Some people talk about it like it's a thing. Tried it once, and can't say it actually made a difference for the better. Possibly worse.
Removing inner mesh: Actual difference or placebo?
- Thread starter stridentlinear
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it depends on the geometry of the mesh. if the basket is well-designed already, this won't do anything
k brown
Well-known member
As in M49 / U67?
well, it's wrong to say it won't do anything, but if they paid attention, it's part of the response to the microphone or the basket has no serious standing wave issue in the first place, so messing with it may negatively alter the sound profile or do nothing. it's only in mics that have wire that's too thick, and with a high-mass inner weave, that removing the inner layer will result in a less pronounced standing wave.
k brown
Well-known member
As an aside - have you ever taken an AKG Blue Line capsule apart? There's mesh in front of the diaphragm that's so fine and dense, that it lets no light through. How can that work? The one I disassembled was an omni (CK92); I don't know if the other capsules are different.
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i haven't. i'd love to see pictures of what you're talking about
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k brown
Well-known member
I didn't take any pics (it was many years ago); but I literally couldn't believe my eyes.
Unfortunately, the service doc doesn't show this part - it's inside the grille head. I had hacksawed it apart, as I couldn't see any light coming through the grille head and my curiosity got the best of me.
Unfortunately, the service doc doesn't show this part - it's inside the grille head. I had hacksawed it apart, as I couldn't see any light coming through the grille head and my curiosity got the best of me.
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how close was it
k brown
Well-known member
How close to the diaphragm? - don't remember, was around 1993.
I seem to recall it was near the bottom of the thick body grille slots.
I seem to recall it was near the bottom of the thick body grille slots.
Same with AKG CK62 capsules (for C460B/C480B) There‘s two versions, ULS (near field) and DF (diffuse field, discontinued long ago), only difference was the mesh. The ULS has a really dense ‚disc‘ in front, i should have one or two after converting a pair to DF. Will look after and take pictures
AKG service manual
Data sheet
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k brown
Well-known member
That would be great; I was beginning to suspect my memory . . .
All I can say is that this dirty, natty-looking thing was that last barrier between my $30 used guitar center find and sonic excellence.
This is from an early 2000's Groove Tubes mic. Meaning the guy who invented the Vipre ... approved this???
My theory (which is based on nothing actually scientific): Dirt, grime, rust and uneven surface (it was coming off) affect sound waves in a negative way. And I'm digging my heals in on this one. There was something nasty going on. The mesh was coming off.
The other sonic hindrance being the resonator disk. The removal of which proved to be too delicate of an operation. Unsoldering the front wire released a fury of built-up tension that spared nothing in it's path. Again, same guy who gave us the Vipre. Boggles the senses.
But who needs an ugly capsule? Capsule aesthetics suddenly become more important after mesh is removed, so it needed to go anyway.
Talk about a psychological upgrade:
Nothing like shiny brass for a good placebo affect. Which brings us to our last and final upgrade. The 4 khz peak of our lovely u47-inspired capsule (straight from the Republic of China) :
This is just a rant at this point, but of all places for a presence peak. After the above-pictured adjustment, my modifications were complete, and Aspen Pittman's legacy fully-restored.
Who actually does an EQ sweep, stops at 4 khz and says "Perfect" ???
End of rant.
This is from an early 2000's Groove Tubes mic. Meaning the guy who invented the Vipre ... approved this???
My theory (which is based on nothing actually scientific): Dirt, grime, rust and uneven surface (it was coming off) affect sound waves in a negative way. And I'm digging my heals in on this one. There was something nasty going on. The mesh was coming off.
The other sonic hindrance being the resonator disk. The removal of which proved to be too delicate of an operation. Unsoldering the front wire released a fury of built-up tension that spared nothing in it's path. Again, same guy who gave us the Vipre. Boggles the senses.
But who needs an ugly capsule? Capsule aesthetics suddenly become more important after mesh is removed, so it needed to go anyway.
Talk about a psychological upgrade:
Nothing like shiny brass for a good placebo affect. Which brings us to our last and final upgrade. The 4 khz peak of our lovely u47-inspired capsule (straight from the Republic of China) :
This is just a rant at this point, but of all places for a presence peak. After the above-pictured adjustment, my modifications were complete, and Aspen Pittman's legacy fully-restored.
Who actually does an EQ sweep, stops at 4 khz and says "Perfect" ???
End of rant.
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"Fury of built-up tension"? Is that solder on the diaphragm?
the real k47 has a presence peak here too. even first party k47s are up at least 2dB at 4k. The highest I've seen on a brand-new all-original capsule was 5dB. It sounded like it had a telephone effect on it. This is just how the capsule sounds.
That's actually how the wire connects, weirdly enough.
The wire was awkwardly positioned, creating some tension. After it was freed, my tweasers weren't gripped firm enough to hold it, so the end of the wire landed on the good part of the diaphragm, tearing through it.
Not like I was actually going to use the capsule for anything, but still.View attachment 105258
That's actually how the wire connects, weirdly enough.
The wire was awkwardly positioned, creating some tension. After it was freed, my tweasers weren't gripped firm enough to hold it, so the end of the wire landed on the good part of the diaphragm, tearing through it.
Oh, dang
Note to self - cut the wire first, next time(?)...
Oh, dang
Note to self - cut the wire first, next time(?)...
After looking at the capsule, my first inclination was to just tear it off.
But yea, next time for sure.
It is. The one on mine just seems a little too narrow, but I dig the midrange honk. Kind of an idie rock vibe.
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