Why are there so few boutique SDC capsule manufacturers?

[rock soderstrom]

I wonder why there are so few manufacturers of SDC capsules, besides the big, well-known companies. LDCs in comparison are produced by many more third party manufacturers worldwide. Let's call them boutique manufacturers, small companies that produce high quality capsules. People like Tim Campbell, Siegfried Thiersch, etc.

Are SDCs more complicated, less profitable or too easy to produce? Is the demand too low?

What reasons do you see for this disparity?

Edit:
Please no flame wars regarding who manufactures their own capsules or buys parts for them in Asia or has them completely produced there.

 

[Recording Engineer]

I’ve often wished for some SDC options, but I don’t really think beyond that. My flippant thought is that LDC is just what most people think of or get excited about when it comes to studio mics, so it’s just as simple as following the money. Can’t say I blame anyone!

 

[rock soderstrom]

I’ve often wished for some SDC options

Me too. It would be nice to have a few nickel capsules (KM54 style) for acoustic guitars, for example.

 

[doqmemory]

Are SDCs more complicated, less profitable or too easy to produce? Is the demand too low?

What reasons do you see for this disparity?

I think one big reason is that (almost) all LDC's are fairly independent of the particular microphone body, fitting into one of several standard-sized mounts, but SDC's have a bunch of different, mostly incompatible mounting schemes.

 

[rock soderstrom]

I think one big reason is that (almost) all LDC's are fairly independent of the particular microphone body, fitting into one of several standard-sized mounts, but SDC's have a bunch of different, mostly incompatible mounts.

Yes, that is a valid point. Maybe we could work with adapters? The cheap Pronomic, Takstar, MXL style bodies could also be a platform for us DIYers.

 

[Recording Engineer]

I was hoping Les Watts’ SDC capsules were going to be available and be the first to get people excited and encouraging to some boutique manufacturers, but unfortunately he went off radar.

Flea makes one, which I bought, but haven’t used in anything yet. I may just put it in a Luke Audio head.

Beesneez makes a couple, but don’t know if they’ll sell separately. I did purchase a pair of the kk50 2nd-gen -inspired that they do.

 

[Tim Campbell]

There is no money in it. Almost no one would pay the same money for an SDC as they would for an LDC yet it is at least as much work and then there is the aforementioned problem of what body it should fit and the cost of the enclosure.

The only SDC people seem interested in these days is the K84. You can still buy that capsule from Neumann but no one does because it is expensive.
I have been approached to make a clone of that capsule many times but I have a good relationship with Neumann and wouldn't trade that for copying their capsule. They are resigned about their other designs.

 

[Mworthin]

Tim, since they still make the capsule, do you have any insight why Neumann has not made a KM-84 reissue, since they have made other reissues (E.g., U67)? From a business perspective, it seems like they are passing up a gold mine.

 

[rock soderstrom]

There is no money in it. Almost no one would pay the same money for an SDC as they would for an LDC yet it is at least as much work and then there is the aforementioned problem of what body it should fit and the cost of the enclosure.

The only SDC people seem interested in these days is the K84. You can still buy that capsule from Neumann but no one does because it is expensive.
I have been approached to make a clone of that capsule many times but I have a good relationship with Neumann and wouldn't trade that for copying their capsule. They are resigned about their other designs.

Thank you Tim for the frank words. I had already thought that the effort is similar to LDCs and the will to pay this is lower in comparission.

It would still not be bad to have more choice.
My favorite is the KK54 capsule and this one is out of production AFAIK.

 

[Tim Campbell]

Tim, since they still make the capsule, do you have any insight why Neumann has not made a KM-84 reissue, since they have made other reissues (E.g., U67)? From a business perspective, it seems like they are passing up a gold mine.

There are whispers that you may see it soon since prices for KM84's are hovering around 2000 USD

 

[soapfoot]

I’d love a KM86 while we’re at it, but that may just be a pipe dream

 

[Flatpicker]

I'd consider these guys to be fairly "boutique" and several of their offerings use the Transound TSB-2555: Ear Trumpet Labs

Edit: For some reason when I saw "SDC" my mind jumped to "electret" capsules and I just realized my mistake, in case you are wondering why my post is completely irrelevant to the thread.

 

[rock soderstrom]

There are whispers that you may see it soon since prices for KM84's are hovering around 2000 USD

Done! Bluegrassdan posted this on the realgearonline forum.

 

[craigmorris74]

It would be great if someone could make kk84 style backplates that would.for our Chinese capsules like was discussed in another thread.

 

[Tim Campbell]

It would be great if someone could make kk84 style backplates that would.for our Chinese capsules like was discussed in another thread.

The problem is you can't just build backplates. You need to build a complete, working capsule inside of whatever endcap that will fit your particular preamp body.

You almost have to build a complete mic or only specify the capsule for one particular body.

 

[emrr]

This whole kk84 cult mindset is so dangerous and damaging to creativity. There are plenty of other good mics. Neumann COULD do themselves a favor and sell a free field cardioid SDC, that’s the actual glaring vacancy.

 

[Tim Campbell]

Actually I prefer the Sennheiser MKH series

 

[emrr]

Actually I prefer the Sennheiser MKH series

It’s what I mainly own here. I have a KM131 free field omni I like as a contrast to the MKH105 and MKH20, it does “mid-centric” in that identifiable Neumann way. A flat cardioid from Neumann would be a totally different sounding product and address the complaints of pop recording studios. Let’s face it, those people have generally never heard of MKH and there’s no convincing them.

 

[kingkorg]

I have to point to the 120$(ish) miracle Line Audio CM4 yet again. Not exactly made from scratch, but the capsule is modded to a point it has nothing to do with the stock one. It doesn't get much more boutique than that one, made in Sweden.

There is some hype around it by the people who have used it, but not nearly enough imho. It's greatest sin is the price - people don't take it seriously.

Edit. I just bought two more
Currently selling at slightly discounted price and free shipping. Not sure if they send outside Norway.

https://www.scandinavianphoto.no/line-audio/cm4-condenser-microphone-1053650

 

[emrr]

I have a pair installed at the back of a theater for ambient pickup in a multitrack webcast scenario. Needs treble boost (diffuse field position), but sounds good, outcompetes anything I know of anywhere near it's price range. They do ship to the US.

I have to point to the 120$(ish) miracle Line Audio CM4 yet again. Not exactly made from scratch, but the capsule is modded to a point it has nothing to do with the stock one. It doesn't get much more boutique than that one, made in Sweden.

There is some hype around it by the people who have used it, but not nearly enough imho. It's greatest sin is the price - people don't take it seriously.