Condenser Capsule

[moshee18]

Hello everyone
My name is Moshe Etzioni from Israel.
I have been a sound engineer for 45 years.
In the last two years you've started building microphones.
I build reproductions of Neumann and AKG
I would be happy to receive some information about manufacturers of high quality capsules for the following microphones:

Neumann U-47, U-67, U-87 and C-12 AKG

And how important is the manufacturer who gives the best monetary value to the highest quality capsule.

Best regards
Moshe

 

[RuudNL]

Do you want the best quality (at any price), or the best value for money?
It seems the Tim Campbell CT12 capsule is the most accurate replica of the original CK12 capsule.
For the other capsules: no other capsule than a Neumann capsule will deliver Neumann quality...
But don't underestimate some Chinese manufacturers!
There is a lot of variation in quality, but the 'good' manufacturers make a very decent K67 or K47 capsule at a fraction of the Neumann price.

 

[mics]

Do you want the best quality (at any price), or the best value for money?
It seems the Tim Campbell CT12 capsule is the most accurate replica of the original CK12 capsule.
For the other capsules: no other capsule than a Neumann capsule will deliver Neumann quality...
But don't underestimate some Chinese manufacturers!
There is a lot of variation in quality, but the 'good' manufacturers make a very decent K67 or K47 capsule at a fraction of the Neumann price.

I must disagree here!

The k67, k87 and k47 capsules are the easiest to remake.

We make thousands and they sound exactly like the original.

 

[Rishisv]

There are a few companies who sell capsules: Advanced Audio Microphones, microphone-parts.com, http://beesneezmics.com
and a few more. I have not heard any of their capsules so far, but I intend to get startet with an Advanced Audio AK67 plus one of their transformers.... all of them also sell "ready to roll" microfones for a decent price

 

[Moby]

Tim ck12 is really great capsule, also, I was very happy with http://www.heisermanaudio.com

 

[Recording Engineer]

I must disagree here!

The k67, k87 and k47 capsules are the easiest to remake.

We make thousands and they sound exactly like the original.

I have know idea if they sound exactly the same nor do I care, but I also disagree that only Neumann is the only one capable of Neumann quality. For example, every Beesneez product I’ve had my hands and ears on is absolutely equal in quality to Neumann in every way; sound included.

 

[RuudNL]

The vision of microphone specialist Klaus Heyne:

"Yes, despite audible, sometimes frustrating, variations of their current issue K67/870/87, we can still expect Neumann quality to be audibly superior to any aftermarket capsule or reskinning offering, regardless of provenance. "

 

[Recording Engineer]

To say one thing is or is not audibly the same is one thing. The opinion in creative auditory satisfaction is another.

And let’s be clear, not to speak for Klaus, but from what I gather, his opinion is based on capsules (along with any other part) inside vintage microphones in order to get whatever said microphone’s original sound is.

 

[mics]

The vision of microphone specialist Klaus Heyne:

"Yes, despite audible, sometimes frustrating, variations of their current issue K67/870/87, we can still expect Neumann quality to be audibly superior to any aftermarket capsule or reskinning offering, regardless of provenance. "

So many big words!  I really like Klaus but really...... what does he make?  Unless an individual is able to really manufacture a product, how can the opinion be so biased?

Show me the samples, show me the comparisons.

I can make a recording using an original neumann, a reskinned  Neumann and one of my capsules all in the same mic.  You won't be able to choose which is which!  I promise and I challenge anyone to be able to hear the difference, regardless of provenance!!

 

[abbey road d enfer]

The vision of microphone specialist Klaus Heyne:

KH is a good historian; his technical abilities are quirky at best. Look at his views on NFB (Zenon of Elea paradox), cathode-bias vs. fixed-bias and audibility of 1st-order HP filters. I believe he had to make public amends regarding one of these subjects.