Experience with AliExpress condenser mic capsules

[ijvanl]

Hi all,
I'm looking to get ahold of a reasonably cheap K47-clone capsule for a proof-of-concept prototype mic I'm building. This is more of a test of the body shape, basic circuitry and build process than anything else, so all it really needs to do is be a 34 x 9ish mm size, be a true condenser (i. e. not an electret), and sound sorta okay most of the time.
I've heard that most of what you're paying for with many DIY capsules is the testing & quality control processes, more so than the actual "quality" of the average final product, but that being said, what are people's general experiences with the super-cheap "K47-style" capsules you find on places like AliExpress?
Or "crapsules", as the case may be.
Many thanks
— ishtar

 

[kingkorg]

Hi all,
I'm looking to get ahold of a reasonably cheap K47-clone capsule for a proof-of-concept prototype mic I'm building. This is more of a test of the body shape, basic circuitry and build process than anything else, so all it really needs to do is be a 34 x 9ish mm size, be a true condenser (i. e. not an electret), and sound sorta okay most of the time.
I've heard that most of what you're paying for with many DIY capsules is the testing & quality control processes, more so than the actual "quality" of the average final product, but that being said, what are people's general experiences with the super-cheap "K47-style" capsules you find on places like AliExpress?
Or "crapsules", as the case may be.
Many thanks
— ishtar

I have bought and measured quite a few of these. They were all good, and pretty consistent. They have more midrange than a true k47 should have, by a couple of db. This can easily be eq'ed out, as they behave just like k47 capsule should. They measure just like Microphone Parts capsules i had. Beware that some people have bought these, not necessarily from the same source, and had issues with IIRC wrinkled diaphragms and particles stuck under the diaphragm. I, again, never had an issue. I have also bought some edge terminated ones from them, no issue there either.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGTqUrJ

 

[Drosselmeier]

Good choice. I use similar once

 

[machprod]

I have bought and measured quite a few of these. ...
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGTqUrJ

I would be interested to know if anyone has made some kitchen-science tests with freq response and THD on capsules available on ALI. (like roomeqwizard.com in some dead room or box ?)

On Ali, I recently bought a couple u87 looking mics and a TLM102 looking mic. The mic's were cheaper than buying the mic body, so before buying all the parts, I have working mics ( with a pretty high noise floor as it turns out, but its ~=passable if it is on a gated instrument )

I have been considering buying several capsules and transformers (from ali) , swapping them around. But if someone has already done some work, or if I might be able to add to work already done, that would be cool.

 

[Emmathom]

43€ saddle included... ?
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EJHELnh

 

[kingkorg]

43€ saddle included... ?
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EJHELnh

Too expensive. These go for 15-20$. They are interesting k67/k47 hybrids. They use only half of k67.

 

[LevinGuitar]

Any source for the old k67 copy (cardioid only) that used Manley, Groove tubes, Alesis, M audio and so? It was a quite good cheap capsule

 

[micolas]

Any source for the old k67 copy (cardioid only) that used Manley, Groove tubes, Alesis, M audio and so? It was a quite good cheap capsule

From ebay, the whole microphone, at reasonable prices
M-audio Nova and Sterling ST-51

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=m-audio+nova&_sop=12&_kwlnd=1

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=sterling+st-51&_sop=12&_kwlnd=1

 

[LevinGuitar]

Yes, I do find theese at similar prices in my local market, for sure the Nova is the best because of the headbasket. A u87 mod for theese mics have been discussed and described here years ago. Way better deal than buying new bodies, capsules from china and the rest of the internal parts.
Just wanted to know if there are spare source for the capsules or at least to find the maker

 

[elskardio]

Anyone found a good K67 on Aliexpress?

I was about to order the TSC-2 from JLI, but shipping is pretty expensive to Canada ($30 USD)

 

[elskardio]

I have bought and measured quite a few of these. They were all good, and pretty consistent. They have more midrange than a true k47 should have, by a couple of db. This can easily be eq'ed out, as they behave just like k47 capsule should. They measure just like Microphone Parts capsules i had. Beware that some people have bought these, not necessarily from the same source, and had issues with IIRC wrinkled diaphragms and particles stuck under the diaphragm. I, again, never had an issue. I have also bought some edge terminated ones from them, no issue there either.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGTqUrJ

What screw size is needed to mount those k47 capsule from AliExpress?
I can’t seem to find a fit!
Thanks

 

[micolas]

What screw size is needed to mount those k47 capsule from AliExpress?
I can’t seem to find a fit!
Thanks

It is possible that m1.6 will work

 

[elskardio]

It is possible that m1.6 will work

I ordered a kit of tiny screws of all sizes!
I will report back

 

[micolas]

I ordered a kit of tiny screws of all sizes!
I will report back

You have acted very wisely.
Ali capsules can be very unpredictable, including mechanically.