Ela-M 251 Body from Aliexpress

[geekmacdaddy]

Here's an acoustic guitar clip. I notched out some annoying overtone frequencies and dropped 100 and 200, but didn't add...might've sprinkled some 12k in there...can't remember. Don't get old.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rj3c...h-eq.wav?rlkey=c73qc3up45rjyw45fdfrtd0fx&dl=0

 

[Tim Campbell]

So we are listening to an eq'ed clip? Doesn't that defeat the purpose here?

 

[tonycamp]

Got my pair of Poctop's set up as per HerbertR's fab idea, i'll attach some finish pics when i'm done....(FAF 251 SN 001)=FAF= "Fake as F^ck"
Using 2 Tim C's caps, original beyschlage's, original tranny's, wet tant's etc, trying within reason/unreason to get it as close as possible to the real deals

 

[geekmacdaddy]

So we are listening to an eq'ed clip? Doesn't that defeat the purpose here?

Beg your pardon. My excitement made me forget our "purpose". Here is un-eq'd.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/d4dm...-ELA.wav?rlkey=o6a1qh1jn56t6flo690d1khkd&dl=0

 

[Tim Campbell]

Beg your pardon. My excitement made me forget our "purpose". Here is un-eq'd.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/d4dm...-ELA.wav?rlkey=o6a1qh1jn56t6flo690d1khkd&dl=0

I am just saying how can we judge the sound of the mic? If we eq'ed every sound file all mics would sound the same. I am sure it sounds stellar even without eq.

 

[tonycamp]

One transplant successful one to go, still need to put a rubber ring inside the base bell, i will end up painting these for 2 reasons, 1. they are scratched around the bell where they went in further originally, and 2. the color seems a little puke yellowish imo, otherwise pretty sweet! Im open to any suggestions on colors to paint, i was thinking a cement gray or maybe that pastel green??? .....

 

[Barry Hufker]

Mint seems pretty common to me. Puke yellow for this mic has always appealed to me (no subtext). How about culinary mustard?

 

[tonycamp]

Yes we do excellent R&D for companies free of charge

Hi Tim or anyone of you other elitists with a real 251, could you at your convenience take a couple measurements of your 251 so us peasants can more accurately flatter our emulations?.....
Ok, steal the look I listed A,B,C,D,E on the photo below, the weight of my mic as built is.....Heavy!(my scale is inop) I'm seriously considering taking the body to a machine shop to lathe it's weight down, its mic stand collapsing heavy!

Wish list of data points off an original, here's what i'm thinking......
1. W x H of the T cutout?
2. location of the "E" down from the bottom edge of the head basket?
3. location of the badge down from the bottom edge of the head basket?
4. weight of the entire mic?
I think we can proportionally estimate anything else that comes to mind with these measurements

thanx
Tony

 

[Tim Campbell]

Hi Tim or anyone of you other elitists with a real 251, could you at your convenience take a couple measurements of your 251 so us peasants can more accurately flatter our emulations?.....
Ok, steal the look I listed A,B,C,D,E on the photo below, the weight of my mic as built is.....Heavy!(my scale is inop) I'm seriously considering taking the body to a machine shop to lathe it's weight down, its mic stand collapsing heavy!

Wish list of data points off an original, here's what i'm thinking......
1. W x H of the T cutout?
2. location of the "E" down from the bottom edge of the head basket?
3. location of the badge down from the bottom edge of the head basket?
4. weight of the entire mic?
I think we can proportionally estimate anything else that comes to mind with these measurements

thanx
Tony

I'll do this as soon as possible. I am swamped right now but I will try this weekend

 

[Tim Campbell]

The measurements are as follows:

A - 22mm
B - 10mm
C - 7mm
D - 40mm
E -15mm

the height of both the long and also narrow opening is 5mm each (B - 10mm)

 

[geekmacdaddy]

New sound clip with some changes. Out went the Beesneez Capsule and in went OPR. The cathode resistor is now 2.7k(ish) with 20uf cap. Big difference to me. LOVING OPR's lovely bottom, perfect top, and balanced detailed mids. No eq or compression. Tim.
Old Sample
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nhvv...st-2.wav?rlkey=9vn830o2j3qgj4be3qcxeln31&dl=0
New sample
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hfrv...hode.wav?rlkey=18c7ndfjyaj5l1g9epuyvm5tc&dl=0

 

[micolas]

New sound clip with some changes. Out went the Beesneez Capsule and in went OPR. The cathode resistor is now 2.7k(ish) with 20uf cap. Big difference to me. LOVING OPR's lovely bottom, perfect top, and balanced detailed mids. No eq or compression. Tim.
Old Sample
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nhvv...st-2.wav?rlkey=9vn830o2j3qgj4be3qcxeln31&dl=0
New sample
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hfrv...hode.wav?rlkey=18c7ndfjyaj5l1g9epuyvm5tc&dl=0

Yes, I think it sounds nice too!
In the old test, I hear more sibilance, it sounds thinner, a bit artificial.
In the new test I hear more dimension, a pleasant, deeper roundness, it has a credible tonal balance, a natural, attractive vibe

 

[geekmacdaddy]

Yes, I think it sounds nice too!
In the old test, I hear more sibilance, it sounds thinner, a bit artificial.
In the new test I hear more dimension, a pleasant, deeper roundness, it has a credible tonal balance, a natural, attractive vibe

I think changing the bias R was huge, making it less overdriven. Thanks micolas. Nice capsule, Mark! As always, thanks HerbertR for the extra help.

 

[garp]

Where have you got the metal capsule saddles and acrylic base ?

 

[geekmacdaddy]

Where have you got the metal capsule saddles and acrylic base ?

The metal capsule saddles come with capsule. Acrylic base...
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...st_main.5.21ef1802j2aCNZ&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

[MicMaven]

I'm open to any suggestions on colors to paint, i was thinking a cement gray or maybe that pastel green??? .....

I like deep red, or hammered grey/black. Photos depict a couple of my attempts. James

 

[OPR]

New sound clip with some changes. Out went the Beesneez Capsule and in went OPR. The cathode resistor is now 2.7k(ish) with 20uf cap. Big difference to me. LOVING OPR's lovely bottom, perfect top, and balanced detailed mids. No eq or compression. Tim.
Old Sample
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nhvv...st-2.wav?rlkey=9vn830o2j3qgj4be3qcxeln31&dl=0
New sample
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hfrv...hode.wav?rlkey=18c7ndfjyaj5l1g9epuyvm5tc&dl=0

Hey Jeff,
Awesome to hear that you're enjoying the capsules! I sent the other pair you ordered this morning.
Thanks so much for the great review and samples ! Much appreciated!
Your mic is sounding awesome!

Here's a live recording by Australia artist Missy Higgins singing through my O.P.R PLAN 251 ULTRALUX which of course has my Ck12.
enjoy!