Recommendations on how I can learn to build a Sony C800G clone

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Deadrecords

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2019
Messages
19
I have been mixing for a while. I normally use a u87 and Manley although the manley sounds similar to the Sony it’s just not the same. I am spoiled after traveling to la and finally getting to use one in a session myself. I don’t have the money to buy a legit original one. I have also never built a microphone but I am eager to learn. Do any of you have any recommendations on how I can  learn how to build a clone of the Sony C800G? Or a link to a kit of some sort? I know the Russian tubes sound better on it and it replicates a k67 capsule. Anyways, if any of you can point me to the right direction on how I can achieve my goal and learn to do this please respond!!
 
I don't know if there's been any clones that are actually similar to the C800G.  You can check out whichever Advanced Audio mic is modeled after the C800G, but it not might be an accurate recreation.
 
Thank you for your reply! I saw the cmt but I have not heard  and couldn't find any actual files, or reviews from it.
 
Deadrecords said:
Thank you for your reply! I saw the cmt but I have not heard  and couldn't find any actual files, or reviews from it.
This thread has a bit of info:
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/1165366-advanced-audio-cm800t-aas-take-sony-c800g-4.html
 
Well the biggest challegne would be to find a capsule that is spot on to get c800 sound.

Yes that Manley capsule is very close, but i doubt you could get closer without buying the actual sony capsule, which costs an arm and a leg.

The capsule is the most important part, then headbasket, and eventually everything else as the circuit is flat, and doesn't do much to affect the sound of that mic.
 
Things that can matter (one version) in descending order.

Capsule, grill, capsule mount, output transformer(lams used, winding),  tube (needs selection), power supply because of the current and some other parts of the design , tube cryopump, body, parts used type value etc.

All that can matter.

The cooler is to adsorb the molecules in the tube to the glass wall longer because of the glass being cooler.

So without at least a  few of the above building a clone might be difficult because of obtaining the correct parts.

I believe people are missing a lot of what is a different about this design from what is posted on the web. I have not seen some of what I noticed about the circuits used posted.

With a triode out to transformer microphone the capsule and the environment around it and the output transformer matter a lot.

Now a person might not understand this unless they have built a number of microphones trying different parts and mechanical and circuit configurations.
 
Icantthinkofaname said:
This thread has a bit of info:
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/1165366-advanced-audio-cm800t-aas-take-sony-c800g-4.html

Thank you for this I am going to have to look more into this. I do think based off of what I am hearing they do sound very similar.
 
kingkorg said:
Well the biggest challegne would be to find a capsule that is spot on to get c800 sound.

Yes that Manley capsule is very close, but i doubt you could get closer without buying the actual sony capsule, which costs an arm and a leg.

The capsule is the most important part, then headbasket, and eventually everything else as the circuit is flat, and doesn't do much to affect the sound of that mic.

I understand this I am really looking for someone to point me to a article, video or book where I can learn how to put these parts together when I find them and create a functional working mic.
 
Gus said:
Things that can matter (one version) in descending order.

Capsule, grill, capsule mount, output transformer(lams used, winding),  tube (needs selection), power supply because of the current and some other parts of the design , tube cryopump, body, parts used type value etc.

All that can matter.

The cooler is to adsorb the molecules in the tube to the glass wall longer because of the glass being cooler.

So without at least a  few of the above building a clone might be difficult because of obtaining the correct parts.

I believe people are missing a lot of what is a different about this design from what is posted on the web. I have not seen some of what I noticed about the circuits used posted.

With a triode out to transformer microphone the capsule and the environment around it and the output transformer matter a lot.

Now a person might not understand this unless they have built a number of microphones trying different parts and mechanical and circuit configurations.

I understand this I am really looking for someone to point me to a article, video or book where I can learn how to put these parts together when I finally have completed my research and find  the parts I am looking for to create a functional working mic.
 
Deadrecords,

Please think of what you are asking.

You want a paint-by-numbers kit for a 10000$ microphone.

More or less everything that has been dissected and kit'ified around here is now also brought to you cheaply by Warm, Stam, Klark & Co.

So no, it's not that easy. The suggestions above all try to point you in a direction where YOU could do some of the work, possibly learning something in the process.

Jakob E.
 
gyraf said:
Deadrecords,

Please think of what you are asking.

You want a paint-by-numbers kit for a 10000$ microphone.

More or less everything that has been dissected and kit'ified around here is now also brought to you cheaply by Warm, Stam, Klark & Co.

So no, it's not that easy. The suggestions above all try to point you in a direction where YOU could do some of the work, possibly learning something in the process.

Jakob E.

I think you aren't understanding what I am asking.  I am not asking for a kit to build a sony c800g I asking to get pointed in the right direction on how I can learn to assemble a microphone after I have found the correct parts via online research. I have never put together a microphone.  Where can I learn how to assemble a advanced microphone configuration if I were to  find the parts and read the schematics?  So say say I have found all the parts I need. How do I go about learning how to actually assemble it? 
 
The point is there is no single resource.

Work your way into this, read up on all the related threads here and in other forums, build a couple of mics or ten, and then you'll gradually get an idea about how to achieve a specific thing.

There's no going there directly.

To put it into perspective, a friend of mine has spent ALL his time the last 17 years trying to understand what exactly goes on inside one famous Austrian microphone capsule. Yes, he's getting there - and No, it's not because he's slow - for every partial behavior he discovers, there are interactions with multiple others, making the whole an utterly complex mechanism for such a simple device.

It is a surprisingly complicated field.

Which also makes so rewarding to those that are prepared to spend the time and do the deep diving.

Much less so for the impatient.

A starting point could be e.g. my now very-old page about the G7: http://gyraf.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DIY-Tube-Microphone.pdf - or the classic Debanham/Stebbings http://www.sdiy.org/oid/ldc/Debenham-StereoCondenser.pdf - both discussed extensively in this forum, if you look under /Microphones

Jakob E.
 
gyraf said:
The point is there is no single resource.

Work your way into this, read up on all the related threads here and in other forums, build a couple of mics or ten, and then you'll gradually get an idea about how to achieve a specific thing.

There's no going there directly.

To put it into perspective, a friend of mine has spent ALL his time the last 17 years trying to understand what exactly goes on inside one famous Austrian microphone capsule. Yes, he's getting there - and No, it's not because he's slow - for every partial behavior he discovers, there are interactions with multiple others, making the whole an utterly complex mechanism for such a simple device.

It is a surprisingly complicated field.

Which also makes so rewarding to those that are prepared to spend the time and do the deep diving.

Much less so for the impatient.

A starting point could be e.g. my now very-old page about the G7: http://gyraf.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DIY-Tube-Microphone.pdf - or the classic Debanham/Stebbings http://www.sdiy.org/oid/ldc/Debenham-StereoCondenser.pdf - both discussed extensively in this forum, if you look under /Microphones

Jakob E.

ahhh I see. I will definitely check these articles out and start my journey. Thank you!
 
gyraf said:
Deadrecords,

Please think of what you are asking.

You want a paint-by-numbers kit for a 10000$ microphone.

More or less everything that has been dissected and kit'ified around here is now also brought to you cheaply by Warm, Stam, Klark & Co.

So no, it's not that easy. The suggestions above all try to point you in a direction where YOU could do some of the work, possibly learning something in the process.

Jakob E.

Jakob

This post and your following post in this thread would make a nice microphone forum sticky


 
I would also put in a plug for a kit microphone, like those from Microphone Parts, or some of the ones available through the community here for a beginner.

Yes, for M-P, you could do it more cheaply, but for a rank beginner, learning to solder, deflux a Board, deal with the high Z parts of a circuit, handle a delicate capsule,  etc, are essential skills,and the instructions are very good. You won’t have to bias a FET mic your first time out if that is the route you choose because the bias resistor is chosen for you, so you don’t need expensive test equipment to start.  There are tube options.

I considered the extra expense part of my initial education,  and now have moved on... just a thought. ..

My G7 build follows Banzai’s KM84s....once you get the bug, it never stops...

—Mark
 

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