MXL SDC capsule and body vent mods

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craigmorris74

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Joined
Sep 9, 2005
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Location
benton, ky
I had a couple of MXL 603's and a 67N (the transformer coupled version of the 603) lying in the studio that I wasn't using because the high end sounded so terrible.  I read up on the mods that Michael Joly and others did to the capsule and the venting behind the capsule and decided it was worth a try to hack one of the capsules and bodies up and see what happened.

In the clip that I'm linking to below, I'm testing the 67N, since it was a little less lousy than the 603.  The first part is the unmodded mic.  The next section is the capsule mod (similar to http://www.audioimprov.com/AudioImprov/Mics/Entries/2012/12/5_Modifying_the_MXL_991.html).  The third part is with the vents behind the capsule enlarged.

I think modifying the capsule make a tremendous difference, and might make the mic usable. 

Here's the link-before you listen, note that the guitar had a weird vibrating high E string:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/01gyb3456me7075/mxl%20capsule%20test.mp3?dl=0
 
Front grille of the mic causes terrible 7k spike. Removing that grille, makes biggest impact. However it is very tricky, and in my opinion not worth the effort, as it leaves you with very ugly mic and it's very easy to ruin the capsule.

However because of that 7k spike I love it stock on toms and snare bottom.

This capsule should fit your mic, and if the guy still has it it's just easier to buy it than waste time, and possibly capsule.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-diaphragm-Cardioid-SDC-condenser-microphone-capsule-MXL-CAD-style/202266409962?hash=item2f18047bea:g:rfUAAOSwKJtasFWE
 
Modifying the front of the mic took less than an hour.  If you're unfamiliar with capsules, I'd say it's a bad idea, but if you are, it's pretty simple, and that does knock out the 7k spike.  Enlarging the vent area smooths out the rest of the top end.

I've listened to the V67N enough that I think the mod was pretty successful.

I will check out that other capsule, though.  Cheap enough.
 

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