myself tripping over the same question: start from scratch or mod something pre-existing? So my question here for the folks who've been down this road is what do you think is the better route? This'll be my first mic build so ideally I'd like to find a solution that's easy to source - if not all in one box - that being said I definitely don't want to skimp on quality. Whaddya think? Anybody done both who has preference?
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Post by jayson on Jan 4, 2015 11:51:12 GMT -6
These days a scope can be a pretty inexpensive investment if you want to add one to your tool kit. I recently picked up a nice Tektronix 2245A for a relative pittance on ebay; at 100mHz max bandwidth it's not really the latest & greatest but it's not like I'm going to be calibrating CCDs on 4k video cameras with it. With four channels for basic calibration and troubleshooting of audio gear it goes way beyond what I'm likely need. That being said though, I have yet to do a DIY project that actually required one. Might also be worth it for you to take a look at one of the USB based peripherals but I have no idea what they cost or whether they're worth it.
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Post by jayson on Dec 29, 2014 11:30:56 GMT -6
I wanted to bump this thread a little so I could do some consensus-fishing. Apologies if I'm going a little OT.
I'm thinking I'd like to take a crack at building a few 87 clones but I'm really hoping to source everything through a single vendor as a package. Being a relative noob to DIY this would be a first mic for me, so I'd like to find a really good all-in-one kit to start out with, once I've built one then I'll be a lot more comfortable with shopping around and buying parts a-la-carte. That being said I'm not looking to cut corners on components; I'd really like to build it right the first time but I don't want to make any rookie mistakes in the component scavenger hunt. At least to get my feet wet I'd like to get everything I need in one box. So whaddya think; Is there an amazing soup to nuts 87 kit that really stands out to you?
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Post by jayson on Dec 24, 2014 21:20:55 GMT -6
A pair of those would sure sound nice. Is there any way for them to be linked?
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Post by jayson on Dec 20, 2014 10:53:22 GMT -6
So, I have heard that the op amps can be a bit tricky, should I tackle them second? Is there any tips for a noob? There's always the option of purchasing op amps pre-built which isn't a bad idea if you're just getting started. Probably going to be worth the extra $40 or $50 at least until you have your sea-legs. Like building anything, once you have some experience under your belt it gets a lot easier. Not so much that DOAs are that difficult to build, but the 2520 footprint can be pretty close quarters to work in and it can get a bit tedious, especially if you're just starting to refine your soldering technique. I'd say check out Scott Liebler's Red or Blue Dots or John Hardy 990c+. Then, once you are a bit more confident, it might make more sense to roll your own.
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Post by jayson on Dec 20, 2014 10:34:12 GMT -6
Just checked and now there's at least a landing page that says there's maintenance in progress
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Post by jayson on Dec 14, 2014 13:20:45 GMT -6
Gotta give mention to the Analog Allstars 500 series mini-Pultec. Just finished a pair of 'em and very happy so far! Very pleasant build and a wonderful sounding EQ. If you're on the fence about this one definitely give it a try! groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=46920.0Attachments:
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Post by jayson on Nov 27, 2014 12:05:48 GMT -6
Happy Bird-day everybody! So what's the consensus on the sound of these units? I'm thinking of possibly pulling the trigger on some Rev Ds after I complete the second of a pair of Analog Allstars Pultec clones. Have to say it's a little surprising that there's DOAs in the build. How essential is an extension jig in calibrating? I don't have one yet but this would be a good excuse for me to put one together.
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Post by jayson on Nov 6, 2014 10:07:51 GMT -6
I'm thinking that there's some gear sources that really need to have a status update:
Has anybody been doing any business with AMI since Oliver Archut passed? I was giving some serious thought to his C-12 kits just before he died, since then I've kind of shelved the idea - might be worth a new look if they're back up and running. I have to admit that out of respect I feel a little reluctant to ask.
Also - What's the deal with Drip these days? Have they pretty much bailed out of the market or was that an ugly GS rumor? If you look at the site the only thing it appears they're still producing would be the boards for the Fairchild 670 clone - I think that build might be just a tad over my head! I'd love to do a LA2A or Pultec though.
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Post by jayson on Nov 4, 2014 16:51:04 GMT -6
Careful! I've built three of those things in the last month or two...and, of course, I'll need at least one more so it's an even number! It's like eating peanuts; once you get started putting them together,you don't want to stop!
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