Behringer B2 Pro mods?

[melodnb]

Nah, I ended up just taking the capsule out to keep for awhile and maybe put into something else.  While I prefered the sound something about it just didn't feel right about it was responding to sound.  I ended up getting rid of a lot of gear that had been lying around, tons of mics, mostly cheap stuff like es57's.  I ended up buying a blue baby bottle after borrowing one from my coworker.  It's pretty much the perfect mic for me.   

Hope you get your capsule thing figured out, I just kinda gave up because I realized that I could mod the thing until the end of time but never really be happy with it. 

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

Bumping because I still haven't done anything with the mic. If I wanted to upgrade the transistors which *easily available* ones would be good to lower the self noise?

I'm actually just trying to sell the mic right now. I might set some time aside to swap the capsules and possibly transistor.

EDIT: Only one transistor in the mic. Replacing this with a lower noise FET should help self noise a bit right?

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

Green is the k47 we mention here, Red is Dave Pearlman k47, Blue is Dale's M7.

Are your measurements in Cardioid, Figure 8, or Omni? I'm considering ordering some of iSK's K47 capsules, and I want to know what to expect.

 

[kingkorg]

All measurements are cardioid.

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

Bumping this because I have a couple B2 Pros coming that I'm putting Oktava MK-220 capsules in. I'll post the results.

 

[Aref]

Hi,
Still can't find a good topic related to lowering the b2 self-noise.
I need it as a Side mic in M/S recording.
Akg p400 seems to have a similar noise range, but someone posted an easy mod to cure the high freqs.
Any idea?

 

[kingkorg]

Not sure what noise level you are after. I haven't had issue with it's noise.

However the path between capsule and fet is quite long. So that might be an issue, or just simply noisy fet. Maybe try some VLN type, like the one used in NT1.

 

[shabtek]

Bumping this because I have a couple B2 Pros coming that I'm putting Oktava MK-220 capsules in. I'll post the results.

do these octavas do better with higher polarization voltage?

 

[kingkorg]

I have never measured any difference in sound when it comes to pol. voltage. I would call that one a myth. Maybe close to collapsing voltage, but not usual values. I have not noticed difference even at 100v.

With higher voltage you get better s/n and higher level at FET input, so the mic can't take as much SPL. That's it.

 

[shabtek]

King are yo referring to all capsules or only oktava?

 

[kingkorg]

I have tried Oktava, edge terminated like rk12, different k67, k47, sdc mxl603, and edge terminated from 797. I tried oktava from 36 to 60v. Made no difference.

 

[ubxf]

I noticed that you have a polystyrene cap going to the fet instead of keeping it inside the black box. Is it to shorten the path? I'm about to replace the 2 ceramic caps and i was going to keep the new ones in the same place. Do you recommend a different configuration

Not sure what noise level you are after. I haven't had issue with it's noise.

However the path between capsule and fet is quite long. So that might be an issue, or just simply noisy fet. Maybe try some VLN type, like the one used in NT1.

 

[kingkorg]

I have totally rewired those mics so that i can swap different topologies easier. I didn't go for lower noise as i haven't had that issue.

 

[ubxf]

Got it thanks.I'll just go the easy way for now.

 

[Hibiscus]

There is a huge thread on B2 here. It doesn't have feefback cap, as it's a variant of Schoeps circuit.

To be honest, besides upgrading capsule coupling cap i don't see any point of modding the mic it is pretty much perfect design/component combo. High quality components.

The thing i love about B2 is removable head, so you can make different circuits and capsules and swap them at will.

In76d made a huge effort to mod the circuit, which improves s/n ratio, and gives you true cardioid mod, but to be honest, it is very complicated mod to do, and imho not worth it. I have done it, but i had way too much trouble as the mic has very complicated construction.

You can do the same type mod Microphone Parts has for SP C1. To get u87 response. Two resistors, trimmer and a capacitor.

I would personally leave posibility to have the flat option as that capsule does wonders on guitars, and some breathy vocals. Keep in mind that capsule was in original Røde Classic, with flat circuit!

Here is the pic of my swapable setup. CT12 capsule, Rayking C12, Dale M7, stock b2 capsule, and all different tube/fet circuits. I buy every B2 in the ads under 100 bucks. B1 as well. Keep in mind that latest b2 doesnt have detachable head. Its the one with newer Behringer logo.


Thread:
https://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=65484.0

Are you serious about it sharing the same dual capsule.as the original Rode Classic 1? I have always been looking for a mic that can emulate the Rode Classic 1 as closely as possible. Can this be achieved via modding this mic? ...since they share the same capsule already? What are your thoughts?

 

[kingkorg]

Are you serious about it sharing the same dual capsule.as the original Rode Classic 1? I have always been looking for a mic that can emulate the Rode Classic 1 as closely as possible. Can this be achieved via modding this mic? ...since they share the same capsule already? What are your thoughts?

Dead serious. In the beginning Røde used the capsules from 797 audio. Their original NT1 (the white one) used single sided version of this capsule, now found in Behringer B1.

Headbasket of B2 is obviously very different than the Classic. This has audible effect. What you can do is use the capsule, one of available u47 bodies from Aliexpress and such, build C12 type of circuit (which Classic 1 is) and use B2 capsule.

Or just transplant the capsule into a mic with similar body shape. Maybe even something like Nady tcm1050, and it's relatives.

You can certainly try B2, it's still pretty good mic on it's own, and it should bring memories of Classic back. It will probably lack a say 2-3db notch in HF which the original body creates.

 

[kingkorg]

@Hibiscus obviously the same thing. It can be also found in some Studio Projects mics.

https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/...alve_360_8714481a5e3bfe04cc7084ff4c9f19de.jpg
Studio Projects (797 Audio) K67 Type Dual diaphragm capsule from C3 Multipatern condenser microphone | Reverb

 

[Hibiscus]

I have an sE z3300a host body available which looks 47-ish. Take a look at how it looks in this guy's video:


Do you think it can work? My sE z3300a is a fine mic but it doesn't really have a flattering sound. It's a FET that sounds neutral/natural. I want a more Rode Classic sound but obviously without the Tube. I always wanted the original Rode Classic but its too expensive. But if i can achieve 95% of the Rode Classic's sound for cheap, then i'm willing to experiment just to see what even just a body switch would do. What do you think?

 

[kingkorg]

I have an sE z3300a host body available which looks 47-ish. Take a look at how it looks in this guy's video:


Do you think it can work? My sE z3300a is a fine mic but it doesn't really have a flattering sound. It's a FET that sounds neutral/natural. I want a more Rode Classic sound but obviously without the Tube. I always wanted the original Rode Classic but its too expensive. But if i can achieve 95% of the Rode Classic's sound for cheap, then i'm willing to experiment just to see what even just a body switch would do. What do you think?

Sure you can try. This has been discussed here a lot. Type of body and internal reflections/resonances affect the sound. Since you can't get the original body, you have to experiment. But in this case most of the sound comes from the capsule in case of the Classic. I'm not sure though if Se mic has a suitable circuit. You need a flat circuit.

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

I should ask, does the surface mount component version of the B2 also use that 797 capsule?