D12 Alternate diaphragms

[mobyd]

OK the D12 (D25,D30) thing has been kicked around endlessly and it is clear that original replacement dias are simply unobtanium. Q : What other mics (preferably less popular) were made by AKG that used the same dia hence usable for donors.

 

[gyraf]

afaik, none compatible (or they'd been used up long ago also).

As we've discussed many times before - someone should persuade one of the chinese microphone oem's do do a run of spares..

/Jakob E.

 

[Whoops]

someone should persuade one of the chinese microphone oem's do do a run of spares..

Yes, if someone takes exact and precise measurements I don't see any difficulty for a Chinese microphone company to produce that.
Basically all the D12 (and family) could be fixed then

 

[groselicain]

I've got a working D12 here, and if anyone in the Nashville area thought they could take the measurements necessary I'd gladly help out. Never got the opportunity to use the D25, and some swear it's better than the D25. Same goes for the D30. Are we sure they're the same capsule and only differ in the mechanical design?

 

[Whoops]

I've got a working D12 here, and if anyone in the Nashville area thought they could take the measurements necessary I'd gladly help out.

Best would be someone that is used to take the Diaphragm out like Esa Tervala. Probably he is the best person to take exact measurements and technical info that could be used to produce a new Diaphragm in China.

 

[Whoops]

Never got the opportunity to use the D25, and some swear it's better than the D25. Same goes for the D30. Are we sure they're the same capsule and only differ in the mechanical design?

This is the info I have regarding D12 and family:

The D12 was available in a few variants, the D12A, D20, D25, D30, D45 which housed the same type capsules, but came with lowcuts, elastic suspension or remote controlled pickup pattern - whoa!! D22 = stereo D12!

D12 (versions D12/60, D12/200, D12/250, D12/Hi): 1953/1954 stopped probably in 1976
D20/60B, D20/200B, D20/250B, D20B/L (= D12 with Bass-filter): 1961
D25/60B, D25/200B, D25/250B (= D12 with integrated spider suspension): 1959
D30B (= D12 with selectable polar pattern): 1959
D36B (= D12 with remotely selectable polar pattern):1961 (1963 ?)
D40B (= D30B with integrated spider suspension): 1959/1960
D22B (Stereo version with two rotatable D12): 1966
D12E (relauch of the original D12 with built in XLR plug): 1978, stopped in 1986
Telefunken M410 and M411 (rebrand from AKG D17)
Echolette ED12/200
Echolette Select Master 12
The Echolette Top-12 - Same cartridge as an AKG D-12, but no transformer.

 

[mobyd]

This is the info I have regarding D12 and family:

The D12 was available in a few variants, the D12A, D20, D25, D30, D45 which housed the same type capsules, but came with lowcuts, elastic suspension or remote controlled pickup pattern - whoa!! D22 = stereo D12!

D12 (versions D12/60, D12/200, D12/250, D12/Hi): 1953/1954 stopped probably in 1976
D20/60B, D20/200B, D20/250B, D20B/L (= D12 with Bass-filter): 1961
D25/60B, D25/200B, D25/250B (= D12 with integrated spider suspension): 1959
D30B (= D12 with selectable polar pattern): 1959
D36B (= D12 with remotely selectable polar pattern):1961 (1963 ?)
D40B (= D30B with integrated spider suspension): 1959/1960
D22B (Stereo version with two rotatable D12): 1966
D12E (relauch of the original D12 with built in XLR plug): 1978, stopped in 1986
Telefunken M410 and M411 (rebrand from AKG D17)
Echolette ED12/200
Echolette Select Master 12
The Echolette Top-12 - Same cartridge as an AKG D-12, but no transformer.

Thanks, Whoops, that's exactly what I was looking for - especially as I have a couple of D17s kicking around.

 

[David König]

Hi guys, I am repairing 2-3 D12 based mics a months and my experience is that nowadays they differ more in between individual pieces then between versions. It might be vice versa when they were new - I heard that capsules were selected for D25, D30, D45... And it is true that factory charts are not the same. Who knows.
About 10% of diaphragms of D12 mics got too stiff due aging and are irrepairable.
The same diaphragms are in cheaper mics but unfortunatelly "no go" - they are too stiff and lacking bass end (even D17). I tried many times with no luck.

 

[David König]

Also there were 3 generations of D12 diaphragms during time of production and sometimes you find later capsule in early mic - probably because it was sent to AKG for repair.