Inside the t.bone SC440/450 USB - Gutting party for mic DIYer?

[rock soderstrom]

Hi guys

maybe this is interesting for someone here.

At the moment there are tons of t.bone microphones with USB connection on the second hand market. The quickly ended careers of many Youtube/ Tiktok and Twitch streamers ensures a large supply of low budget mics. Among them are some less interesting models like the SC440 USB but also many more interesting models like the SC450 USB, which is the subject of this thread.

Every mic DIYer knows the problem, you need capsules, bodies, capsule holder, 1G resistors, transistors and some very small screws and other small stuff to be able to tinker properly.

A mic to cannibalize offers some of this for little money, this idea is not new. At the moment you pay for a SC450 USB with spider between 15€ to 30€, more you should definitely not spend. I just bought two for 15€ each, one of them came with an additional K&M popkiller

Let's see what we get for the money:

 

[rock soderstrom]

Among them are some less interesting models like the SC440 USB but also many more interesting models like the SC450 USB, which is the subject of this thread.

This time I am talking about the rather lame t.bone SC440 USB. The body is well known and quite nice. The rest is not that interesting (at least for me). The capsule do not look very impressive. I have checked the mic briefly, pretty noisy and nothing you can write back home about. Grid resistor is a 510M.

I will cannibalize this for another (almost) no budget SELA T12 or Royer LDC.

Conclusion: nice body without cut outs for switches and printed branding, no engraving. Capsule holder can be upgraded with a rubber stand off. Buy only when really cheap.

EDIT: attached is the datasheet for the 2 chanel 16 bit AD converter with USB interface AK5371A

 

[rock soderstrom]

Here a comparison between t.bone SCT450 XLR and USB vs SC440 USB.

Headbasket is beside the markings interchangeable, end bell is the same for all three mics.

The bodytube of the SC440 is shorter than the SC450 and do not fit on the 450. SC450 XLR and USB are interchangeable.

Here the SC450 USB tubus on the SC450 XLR.
Here you can see that the whole SC440 construction is shorter than the SC450.

 

[rock soderstrom]

BTW, the golden ring is detachable.

 

[Migs 31]

This time I am talking about the rather lame t.bone SC440 USB. The body is well known and quite nice. The rest is not that interesting (at least for me).

Hi,
Someone asked me recently: "Why do you even bother with XLR connectors, pre-amps and old toobe shit? Why don't you use USB mics? It goes directly to the computer ?!?"
I just looked at him, laughed and replied: Yes, WHY !?!
M

 

[rock soderstrom]

That’s what member soliloqueen says about the USB thing.

Technology has advanced to the point where you could power an entire u67, tube and all, with no schematic changes, and DA convert it with power from a single a single usb-c cable without ever interfacing with mains power. USB tube mics are coming.

I am trendsetter

 

[soliloqueen]

That’s what member soliloqueen says about the USB thing.

I am trendsetter

Hey, with the average USB port being able to output 4.5 Watts since 2010, USBC even without the power delivery standard being able to output 15 watts and the full power delivery standard being able to deliver an insane 240 watts, a full USB tube Mic is absolutely no problem unless it's an insanely high power draw tube like the u47. The average MacBook could power a u67 for at least 5 hours

 

[rock soderstrom]

Hey, with the average USB port being able to output 4.5 Watts since 2010, USBC even without the power delivery standard being able to output 15 watts and the full power delivery standard being able to deliver an insane 240 watts, a full USB tube Mic is absolutely no problem unless it's an insanely high power draw tube like the u47. The average MacBook could power a u67 for at least 5 hours

I don't doubt that, it is technically feasible and I think we will see that in the future.

The idea of doing everything in the microphone is nothing new, but today's technology is much more advanced than in the 90s. The headamp-micpre-AD converter-USB interface chip mentioned above shows where the journey is heading. The thing may be old now, but it gives a good idea of what is possible.

Without emotion, a share of the pie will go to this technology in the future, only time will tell how much.

Personally, I prefer tube head amps, so a U67 with mic preamp, AD converter and USB interface doesn't sound out of place if you want to go ITB as quickly as possible.Edit:...and with the best quality at the same time.

 

[Khron]

an insanely high power draw tube like the u47

* an insanely high power wastage tube like the u47

the average USB port being able to output 4.5 Watts since 2010

Well, even the bog-standard most-basic minimum 500mA is 2.5W, and even that should be plenty for just about any "normal" design.