BM800 capsule mod

[zawad_tahmid]

Cm25 is okish i guess

Is the stock CM25 any good, or would be better (or even possible) to change the capsule out (without buying a new PCB for the inside of the mic)?

Check out this
And the preamp, you can buy solo (you should try buying 2i2, you might regret later but again it depends on what you need)

 

[Technotech]

And the preamp, you can buy solo (you should try buying 2i2, you might regret later but again it depends on what you need)

I actually nearly forgot why it was named the ‘solo’ . I think it’ll be fine for now though.
Additionally, I won’t have to bother with a custom PCB for the CM25?

Check out this

Would you recommend the capsule used in the video/34mm LDCs in general? The comments seem to be mixed on it; is it better to go with the 25mm capsule linked earlier? I’ve also read that https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003678248617.html is decent too.

 

[zawad_tahmid]

Seems like jli shipping cost is getting in your way, in that case, 2555b capsule will work just fine but aliexpress is like hit or miss.

 

[k brown]

I actually nearly forgot why it was named the ‘solo’ . I think it’ll be fine for now though.
Additionally, I won’t have to bother with a custom PCB for the CM25?

Would you recommend the capsule used in the video/34mm LDCs in general? The comments seem to be mixed on it; is it better to go with the 25mm capsule linked earlier? I’ve also read that https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003678248617.html is decent too.

The JLI-3412 shown in the video is considerably better than the 2555.
https://groupdiy.com/threads/liking-this-34mm-transound-much-more-than-tsb-2555.80168/#post-1138859

 

[Technotech]

The JLI-3412 shown in the video is considerably better than the 2555.

Good to know! Is the Aliexpress link considered equivalent in quality? It's a K-47 clone right?

 

[k brown]

Good to know! Is the Aliexpress link considered equivalent in quality? It's a K-47 clone right?

Haven't heard that Ali capsule; it's not an electret like the JLI-3412, so it will need external polarization.

 

[Technotech]

Haven't heard that Ali capsule; it's not an electret like the JLI-3412

Are there any known 34mm electret capsules on Aliexpress? I couldn't find any (judging by the operating voltage, and the fact that their descriptions don't mention being electret).

 

[k brown]

Are there any known 34mm electret capsules on Aliexpress? I couldn't find any (judging by the operating voltage, and the fact that their descriptions don't mention being electret).

Electrets without built-in FETs don't have an 'operating voltage'; those Ali specs are nonsense.

I've never bought anything on Ali Express. I buy capsules from mfgrs (Oktava, Rode, etc.), JLI Electronics, FEL Communications (micbooster.com), or on eBay.

In case you weren't aware, you can tell electrets that have built-in FETs by the circuit board with solder pads on the back. Those w/o FETs have no circuit board on the back.

 

[zawad_tahmid]

Are there any known 34mm electret capsules on Aliexpress?

This one's electret and 34mm https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005004832897031.html

Again, you can buy directly from jli or take the risk

 

[Technotech]

Again, you can buy directly from jli

Unfortunately shipping costs from JLI are too high for me to justify.

This one's electret and 34mm

Thanks, didn't see that one. I guess to your point, no reviews on that one so it's a mixed bag.
Would it be worth upgrading the capsule to this one anyway https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/4000016436315.html (posted a few replies ago), and swapping it out for a 3412 later if need be?

 

[zawad_tahmid]

Would it be worth upgrading the capsule to this one anyway https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/4000016436315.html

Worth or not, this will work and since these are cheap you can buy couple of these, but you might want to buy the 2555b as it's available on aliexpress with good reviews (not sure about defective or bad quality ones tho)

 

[Technotech]

but you might want to buy the 2555b

Assuming you mean the link I'd originally posted. As you said, they're relatively inexpensive so I will probably get both, and try both. Won't really know until I try.

 

[zawad_tahmid]

Perfect, I think that would be an excellent idea.

 

[Technotech]

After reading up on the Scarlett Solo/2i2, it seems that the first and second generations aren’t the best, but the third and fourth are good. Given the age of the one I was looking at, I’m now just thinking to get a new 3rd gen. I did see the M Audio M Track Duo, but most talk about it suggests to spend a little more and get a Scarlett. I suppose I’m back to square one on the mic itself then.

 

[Khron]

it seems that the first and second generations aren’t the best, but the third and fourth are good.

From what point of view? I have no horse in that race, i'm just curious what the criticisms are. I'm only aware of the 1st gen's low headroom on the hi-Z input, but other than that...

Presonus Audiobox could be another option (seem to be almost half the price on eBay Australia), for what it's worth.

I suppose I’m back to square one on the mic itself then.

Not necessarily - at least you'd end up with a half-decent recording setup, even without messing with your current mic all that much.

 

[MicMaven]

Are there any known 34mm electret capsules on Aliexpress? I couldn't find any (judging by the operating voltage, and the fact that their descriptions don't mention being electret).

Yes and they look like these. I have used them and ... well ... um ... let's say they are not my first choice.

James

 

[ricardo]

The capsule you linked to is considerably better than the 2555,

Not sure how you conclude this.

I've measured several samples of TSB 2555 and some of the results are in Zephyr.doc at
https://groups.io/g/MicBuilders/files/Mic Measurements
You have to join. I think there are measurements by others too.

I haven't tested other 25mm Ali Express capsules except one pair of RAYKING BU2578BL ‘blue’ cardioid electrets. Results in the same document. Not quite as good as TSB 2555.

The few 2555s I've tested have been very consistent; probably the best indication of production expertise. They rival many big name German offerings.

If you can afford to buy from JLI or Microphone Parts, I don't think you can do better than use pukka TSB 2555s from them.

audioimprov only says the unknown capsules he tried in https://www.audioimprov.com/AudioImprov/Mics/Entries/2019/9/7_More_Electret_Capsules.html resulted in a better mike than the original with the small electret

but the samples I bought were quite a bit brighter.

Then they are less accurate than TSB 2555

 

[k brown]

Not sure how you conclude this.

I've measured several samples of TSB 2555 and some of the results are in Zephyr.doc at
https://groups.io/g/MicBuilders/files/Mic Measurements
You have to join. I think there are measurements by others too.

I haven't tested other 25mm Ali Express capsules except one pair of RAYKING BU2578BL ‘blue’ cardioid electrets. Results in the same document. Not quite as good as TSB 2555.

The few 2555s I've tested have been very consistent; probably the best indication of production expertise. They rival many big name German offerings.

If you can afford to buy from JLI or Microphone Parts, I don't think you can do better than use pukka TSB 2555s from them.

audioimprov only says the unknown capsules he tried in https://www.audioimprov.com/AudioImprov/Mics/Entries/2019/9/7_More_Electret_Capsules.html resulted in a better mike than the original with the small electret


Then they are less accurate than TSB 2555

I actually misspoke in that post -it was the 'KK12 II', the one with no built-in mesh that I much prefer over the 2555. The one with built-in mesh (what's come to be referred to a 'KK12 type I' I found to be unuseably bright, but still overall better sounding than the 2555. I've built several mics with 'Type II', and not a one with the 2555.

Far more interested in what my ears tell me than measurements; can't tell you how many mics or capsules I've seen that measured great and sounded, shall we say, unpleasant - and the TSB2555 was one of them. So much so that I was quite puzzled they had the internet buzz that they did; I literally threw them away. I even prefer the sound of the humble little Primo EM200s over them.

But, 'tweach' his own . . .

 

[mhelin]

I'm reviewing options for that. Are there any recommendations between cheap BM700s and cheap U87s (aside from the shock mounts, for which the BM700 would seem to be better given it's not all plastic)?
U87 clone: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006053782365.html
BM700: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005005081212544.html

The U87 link above could not be found, I guess this is similar:
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005007942521579.html
It's not U87 but rather U89 because it's smaller, maybe smaller than U89.

 

[Technotech]

Presonus Audiobox could be another option

In terms of options, I'm looking at the Behringer UMC204HD, which seems to be a pretty decent budget interface based on the videos I've watched, although there's definitely less online commotion about them compared to Scarletts. It seems to have a decent set of features, and it has two XLR inputs which is nice. It's as cheap as a 3rd gen Solo off Amazon.

I'm assuming this is probably difficult, but are there BM800/BM700/U87 clones with serviceable mic circuits (I know, I'm probably being picky about this)? Seems like the CM25 would have been a clean capsule swap over, but the BM800s sometimes have dud circuits inside?
Either way, I think I'm set on the UMC204HD at least.

Quick edit: if anyone knows, would this work at all? I initially discarded it thinking I wouldn't need phantom power, but if I do need 48V, would this work? https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006443484735.html