adding omni switch to modded microphone

[mattmartin831]

I have the old 1990's Rode NT1 microphone and I recently modded it by swapping out the single diaphragm k67/87 type capsule with a chinese dual diaphragm k47 type capsule. Overall the sound quality has improved significantly since it no longer has the searing high end presence peak at 12khz.

Now I am looking into modifying the mic further by adding a switch to allow me to switch between cardioid and omni pickup patterns since it now has a dual diaphragm capsule. I know how to wire the switch properly using an SPDT on/on switch, and I would like to drill a hole through the indented circle in the picture below so that I won't have to open up the mic every time I want to change the pickup pattern. Has anyone tried a mod like this? I would appreciate advice if you have any tips, or feel free to let me know if this is a terrible idea

 

[pucho812]

there is more to what your asking to do then just a simple installing a switch.

 

[mattmartin831]

there is more to what your asking to do then just a simple installing a switch.

Care to elaborate? I thought the Omni pickup pattern was simply a short between the front and rear diaphragms. What else would need to be done to make this mod possible?

 

[radardoug]

That circuit is operating at extremely high impedance. So you need a switch with extremely good leakage figures. Most bog standard switches will not be good enough. If you put in the wrong switch, the mike will stop working properly.

 

[gyraf]

..lots of cheap and half-cheap microphones gets away with using cheap standard switches for this kind of purpose. Yes, there are potential problems, but solving them (reverting to cardioid-only) would be as easy as cutting the wires to the switch.

For a "real" solution, you could use a reed switch (glass tube), activated by a magnet. Maybe even from the outside?

Jakob E.