Capsule parts

[wilberweb]

Hi, I am a new user, sorry if this information was posted, I searched and wasn't able to find it.
  I am going to attempt to build a u47 Capsule I found a lot of information on capsules, but not where to buy parts like Mylar gold for sputtering a diaphragm, that sort of information, or how to sputter the gold onto the Mylar, are there any web sites or books on this subject.
 
Thanks in advance
Larry

 

[pyjaman]

Hi,
There are some topics about that. You could search in the meta-meta => microphones meta => DIY mics meta. But I don't think you will find any "simple how-to" topic anyway. That's a quite complicated subject, requiring lots of precision tools and skills. Also search for Dale Ulan site (http://www.10000cows.com/). he makes capsule and gives some infos about sputering gold on diaphragm...

Laurent.

 

[wilberweb]

Hi,Laurent
Thanks for the reply,I know it is a complicated proses I have plans on getting some tools like lathe,milling machine that sort of thing,
I have built some complex tools and electronics,so I am willing to learn, I know it will be hard at first, and I will probably mess up a lot of capsule's and hopefully I will get it right. I know there are some great folks with a lot of knowledge on this site as well and some great information that will help,thanks for the links I will check it out.

best regards
Larry

 

 

[pyjaman]

You're welcome. I guess those here who did it began the same way -the hard one- experimenting, and failing more than once before they achieve good results. I'm not the one who could help you further, but I'm sure the experienced ones here will be there when you'll have progress and practical problems to share.
So good luck and good readings. Hoping to see another capsules builder around here in a near future...

Laurent.

 

[wilberweb]

Thanks,
They all had to learn by just jumping in at some point, I am willing to make some mistakes or a lot of them,
its how we learn.

best regards
Larry

 

[gemini86]

Well if you do start getting this going, I'm making you my new best friend. Nice to see another Eugene diyer!

 

[shabtek]

don't know how much of the wheel you will be inventing--have you tried 'tuning' cheap china capsules yet?

 

[kooma]

.. 'tuning' cheap china capsules..

Is somewhere more info about this?

 

[shabtek]

.. 'tuning' cheap china capsules..
Is somewhere more info about this?

changing tension on capsule, polarizing voltage, housing shape/material, head amp electronics...1 change at a time
evaluate results with ears.

 

[kooma]

Yeah,I've done some other stuff, but not tuning the capsule itself.
I couldnt find much info on how to do it,
just bunch of people saying how much it could change the sound
or how someone makes decent mic's with those capsules "tuned"

 

[wilberweb]

Sorry, I missed all the post my computer was down,
its good to see some folks from Eugene as well, I have checked in on some capsule's from china
you need to order  50 capsule's at once, but I will be working on getting some things started soon.
working also on finding pre sputtered Mylars.
It sound like its a complicated proses, hope I will be able to master the craft. 


Larry

 

[wilberweb]

I may need to start a new thread I don't know its a different subject, if so I apologize.
my question is on the microphone market, is there room for another mic design,capsules, amps,
that sort of thing. It seems their are a lot of designs, from mics,to amps,interface equipment, software.
how is the market?  just wondering.


thanks
Larry

 

[speakercoil]

Well let's put it this way... The market is flooded with mic companies, and well... gear companies in general... HOWEVER... It isn't flooded with Capsule makers.

Look at it this way. The majority of the cheap mics you see out there are getting their capsules from China and they suck. The higher end guys are generally outsourcing their capsules from Peluso, etc... Even Peluso has part of his capsules made in China.

There are very few people who actually make their own capsules... The ones I can think of are... Beeskneez, Korby, Peluso, Thiersch (who doesn't build mics just capsules), Flea, MBHO, and Tim Campbell (only makes capsules)... So that's not really what I would call flooded. Typically the people fixing up cheap chinese mics go with Peluso. The people going for higher end tend to go with Thiersch or Campbell... Flea's capsules I haven't read much about, but I think they are mainly just used in his clones. MBHO I haven't looked into much. Beeskneez mainly builds mics, but they do offer a K47 capsule as well which I haven't heard much about (but their mics are supposed to kick ass). Finally there is Korby, who doesn't really sell capsules but his mics are probably my favorite on the list. Of course I am biassed on that, because he is a super nice guy and has a really nice family. Also they make the best peanut brittle in the whole freaking world!!!!! And I mean you know what they say about people who make good peanut brittle... They make killer capsules.

So yeah... I say go for it. Capsule making is a total art form, and not many people have the tools, time, resources, or steady hand to master it. However if you do, you will be hit up by a lot of DIY'ers for capsules. Trust me I will be one of them. However also be prepared for people to bitch and moan about how your M7 is not as good as the original.

That being said... I say once you get the hang of it, try and design your own capsules... Most of these companies limit themselves to the following capsules... The M7, K47, K67, C12, and M8. Not many make small diaphragm capsules which would be a cool DIY option. Also a completely new kind of capsule would be cool. Keep in mind other metals have been used before... Like the M50 originally had an aluminum capsule I believe!

So be brave go forth and go for it! This of course is totally from a selfish standpoint because I want another future source for good capsules! lol... but that should reflect the market a little bit!

-Grant

 

[Skylar]

There are very few people who actually make their own capsules... The ones I can think of are... Beeskneez, Korby, Peluso, Thiersch (who doesn't build mics just capsules), Flea, MBHO, and Tim Campbell (only makes capsules)...

There's also Dale, Marik, and Burdij, and others I may have left out.


As far as Peluso making capsules...from what I can tell, he gets stock Chinese capsules and tunes the resonant frequency of the diaphragm.
There's an NPR interview where you can hear him doing it with a can of compressed air.
So, if this is true, then I would not call that "[making his] own capsules."

Of course, I could be entirely wrong about that, and I welcome Mr. Peluso to correct me.
From what I have heard, he sounds like a nice guy.




You may have already read some of these:
DIY capsule
Getting gold onto diaphragm
My latest capsules
Capsule construction. the practical aspect
aluminum vs. gold vs. nickel vs. brass plated caps...
Building capsules


I think that to make a great capsule, you will need to jump in, as someone said, and experiment with several designs and construction techniques until you figure out what works and what does not.

But before you can begin experimenting, you will need the equipment to construct the capsule.
-Lathe and/or Mill (CNC or at least with an XYZ readout)
-Thermal evaporator or sputtering system
-Tooling & Jigs for milling, assembly, and tuning (this will take a little ingenuity, as you will likely be "inventing" these to some extent)

It's expensive to tool-up for capsule creation.
[Some duplicate info in this post...just thinking out-loud.]

 

[speakercoil]

oooo more to check out... Skylar as always sir you are filled with a world of information... I have to check those guys out before I chose my final M7 capsule!

I think you are right about Peluso... I was going to say that, but I didn't want to say that, be wrong, and get flamed for saying it! So hearing it from you I think that is correct!

I would love to hear that NPR thing with him... That sounds very interesting.

I will say even with those other three... That's still not what I would call flooded. Especially when you look at the number of companies making mics, preamps, etc... I mean just with mics you have...

Wunder, Wagner, Telefunken-USA, Audio-Technica, SE, Neumann, Gefell, Schoeps, AKG, Avantone Bock, Brauner, Peluso, GT, Josephson, Korby, M-Audio, Manley, Sony, Shure, Mojave, Colles, AEA, Audix, Earthworks, DPA, Sennheiser... Just to name a few... I mean there are hundreds of them... Where as with capsule makers you can count them on two hands, and a lot of the guys who have "mastered" it are getting up there in age... We need fresh blood!!!! Not to mention your competition making mics includes some heavy hitters as you can see... Where as with mic capsules everyone is sort of under the radar for the most part.

-Grant

-Grant

 

[Skylar]

Peluso story

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89705610

It almost sounds like he's crinkling mylar as he's "tuning."
Not sure what that's all about.

 

[wilberweb]

Hi, guys great reply's to my follow up question, I didn't expect to get such a response with so many great Ideas and links, I did talk with dale he sent me some great information on all the specs and measurements for some of the capsule he builds, I guess I need to get a lathe,milling machines,I have a drill press band saw I have some experience on machine work from high school, I built some ultralight aircraft manufactured some of the parts for that as well, it was my own design so I needed to build some parts from scratch.
not sure how to go about sputtering I need to do a little more research into Mylar, gold sputtering, and the equipment necessary for that proses hope I can master that craft, it looks very involved. It may be awhile, before I can get started.
This kind of equipment isn't cheap so it may need to be a one tool at a time kind of ordeal with harbor freight as my main tool supplier, I will go back through the post and see if I can read on how to build that gold sputtering proses machine, I didn't see where to build a homemade sputtering device does any one have that information? 
thanks guys for all the information its been fun looking into the proses. I need to also put some capsule drawings on my cad as well so I will have that info.


Larry