Share your projects with JLI-103

[k brown]

Given how nice this capsule sounds, I'm surprised that other than this thread https://groupdiy.com/threads/jli-103-unscientific-impression.83095/ there hasn't been much talk of it around here.

I wonder if maybe it's been given short shrift due to it's not sounding exactly like the Neumann capsule it is clearly an imitation of. But taken on it's own terms and used in a flat circuit it's a great sounding capsule with excellent off-axis sound. If the published response is even remotely accurate, it looks more like that of a U 87 than a TLM 103 does.

Anyone know who makes this capsule? - doesn't appear to be Transound.

https://www.jlielectronics.com/microphone-capsules/jli-103/

Maybe it's just that there are now so many fine capsules available for so little money on Ali?

_______

I put mine in a BM700 body (given 251-inspired livery just because I like the look), with the circuit board from a Tascam TM-80 (I had other plans for groovy little electret SDC that it came with), adapted for external capsule polarization.

 

[soliloqueen]

Given how nice this capsule sounds, I'm surprised that other than this thread https://groupdiy.com/threads/jli-103-unscientific-impression.83095/ there hasn't been much talk of it around here.

I wonder if maybe it's been given short shrift due to it's not sounding exactly like the Neumann capsule it is clearly an imitation of. But taken on it's own terms and used in a flat circuit it's a great sounding capsule with excellent off-axis sound.

Anyone know who makes this capsule? - doesn't appear to be Transound.

https://www.jlielectronics.com/microphone-capsules/jli-103/

Maybe it's just that there are now so many fine capsules available for so little money on Ali?

_______

I put mine in a BM700 body (given 251-inspired livery just because I like the look), with the circuit board from a Tascam TM-80 (I had other plans for groovy little electret SDC that it came with), adapted for external capsule polarization.

this is an aym capsule i think

 

[micolas]

Given how nice this capsule sounds, I'm surprised that other than this thread https://groupdiy.com/threads/jli-103-unscientific-impression.83095/ there hasn't been much talk of it around here.

I wonder if maybe it's been given short shrift due to it's not sounding exactly like the Neumann capsule it is clearly an imitation of. But taken on it's own terms and used in a flat circuit it's a great sounding capsule with excellent off-axis sound. If the published response is even remotely accurate, it looks more like that of a U 87 than a TLM 103 does.

Anyone know who makes this capsule? - doesn't appear to be Transound.

https://www.jlielectronics.com/microphone-capsules/jli-103/

Maybe it's just that there are now so many fine capsules available for so little money on Ali?

_______

I put mine in a BM700 body (given 251-inspired livery just because I like the look), with the circuit board from a Tascam TM-80 (I had other plans for groovy little electret SDC that it came with), adapted for external capsule polarization.

Hi @k brown !
It's an interesting project.
Can you post some sound tests? (maybe vocals, acoustic guitar)
Possibly compared to a genuine TLM103, U87 or another similar in sound
I am convinced that the sound is not U87 type. The 103 capsule has a different design from the K67/87 and not just its cardioid version.
Thanks!

 

[k brown]

Not out to prove anything about this capsule, just was curious to see what others have done with it (title of the thread).

 

[micolas]

Not out to prove anything about this capsule, just was curious to see what others have done with it (title of the thread).

I totally agree with you. We are just curious where our searches, our experiments, can take us. This is the joy of doing DIY

 

[rogs]

Given how nice this capsule sounds, I'm surprised that other than this thread https://groupdiy.com/threads/jli-103-unscientific-impression.83095/ there hasn't been much talk of it around here.

I wonder if maybe it's been given short shrift due to it's not sounding exactly like the Neumann capsule it is clearly an imitation of. But taken on it's own terms and used in a flat circuit it's a great sounding capsule with excellent off-axis sound. If the published response is even remotely accurate, it looks more like that of a U 87 than a TLM 103 does.

Anyone know who makes this capsule? - doesn't appear to be Transound.

https://www.jlielectronics.com/microphone-capsules/jli-103/

The apparent lack of interest maybe to to with the JLI shipping policy? ... outside of the USA their shipping charges tend to make their items very expensive.

Those of us 'across the pond', as it were, are much more likely to consider Arienne Audio capsules over JLI, I would suggest?
OK, the capsules are a bit more expensive, but the shipping costs are much more reasonable.....

I'm not quite sure why JLI have taken this stance on shipping ... they really do not seem to be very keen on non USA trading?

 

[micolas]

The apparent lack of interest maybe to to with the JLI shipping policy? ... outside of the USA their shipping charges tend to make their items very expensive.

Those of us 'across the pond', as it were, are much more likely to consider Arienne Audio capsules over JLI, I would suggest?
OK, the capsules are a bit more expensive, but the shipping costs are much more reasonable.....

I'm not quite sure why JLI have taken this stance on shipping ... they really do not seem to be very keen on non USA trading?

Hi @rogs !
Unfortunately I have to agree with you!
It is more attractive here in Europe to buy parts (or new or second-hand microphones with good capsules and circuits) from local sources than from JLI.

 

[Dylan W]

What are you liking it on? The original is great on some things IMO (mostly modern pop/hip-hop vocals) but wouldn't be my first choice for an all-purpose mic. But if this capsule is more K67-like maybe it's more versatile.

 

[k brown]

The apparent lack of interest maybe to to with the JLI shipping policy? ... outside of the USA their shipping charges tend to make their items very expensive.

Those of us 'across the pond', as it were, are much more likely to consider Arienne Audio capsules over JLI, I would suggest?
OK, the capsules are a bit more expensive, but the shipping costs are much more reasonable.....

I'm not quite sure why JLI have taken this stance on shipping ... they really do not seem to be very keen on non USA trading?

What appears to be the same capsule is also avaialable on Ali:
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256805224167162.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

 

[k brown]

What are you liking it on? The original is great on some things IMO (mostly modern pop/hip-hop vocals) but wouldn't be my first choice for an all-purpose mic. But if this capsule is more K67-like maybe it's more versatile.

If the published response of the JLI is at all accurate, it's certainly a more 'all-purpose' one than the brighter and oddly shelved response of the TLM 103. The JLI curve is more like U 87 or M 49.

 

[micolas]

What are you liking it on? The original is great on some things IMO (mostly modern pop/hip-hop vocals) but wouldn't be my first choice for an all-purpose mic. But if this capsule is more K67-like maybe it's more versatile.

Hey Dylan,You are absolutely right! I have had the TLM103 for over 25 years, on many sources it is unbeatable.
But on sibilant voices it's a nightmare
I want to point out that it is one of the few microphones that I have not modified from dozens of others.