Microphone Modding

[Freddy G]

Freddy G’s Apex 460 Modifications

Remove both inner mesh screens from grill
Change R2 – 150K 2 watt
Change R7 – 2K2 ¼ watt
Remove C9 & C10
Change C8 to 1uf 400v Solen fast cap
Change C4 to .001uf Multicap or .01 uf
Remove R8
Disconnect wire at tube from pin 8 to C8 and connect to tube pin 1
Remove wire from tube pin 1-7, also remove wire from R1 – tube pin 6
Connect tube pins 6, 7, 8&9
Remove heater (yellow wire) from pin 5 and leave connected to pin 4
Replace transformer with Cinemag 2480 mic output transformer:
Red – Red Cinemag
White – Brown Cinemag
Green- Yellow Cinemag
Black- Orange Cinemag
Replace stock tube with 6072A (NOS…not Electro-Harmonix)
Clean all circuit boards and connections thoroughly with acetone
To underheat tube- jumper diode 11 in PSU (makes it approximately 5.8V)

[niglopte]

Would someone kindly enlighten me as to why I would want to remove the transformer from my 57?

I'm all for making things better, but what will that change?

[Freddy G]

Originally Posted by niglopte

Would someone kindly enlighten me as to why I would want to remove the transformer from my 57?

I'm all for making things better, but what will that change?

It will extend the frequency response to virtually flat down to 20hz, and smooth out the midrange boost/harshness. I've used this modded mic on kick drum, snare, vocal....I like it a lot, it just sounds big and hey jono....W A R M

The price you pay is that you loose about 12db of output signal from the mic.

[jagcmos]

Originally Posted by Freddy G

It will extend the frequency response to virtually flat down to 20hz, and smooth out the midrange boost/harshness. I've used this modded mic on kick drum, snare, vocal....I like it a lot, it just sounds big and hey jono....W A R M

The price you pay is that you loose about 12db of output signal from the mic.

I assuming that this mod would make the capsule capable of being damaged by phantom power ?

[niglopte]

Really, nice and W A R M hunh? (hahaha)

would it make things better when recording heavy electric guitars?

The price you pay is that you loose about 12db of output signal from the mic.

But i guess you can just compensate by cranking the gain a bit on your pre-amp right?

[Freddy G]

Originally Posted by niglopte

But i guess you can just compensate by cranking the gain a bit on your pre-amp right?

Well yes, it just means you're 12 db closer to the mic pre's noise floor....so if you're recording a relatively queit source with a ...ahem...crappy mic pre
it'll be noisy.

[niglopte]

Originally Posted by Freddy G

Well yes, it just means you're 12 db closer to the mic pre's noise floor....so if you're recording a relatively queit source with a ...ahem...crappy mic pre
it'll be noisy.

Gotcha. Thanks!

[niglopte]

Me again.

I'm gonna do that 57 tranformer removal. My question is that I have two wires leaving the capsule, but three on the XLR connector. I understand that tha marked pin on the capsule goes to pin 2 (+) on the XLR connector, and the other one goes to pin 3 (-), but what happens to the ground? I'm not sure where or what to connect that to. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks.

Also, I appear to have a dead 57. WTF is that? I didnt know that was possible. all the wires are soldered, everything looks cool, but no signal whatsoever. Is it possible that it's the transformer? Also, I kinda (stupidly) popped off the top, and kinda messed up the diaphragm. (folded it). Is this a real big deal? should I just cut my losses?

Thanks alot guys.
Nic

[Freddy G]

Also, I kinda (stupidly) popped off the top, and kinda messed up the diaphragm. (folded it). Is this a real big deal? should I just cut my losses?

Yes, you folded it allright. You can't do that!

[Audio~Geek]

you borked it