SDC kits/PCB builds with correct EQ?

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Icantthinkofaname

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Mar 16, 2018
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Ontario
Are there any good SDC (by which I mean pencil mics) kits or PCB builds with corrective EQ anybody can recommend? Mods to existing cheap pencil mics are fine too. I do have a decent neutral pencil mic from 3U Audio, but I'd also like to build or mod some cheap ones for fun and collection.

If anyone can explain the backplate mod for the cheap pencil condensers and how that affects the sound of the mic that would be appreciated too.
 
Micparts has some kits:

https://microphone-parts.com/products/transformerless-sdc-circuit-kit
https://microphone-parts.com/products/sdc-microphone-kit

All transformerless.
 
mhelin said:
Micparts has some kits:

https://microphone-parts.com/products/transformerless-sdc-circuit-kit
https://microphone-parts.com/products/sdc-microphone-kit

All transformerless.
I'll consider the cheaper kit, though I have no idea if I could mount it in an iSK BM-88/Pearl or iSK BM-80 body.

Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to source a similar PCB, and the components myself? I can't imagine it's a very original design. I know it's a Schoeps copy, so my question is did they do something special to the design, or is the Schoeps circuit only linear because it isn't using a capacitor for negative feedback?

While I would consider the kit $159 USD isn't much cheaper than shelling out another $50 for a decent microphone when you consider I'll also need a donor mic. And the full kit I might as well just get some Oktavas for that price.
 
Buy the Oktava capsule and the -10 dB pad insert (I think it just contains a parallel capacitor, and the HP filter a resistor) and DIY the MK-012 mini preamp:
 
mini-preamp-b.jpg

I guess you have to put at least the FET into the pad part and the rest is up to you.

Edit: Anyone know the diameter and the threading the Oktava capsules and preamps use?
 
SubZero SZC100 has discrete Schoeps circuit, and typical EQ mod can be applied to it easily.

Even though i did make that mod, i find corrective eq of that type with small capsules unusable, as most of them have peak at lower frequencies, and natural roll off beyond that peak.
 
kingkorg said:
SubZero SZC100 has discrete Schoeps circuit, and typical EQ mod can be applied to it easily.

Even though i did make that mod, i find corrective eq of that type with small capsules unusable, as most of them have peak at lower frequencies, and natural roll off beyond that peak.
Any mods you can recommend to reduce the peaks in the capsules? Or is it just buy a decent compatible capsule?
 
RuudNL said:
The best corrective EQ is a good microphone capsule!  ;D

Yeah, and in the end you may end up spending a lot more money and time trying to get better sound from a poor capsule. On the other hand the microphone amplifier circuit can be really simple with a proper capsule (U47, Sela etc.).
 
Icantthinkofaname said:
Any mods you can recommend to reduce the peaks in the capsules? Or is it just buy a decent compatible capsule?

Still trying to find one. There was a mod i did to SP C1 with narrow q that addressed speciffic peak of the capsule without HF roll off. However it did increase couple percents of distortion at that frequency, and i dont think there is place for an inductor in an sdc body.
 
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