Rode Broadcaster

[LevinGuitar]

There is an official schematic on Rode website
https://edge.rode.com/pdf/page/274/modules/884/broadcaster_product_manual.pdf
It lacks the capsule connection: The front diaphragm is grounded and the backplate is connected to R11 and C1
T1 is J305 fet

 

[Khron]

Connections 4 and 5 go to what, though? And the little Rode black box is the capsule bias oscillator, i'm guessing?

 

[rogs]

Connections 4 and 5 go to what, though? And the little Rode black box is the capsule bias oscillator, i'm guessing?

Used to control the mute (and LED!) Link pins 4 and 5 to activate the mute (and turn the LED off!)

 

[LevinGuitar]

It's for the "On Live" led connection, in case you want to install the 5pin connector that comes with the mic. The stock one have standard XLR connector and the red led is always turned on when plugged in

Rogs was faster xD

Uploaded schemo with voltages. Yes, the "magic box" is an oscilator

As I'm not fan of unnesesary caps, I wonder how to avoid C4 without ruining the biasing of both T1 and T2. The C1 is easy, and I hope without that two it could sound a bit fuller. For now my NT1000 sound more interesting.

Actually, my C4 is 47uf, the C3 is 2.2uf and C2 is 0.15uf. Different version from that schematic

 

[rogs]

I've used a similar configuration for my end address LDC mics ....I used the arrangement on both my OPIC and RF mics.....in BM800 donor bodies
Can be a useful alternative to side address, where more flexible mounting arrangements are required....

My 3D printed 'end address' mount can be obtained from here: 34mm LDC mic bracket by rogs on Shapeways
Item is cheap -- shipping may not be !

( freebie .stl files for item here: 34mm C6 Bracket by rogs )

 

[RuudNL]

I once repaired a Rode Broadcaster. There was a piece of foam in front of the capsule.
It looked like the foam had been touching(!) the membrane of the capsule...

 

[LevinGuitar]

Yes, there is a 1cm or so of foam in front of the capsule, a built in antipop (not bad idea for a broadcasting mic), in my sample is not touching the capsule, the membrane is ok. But the rear foam is losing very much if I open the mic several times.

I rewired the capsule to avoid the first cap and increased C5 and C6 to 4.7uf (chinese 50v wimas) and now it sound close to the NT1000 in terms of curve, and the difference is more due the placement of the capsule in the headbasket.


Edit: with this deemphasis mod it sounds a lot better )

Edit 2: a jumper over C4 is quite safe. The bias of the first fet does not change, the second one, T2, does change but it seems to work even that way. The sound still improves and now its quite far from the original. The NT1000 now sounds a bit muddy in comparison
Also changed C3 to a 1uf MKT, in the probably case someone uses low cut.