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Post by bluesholyman on Aug 19, 2024 7:59:09 GMT -6
Bought a used KSM44 from a big box instrument center and only discovered after I got it home and worked with it, that there is a ground hum induced if I touch the pattern selector switch. Can touch anywhere else on the mic and its dead quiet. It even records fine, although I need to give it a considerable amount of gain +60dB if I remember correctly to get a signal in the -18dbFS to -10dbFS range in PT.
So, I am pretty sure something is wonky about this mic and after inquiring to Shure about fixing it, they said it would be $700 flat rate. I just can't justify that on this mic, let alone afford that right now. I am still in the return window so back it goes.
I have a KSM32 to use which sounds good and takes a lot less gain for the same levels - another reason I am not going to futz with this 44. I will put my money toward something that works right.
Kinda bummed, but is what it is - really surprised about the repair cost though - I guess they have to do board level repair on it because the replacement board with the switches hasn't been available since 2010.
Bummed.
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Post by doubledog on Aug 19, 2024 8:04:28 GMT -6
bummer. For $700, they probably just swap you out with another refurb mic?
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Post by bluesholyman on Aug 19, 2024 8:16:15 GMT -6
bummer. For $700, they probably just swap you out with another refurb mic? No idea, not affordable right now. I'm already into this mic for $300+, another $700 gets me a brand new KSM44A.....or anything better at $1K, which I can't do now anyway, so returning is really the only option... |
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Post by Dan on Aug 19, 2024 8:23:03 GMT -6
They’re definitely going to send you a new or refurbed KSM44a because repairing the board of a discontinued mic isn’t worth it.
Just return it.
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Post by ironinthepath on Aug 19, 2024 8:52:06 GMT -6
I think returning it probably the best option too, sorry it didn’t work out
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Aug 19, 2024 8:54:46 GMT -6
Bought a used KSM44 from a big box instrument center and only discovered after I got it home and worked with it, that there is a ground hum induced if I touch the pattern selector switch. Can touch anywhere else on the mic and its dead quiet. It even records fine, although I need to give it a considerable amount of gain +60dB if I remember correctly to get a signal in the -18dbFS to -10dbFS range in PT. So, I am pretty sure something is wonky about this mic and after inquiring to Shure about fixing it, they said it would be $700 flat rate. I just can't justify that on this mic, let alone afford that right now. I am still in the return window so back it goes. I have a KSM32 to use which sounds good and takes a lot less gain for the same levels - another reason I am not going to futz with this 44. I will put my money toward something that works right. Kinda bummed, but is what it is - really surprised about the repair cost though - I guess they have to do board level repair on it because the replacement board with the switches hasn't been available since 2010. Bummed. Nailed the pro and con of big box stores in one post. 1) They have no idea how to test or repair or evaluate used gear and their descriptions are utterly unreliable. 2) They let you return it. |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 19, 2024 11:25:44 GMT -6
ground hum when touching a mic usually means the chassis ground/shield is not continuous. For that switch, i haven't seen the inside of a KSM44 - but if it's done properly, the switch should have a bracket/brace that's connected to ground. And signal/circuit ground is usually connected to chassis ground inside the mic or cable (but not always…old AKG mics were weirdos about that IIRC). The pattern switch is operating around a hi-Z area of the circuit, most likely, so if the switch bat (lever) is not properly grounded, then it's basically creating an antenna through the chassis, in an area that's EXTREMELY susceptible. We had this issue with some bad switches where the bat wasn't properly grounded. There's GDIY thread about an issue Shure had with small capacitors that would blow when being exposed to phantom for extended lengths of time. If your board is surface mount there's still a good chance you can replace it. groupdiy.com/threads/shure-ksm27-ksm141-circuitry.61079/This thread also has info on the PCB itself. groupdiy.com/threads/bargain-or-bust.83152/page-2 |
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Post by bluesholyman on Aug 19, 2024 12:45:58 GMT -6
ground hum when touching a mic usually means the chassis ground/shield is not continuous. For that switch, i haven't seen the inside of a KSM44 - but if it's done properly, the switch should have a bracket/brace that's connected to ground. And signal/circuit ground is usually connected to chassis ground inside the mic or cable (but not always…old AKG mics were weirdos about that IIRC). The pattern switch is operating around a hi-Z area of the circuit, most likely, so if the switch bat (lever) is not properly grounded, then it's basically creating an antenna through the chassis, in an area that's EXTREMELY susceptible. We had this issue with some bad switches where the bat wasn't properly grounded. There's GDIY thread about an issue Shure had with small capacitors that would blow when being exposed to phantom for extended lengths of time. If your board is surface mount there's still a good chance you can replace it. groupdiy.com/threads/shure-ksm27-ksm141-circuitry.61079/This thread also has info on the PCB itself. groupdiy.com/threads/bargain-or-bust.83152/page-2Yeah, this one is SMD and the board that this particular cap is most likely on has not been available since 2010. If the boards (there are 3 total) were all available, I'd probably just replace all three and keep going for about $100. I can do through-hole repairs all day long. I don't have the time/patience/tools for SMD repairs. At this point, I just want to make music. SMD doesn't really interest me. |
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Post by smashlord on Aug 19, 2024 19:13:13 GMT -6
I used to have a pair of these but sold one a few years back. Hearing that if something happens it's not (economically) repairable makes me want to ditch the other one, too.
Too bad... I've yet to find a better tom mic!
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Post by bluesholyman on Aug 19, 2024 19:17:02 GMT -6
I used to have a pair of these but sold one a few years back. Hearing that if something happens it's not (economically) repairable makes me want to ditch the other one, too. Too bad... I've yet to find a better tom mic! What about the KSM44A - the one that replaced it? |
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Post by sean on Aug 19, 2024 22:13:34 GMT -6
I would return it and find another one. There’s one for sale here in Nashville for $300…you could get a pair for what Shure wants to fix it!
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Post by smashlord on Aug 20, 2024 8:32:36 GMT -6
I used to have a pair of these but sold one a few years back. Hearing that if something happens it's not (economically) repairable makes me want to ditch the other one, too. Too bad... I've yet to find a better tom mic! What about the KSM44A - the one that replaced it? Isn't it the same with more headroom or a lower noise floor? |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 20, 2024 14:13:22 GMT -6
Yeah, this one is SMD and the board that this particular cap is most likely on has not been available since 2010. If the boards (there are 3 total) were all available, I'd probably just replace all three and keep going for about $100. I can do through-hole repairs all day long. I don't have the time/patience/tools for SMD repairs. At this point, I just want to make music. SMD doesn't really interest me. Surface-mount does indeed suck to work on. I've yet to take that plunge with Vanguard. We do thru-hole everything. I get the benefits of surface-mount (and boy do i wish for them sometimes on particularly dense layouts like our stereo mics), but I'm a big right-to-repair supporter and I feel like surface mount subverts that in a lot of ways. |
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Post by bluesholyman on Aug 21, 2024 7:28:48 GMT -6
What about the KSM44A - the one that replaced it? Isn't it the same with more headroom or a lower noise floor? Yes, but probably has parts available, where the 44 parts are more scarce. |
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