F22 Mic from AliExpress. Is it any good? What is it based on?

[Emmathom]

We are both in the EU, we don't pay customs duties, only the transport. Unless I have friends in Paris who come home on vacation.

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/instruments_de_musique/2630608228
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/instruments_de_musique/2640560175

 

[micolas]

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/instruments_de_musique/2630608228
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/instruments_de_musique/2640560175

P420 black is preferable, it is newer, the components have not aged, the capsule is not loaded with saliva, dust, dirt, etc.
P420 black stock, has self-noise 15dBA better than Perception420 blue which has 16dBA.

 

[micolas]

Yes maybe I should have bought another SC1100 for this tube mic... But anyway if I really enjoy the result, it's not a pb to get a (third) second-hand SC1100 (80€ more-or-less) and use the original capsule

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/instruments_de_musique/2493773593

 

[ArthurPinto]

I received a version with through hole components.
On the audio PCB are 2 x 2SK170BL, 1 x BC547 and 1 x BC547.
Capsule is a 25 mm electret, that looks like a TS-2555, but it isn't.
The original capsule is lacking the lowest frequencies.
Put in a real TS-2555 and you've got a pretty decent microphone!

THIS is the link. (I bought it for 32 Euros!)
I have a feeling they just put in what they have available at the moment...
The PCBs look exactly the same as the ones from DaveLTX , the only difference is that my PCBs are black.

Sorry to bother, Ruud, but you swapped the original 26mm capsule mount and installed the standard 34mm one, right? I'm buying the mic and the 77jc capsule tomorrow and I don't want to miss anything from the order to just mod it right away!

 

[FetMe?FetU!]

Hey guys! I'm REALLY new into the hobby and want to get some help with it. I have a basic home studio and I mostly produce demos and stripped-down stuff. I already have a couple of 57's, some Behringer C4's to record in XY, a Takstar CM63 to record mono acoustics and a AKG C214 that I use on everything and really like on vocals and acoustic guitar. I wanted to buy another condenser to use together with the C214 for acoustic or vocals. As I live in Brazil and taxes are crazy, my budget is limited to $50 and I REALLY can't extend it because of taxes, so BaiFeiLi mics are out of question, as are most US made ones.

I was watching some videos and saw one about a "TEMU F22" from SkeetGuitar (I don't know if I can post links, so I won't) and kinda liked the tone of it. As it's inside my budget I might buy the 26mm capsule version of it and probably swap out the capsule, as the crazy brazillian taxes don't let me buy the 34mm one. I found some circuit and capsule pics at [email protected] but couldn't contact the guy who posted.

I wanted to know about the circuit, as I cant identify it because I'm new in the hobby, what capsule suits it best (I really like K12's and V47's) and if this mic is ANY GOOD at all or should I only use it as a body donor. I'm open to suggestions if I should build something from scratch buying stuff one at a time because of the $50 budget limit because of the taxes, but as I'm not really confident in my skills, something pre-built, a kit or a buy list in Brazil would be better.

I don't want the best mic in the world at this point as I'm starting out and still not serious about it. I just want something that's decent and "good enough" right now. I want to upgrade, but I can't buy something better in the near future.

Pics from the circuit and the video are below. I'm writing below the comments from the guy who took the pic too to give some context about it.

"I want to share this microphone that I just bought as a donor body for my DIY. It is pretty similar to Telefunken mics. I found this on Shopee and there are mics like this on Aliexpress. It is called F22 condenser microphone. When I bought it, it comes with a 25mm capsule and these identical circuit board, which is funny that they included 2 of them: one is the functional one with components and the other has few components missing. These boards are attached with two wires. On the picture, I have replaced the capsule with the one that I am using."

I'm planning on getting an OPA Alice populated board and a 25mm electret from JLI. I don't know what the taxes are like for you, but here in the US, I can get the parts under $50 and install them in any number of donar body microphones. Based on reviews from other creators, this is an excellent, low-noise board, and the capsule is the same one used in microphones that sell for more than $500 from a variety of brands. Ignore the 34mm capsule I've also got in my basket. What's nice is that if you want to upgrade to a true condenser 34 mm high-quality capsule in the future, you can buy a DC daughter board on JLI that works with this OPA Alice board for $35. An upgrade path is always nice.

 

[MicMaven]

the capsule is the same one used in microphones that sell for more than $500 from a variety of brands.

Can you name specific models that fit this description?

I believe the 25mm capsule is labeled JLI-2555BXZ3-GP and costs $12.95. JLI may sell 34mm capsules for around $25, but I do not recall a 25mm capsule for $25. I would be surprised to find it in $500 micorphones. Frequency Response (Hz):50-20k with S/N Ratio (dB):>65. It is good, but not $500 microphone good - sounding thin and bright to my ears, I am using one with CAD E40, JLI OPA Alice, Samson G-Track, and MXL-700 circuit boards in various bodies. I like it because it is clear, crisp and articulate, but not particularly fat and full-bodied, at least in my limited experience. I believe it was in the original CAD E100 and possibly now in the CAD E100Sx - but of course that is just MY take ... your mileage may vary. James

 

[FetMe?FetU!]

Can you name specific models that fit this description?

I believe the 25mm capsule is labeled JLI-2555BXZ3-GP and costs $12.95. JLI may sell 34mm capsules for around $25, but I do not recall a 25mm capsule for $25. I would be surprised to find it in $500 micorphones. Frequency Response (Hz):50-20k with S/N Ratio (dB):>65. It is good, but not $500 microphone good - sounding thin and bright to my ears, I am using one with CAD E40, JLI OPA Alice, Samson G-Track, and MXL-700 circuit boards in various bodies. I like it because it is clear, crisp and articulate, but not particularly fat and full-bodied, at least in my limited experience. I believe it was in the original CAD E100 and possibly now in the CAD E100Sx - but of course that is just MY take ... your mileage may vary. James

James, you are correct, and I stand corrected. I was referring to the CAD-E100S, which I have been told used the JLI-2555 capsule. It is highly sought after and sells used in the $500 price range, sometimes above and sometimes below. I hope this clarifies. Also, I will let you know when my parts come in and when I finish my build if it sounds the way you describe or how I have heard the combination described. I'm trying to understand if the JLI OPA Alice board can be modded to adjust the overall tone, as the KING KORG mod changes the AKG Perception P4XX series sound. If nothing else, the research and, ultimately, the attempt should be interesting and fun. Also, I am getting the 34mm JLI capsule to try as well. I have seen videos demonstrating that this capsule, when swapped into a Scarlett CM25 low-end electret condenser microphone, offers excellent range with a pronounced bass, so I wonder how that will pair with the OPA Alice. Fun stuff!