C414 body

[GeoffDoane]

Here's what a real C414EB looks like inside, alongside a more recent C214. As you can see, they are not all that similar, especially once you look inside. The 414 has a big transformer down near the connector, while the 214 is a transformerless design.

This 414 is a candidate for a new capsule. Although it works, the rear side has separated. It can be pressed back into place, but eventually falls off again. I'm open to suggestions for aftermarket replacements that can do the rest of the mic justice.

Geoff

 

[neowalla]

So, @neowalla
are these good candidates for a C-414 project?
What about a B ULS or EB version with brass capsule maybe?

M

Is that the body from Mic & Mod? As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the ones from M & M look pretty exact, aside from colour. As far as suitability, again other than M & M, I do not know anyone making C414 PCBs at the moment. One would have to design their own and research the parts, I guess.

 

[Migs 31]

Is that the body from Mic & Mod? As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the ones from M & M look pretty exact, aside from colour. As far as suitability, again other than M & M, I do not know anyone making C414 PCBs at the moment. One would have to design their own and research the parts, I guess.

Hey @neowalla

No these are not M&M at all.
These are sold by Jenny.
I just ordered two Mic bodies from her.
Let’s see how quick they get here.
She does capsules, transformers, power supplies & cables too.

For a C-414B ULS, I’m sure we can make a board. EB more complicated due to DC-DC converter. Pattern switches...can be found I’m sure.

Cheers
Migou

 

[neowalla]

Hey @neowalla

No these are not M&M at all.
These are sold by Jenny.
I just ordered two Mic bodies from her.
Let’s see how quick they get here.
She does capsules, transformers, power supplies & cables too.

For a C-414B ULS, I’m sure we can make a board. EB more complicated due to DC-DC converter. Pattern switches...can be found I’m sure.

Cheers
Migou

Is Jenny the Shuayin place?
For DC-DC converter, I bought several of Jules Rykebush's from PCBway for his LDC Alice project on Instructables.

 

[Migs 31]

Is Jenny the Shuayin place?
For DC-DC converter, I bought several of Jules Rykebush's from PCBway for his LDC Alice project on Instructables.

Yep @neowalla

So a DC-DC converter board would be for an EB version.
A C-414 B ULS no DC-DC board.
Pattern switch, need to find that one.
Transformers can be found.
Transistors: 2SK30 R or O !?!
Any ideas ?

Who is in the know, who’ll share
What do you think, faisable ?

M

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

So, @neowalla
are these good candidates for a C-414 project?
What about a B ULS or EB version with brass capsule maybe?

M

Why's it got printing for a five pattern switch? The C414s before the modern ones were all 4 pattern, no? Obviously I know you didn't design it, but I'm wondering if you were given any information.

 

[Migs 31]

Why's it got printing for a five pattern switch? The C414s before the modern ones were all 4 pattern, no? Obviously I know you didn't design it, but I'm wondering if you were given any information.

@Icantthinkofaname

I have no clue.
I have seen another pic with only 4 patterns (see pic attached).

Conc. the insides: some people have succeeded in doing it properly.
M&M (but that name seems to upset people?)
@Spencerleehorton seemed to have some success.
This thread:

https://groupdiy.com/threads/c414-eb-p48-build.75491/page-8
Is anybody out there interested in doing C414 copies/PCB's?
Buy from M&M or DIY't yourself/home etch?


M

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

@Icantthinkofaname

I have no clue.
I have seen another pic with only 4 patterns (see pic attached).

Conc. the insides: some people have succeeded in doing it properly.
M&M (but that name seems to upset people?)
@Spencerleehorton seemed to have some success.
This thread:

https://groupdiy.com/threads/c414-eb-p48-build.75491/page-8
Is anybody out there interested in doing C414 copies/PCB's?
Buy from M&M or DIY't yourself/home etch?


M

I think Mic and Mod is hated for the same reason Microphone-Parts is. A couple hundred dollars of parts (probably not even that much I'm being pretty generous) sold for like $600+. We've got $30 Chinese capsules, and not even the really good ones usually, maybe $50-60 for the electronics (feel like $30-40 is more realistic but I don't know what the 4 way switches cost and that leaves some money for a cheap transformer though Mic and Mod's C414 doesn't have one). Then maybe $100 for the body, but more likely $50ish for a lot of em.

I'd rather do a group buy or pay someone on here to source everything. For the price of some (even DIY) C12 clones they should at least be coming with a proper CK12, even if it's Beesneez or OPR.

 

[neowalla]

@Icantthinkofaname

I have no clue.
I have seen another pic with only 4 patterns (see pic attached).

Conc. the insides: some people have succeeded in doing it properly.
M&M (but that name seems to upset people?)
@Spencerleehorton seemed to have some success.
This thread:

https://groupdiy.com/threads/c414-eb-p48-build.75491/page-8
Is anybody out there interested in doing C414 copies/PCB's?
Buy from M&M or DIY't yourself/home etch?


M

I plan to play around with PCB design at some point. If I came up with something I would post it up to PCBway and make a post linking to it on this forum. PCBway (and others of the kind) is/are so cheap and the quality is good. I personally wouldn't bother with home etching.

 

[damien]

Really looking forward where this BaiFei Li C-414 thread goes. I checked The excellent "Microphone Assasins" videos and was really impressed by the sound those cheap mic delivers. I'm still a bit confused about the capsule options the manufacturer offers.
There's 2 option for their C414 :

25mm (16mm diaphragm) for 49$
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...ional-Condenser-Microphone_1600845715544.html
34mm (25mm diaphragm) for 80$

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/BAIFEILI-C-414-34mm-Large-Diaphragm_1600845851037.html
They also have a KAICHI S414 (with a logo à la AKAI lol "S" for samplers like Akai S1000) :
16mm capsule for 34$
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...l-Studio-Recording-Desktop_1600838862406.html
Or a more vintagey finish version called VISA3:
16mm capsule for 34$
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...ional-Condenser-Microphone_1600844445278.html
I would use them for overheads as an AB pair or as stereo room mics in XY. Not sure they can handle the pressure but the form factor is perfect for drum toms as well. Maybe a small mod with a pad would be the solution.

The C414 and S414 have both the same enclosure, so if I want to upgrade the capsule anyway, I should probably get the cheaper one as a pair. I don't know yet.

Damien

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

Really looking forward where this BaiFei Li C-414 thread goes. I checked The excellent "Microphone Assasins" videos and was really impressed by the sound those cheap mic delivers. I'm still a bit confused about the capsule options the manufacturer offers.
There's 2 option for their C414 :

25mm (16mm diaphragm) for 49$
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...ional-Condenser-Microphone_1600845715544.html
34mm (25mm diaphragm) for 80$

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/BAIFEILI-C-414-34mm-Large-Diaphragm_1600845851037.html
They also have a S414 (with a logo à la AKAI lol ) :
16mm capsule for 34$
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...l-Studio-Recording-Desktop_1600838862406.html
Or a more vintagey finish version called VISA3:
16mm capsule for 34$
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...ional-Condenser-Microphone_1600844445278.html
I would use them for overheads as an AB pair or as stereo room mics in XY. Not sure they can handle the pressure but the form factor is perfect for drum toms as well. Maybe a small mod with a pad would be the solution.

The C414 and S414 have both the same enclosure, so if I want to upgrade the capsule anyway, I should probably get the cheaper one as a pair. I don't know yet.

Damien

Those look pretty cheap. I'd look at the Shuaiyin body. For similar money as the big capsule one. Since you're probably gonna be replacing the capsule anyway (if not circuitry and capsule) you should go with something that will be good quality.

 

[Chrisfromthepast]

anybody out there interested in doing C414 copies/PCB's

http://halfshavedyaks.xyz/pcb/C414.phpMaybe not exactly what you’re looking for, in terms of circuitry, but it could get you on your feet and testing out capsules?

 

[Tim Campbell]

The ULS is not really the microphone you want to copy. Because of the polarization scheme only capsules with isolated backplates can be used and they must be very isolated.

 

[Chrisfromthepast]

Sorry, this pcb doesn’t recreate the ULS its a completely different beast. The caption is misleading. This pcb (which I haven’t tried) simply claims to fit inside the body.
Given the frame is still an active harman sku for the uls and tls, I assume the Shuaiyin body will be based on this frame too.

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

Sorry, this pcb doesn’t recreate the ULS its a completely different beast. The caption is misleading. This pcb (which I haven’t tried) simply claims to fit inside the body.
Given the frame is still an active harman sku for the uls and tls, I assume the Shuaiyin body will be based on this frame too.

It's a bit weird IMO they didn't do anything for the pad and high pass filter, I get they don't use them much, and I can completely see not needing a HPF but the pad seems somewhat important with how popular C414s are for drums.

 

[Chrisfromthepast]

My intuition is way off,btw.
The uls body only allows the *headbasket off if one breaks the frame. Like so:

The Shuaiyin frame is a completely different take on the same shape.

*mounting frame for the mesh
EDITED for clarity hopefully

 

[Chrisfromthepast]

the pad seems somewhat important

Im with you there. The pad is an important part of what makes the 414 so versatile.

 

[Vac11]

Hello,

Here is my work of last weeks....Im waiting for switches now.
But hey, slightly there (design need some changes cause too many traces there).

Some design hints:
- C12 capsule from Tim
- Moby´s U54 transformer
- HPF a PAD switches
- Pattern switch rewired for matching the marks on body
- teflon pins in HiZ section (partial)

IMHO not project for DIY mics beginners.....

Best

M.

 

[TillM]

Milan you are the man !!!

 

[Icantthinkofaname]

So, @neowalla
are these good candidates for a C-414 project?
What about a B ULS or EB version with brass capsule maybe?

M

@Icantthinkofaname

I have no clue.
I have seen another pic with only 4 patterns (see pic attached).

Conc. the insides: some people have succeeded in doing it properly.
M&M (but that name seems to upset people?)
@Spencerleehorton seemed to have some success.
This thread:

https://groupdiy.com/threads/c414-eb-p48-build.75491/page-8
Is anybody out there interested in doing C414 copies/PCB's?
Buy from M&M or DIY't yourself/home etch?


M

Ah, I didn't realize it at first but the body you got is clearly supposed to be for a modern C414 clone. Patterns are in the same order as a C414 XLS.