Cad Equitek E100 Capsule

[Icantthinkofaname]

It's almost funny how the people at GS had basically no clue what you were doing there. I'll have to try this out, i have some small sdcs around. Great audio examples there as well. Your mic sounded very Neumann-esque compared to the 319 and AT.

Is it really any surprise Gearspace users don't know much? The idea that a mic clone can be reasonably accurate is so foreign to them because it lacks the magic mojo of a mic costing thousands. I've been avoiding that site for a while cause I don't want to add like half the users to my ignore list. I trust my ears and measurements that can be observed more than some idiot saying "It can't be close because it doesn't cost $4000, there's more going on than physical design and electronics"

 

[MicUlli]

I completely agree. After executing a nice test (ABX comparison Neumann KM184/EM21 and Schoeps MK4/EM21 using pink noise source) none of the listeners could find a difference. But the EM21 was equalized before to match KM184 or MK4..
IMHO the audible sound differences between microphones are mainly influenced by the frequency response. An audible additional effect is polar pattern difference, but only in very diffuse field dominated setups. Physics rules, statistic approaches in AB tests blow away all the so called golden ears.

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

I completely agree. After executing a nice test (ABX comparison Neumann KM184/EM21 and Schoeps MK4/EM21 using pink noise source) none of the listeners could find a difference. But the EM21 was equalized before to match KM184 or MK4..
IMHO the audible sound differences between microphones are mainly influenced by the frequency response. An audible additional effect is polar pattern difference, but only in very diffuse field dominated setups. Physics rules, statistic approaches in AB tests blow away all the so called golden ears.

I definitely believe there's a difference in off axis response between different capsules, but I can't imagine there's a big enough difference between two k67s that they can tell s good clone from a U87. I definitely think it's a decent for gear recommendations, but when you start talking about clones (which will frequently happen when it comes to discussing vintage mics) you might as well ignore most of what you see.

 

[Nen'O]

Hi all,
My CAD E100/2 died. Battery leaked inside all over PCB and made big mess. I took it to service but to no avail.
I really liked this microphone and used it on most session.
Is there a way to make some use of it? Capsule and body are ok, CAD doesn't have spare PCB's anymore.

Thanks
N

 

[Khron]

If you were willing to take the time, i'm sure the board could be re-created - apart from the battery, there's no real sci-fi / unobtainium parts in there, are there?

 

[Nen'O]

Inside it looks very simple but from what what I've been told there are too many destroyed connections which cannot be fixed.
I'm afraid that the only option is new PCB or some kind of mod.
Do you know someone who can re-created PCB?

Thanks

 

[kingkorg]

Inside it looks very simple but from what what I've been told there are too many destroyed connections which cannot be fixed.
I'm afraid that the only option is new PCB or some kind of mod.

There is a schematic floating around so you should be able to recreate it. You could pay someone to reverse engineer, order it from PCBway, or do it yourself. However since it's opamp based mic with very transparent sound you could use a simpler circuit. Schoeps without oscillator, or opamp Alice would do just fine.

 

[Nen'O]

Honestly I don't know anyone with right knowledge who might be interested in trying to bring back to life this mic,
Very good point about Shoeps circuits. I know Scott Dorsey makes PCB's upgrade, have to check if it will somehow fit in e 100.
This is shoeps PCB
http://www.panix.com/~kludge/R0011588.JPG
This is a schematic from the first version of this mic E-100
http://cdn.recordinghacks.com/images//mic_extras/cad/E100-schematic.png

Thanks

 

[rock soderstrom]

Inside it looks very simple but from what what I've been told there are too many destroyed connections which cannot be fixed.
I'm afraid that the only option is new PCB or some kind of mod.
Do you know someone who can re-created PCB?

Can you post some pics from the inside? Leaking batteries are real mess, no doubt, but I think you can still fix that with some elbow grease.
The circuit is very clear, you will probably have to replace a few traces with wire...

 

[Nen'O]

Hey, that's what they tried at service but they gave up.
I'm afraid than new PCB is the only option.
Any suggestions for new PCB?

 

[Khron]

I don't mean to sound cruel or condescending, but... Learn KiCad or Eagle?

 

[Nen'O]

I don't mean to sound cruel or condescending, but... Learn KiCad or Eagle?

Since i got married and we got baby time has become luxury
But thanks for the tip

 

[rock soderstrom]

Hey, that's what they tried at service but they gave up.
I'm afraid than new PCB is the only option.
Any suggestions for new PCB?

Thanks. I believe this is fixable. A new PCB would of course also be a possible option, EasyEDA is my favorite for that, it's easy to learn and doesn't cost anything. Existing PCBs such as Schoeps or Alice also work, especially good if you don't have time.

 

[analogguru]

When looking at the pictures I get the impression that the biggest damage was made by the solder-jockey who tried to fix the microphone.

Looking at the capsule-picture I get the feeling that any el-cheapo $ 20,-- BM-700/BM-800 with a 16mm capsule should produce the same results - you should avoid Neewer and Tonor.

 

[Nen'O]

it has Transsound TSB-160A electret capsule

https://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/mics/2009-09-a/2011052110004597604TSB-160A-GP.jpg

i used this mic with great results over 10 years, dont think there is anything wrong with stock capsule.
ill probably give a try with Schoeps pcb for electret.
let you know how it went

 

[k brown]

If you do your own circuit, you'll need to include of roll off at the top to obtain the E100's fairly flat response. TSB-160a is very bright w/o EQ.

Schem is here:
http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/CAD/equitek-E100

 

[Nen'O]

So here is Schoeps Circuit PCB for Electret Capsules i plan to use as replacement for damaged CAD e100 stock PCB.
Not sure if this circuit has top end roll off or how to add it.

 

[Vac11]

Ive designed the PCB. Its ordinary Schoeps circuit without polarisation voltage converter section. Nothing complicated.
C1 is paralel capacitor to R2 (2K drain reistor)... You can experiment here with some values for "top end roll off"....

 

[Gus]

Hey, that's what they tried at service but they gave up.
I'm afraid than new PCB is the only option.
Any suggestions for new PCB?

I would clean the corrosion and solder the PCB feed-thru holes closed

I looked at the link K brown posted.
Did the person that tried to repair it open up the feed-thur holes or are they that size stock?
Is the jumper set correctly for how you want to use it?

I looked at the schematic it has a servo with the time constant set by R5, C1
The first amp has a gain of 2 with the pad on and a gain of around 21 with the pad off

You could add more of a low pass shelf filter changing C2, its effect will change with the gain setting.
1/(2 pi RC) should help.
It is a non-inverting amp so when the gain goes to one the filter stops working

The output is two inverting gain of one circuits in series
Not sure why C4 and RP2C are used.

Batteries charge by R14, R13 and D1

 

[Nen'O]

Hi thanks for the tips.
Old PCB is closed case, it's just too damaged.
I've ordered Schopes circuit for electret and will try to see how it will work with stock capsule, if something goes wrong I always can order good old TSB2555B / JLI-2555BXZ3-GP Cardioid Electret Capsule and somehow fit it. Those have been proved and tested many times...cheap too.