CK12 construction explained

[kingkorg]

A great article on CK12 patent. Which also proves the point that k67 backplate style edge terminated capsules can not perform as the original CK12.

The whole point of CK12 patent was to overcome design limitations of capsules like RK12, Rode's capsules, and all other CK12 wannabes.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/austrian.audio/the-ck12-capsule-demystified/amp/

 

[ricardo]

Thanks for this kingkorg.
http://www.saturn-sound.com/curio's.htm
has some clearer diagrams of CK12 and also the later C12 capsules.

I'm not sure it's 'impossible' to replicate CK12 performance with a simpler backplate assembly. Bernhard Weingartner, who designed CK12 & C12 certainly thought he could do this with the much simpler Debenham, Robinson & Stebbings backplate (very like K47). But his design aims were very different from what is considered pukka C12/CK12 today.

I have this from Clem Beaumont, my microphone & capsule design mentor at Calrec. Clem was a good friend of Bernhard and they discussed this over many years. Bernhard's encouragement led to the formation of Calrec .. and hence my later involvement with microphones.

 

[kato]

The whole point of CK12 patent was to overcome design limitations of capsules like RK12, Rode's capsules, and all other CK12 wannabes.

It's so weird that they would publish that on their website, since they make their own CK12 wannabe.

It is no wonder that practically everyone asserts a claim to having emulated this wonderful-sounding classic.

It's almost like they're hoping to imply that their own CKR12 capsule has the same inner chamber found in a 50's AKG CK12 or a modern CT12. Not cool, marketing people.

 

[kingkorg]

Their capsule is multichambered, however materials used and the construction is different. Closer to latter C414 capsules.

They are relying on modern manufacturing processes for consistency instead of tuning. However the variations and hand tuning is what created part of the magic, probably no two CK12 sound exactly the same. Which is an issue when making and comparing clones. How do you pick "the right one"?

Their response ia flatter than C12 or 251 mics. Closer to c414.

One dumb thing they did is that cover on top of the grille. It creates unnecessary reflections, and is probably the cause of the dip at about 8K. No CK12 mic should have a dip there.