Takstar CM-60 and CM-63 capsule mods.

[k brown]

How difficult is it to disassemble/reassemble the capsule?

Easy-peasy if you have this type of spanner wrench; a lot less so if you don't:

https://www.amazon.com/Spanner-Wren...ix=retaining+ring+spanner,aps,166&sr=8-7&th=1

 

[k brown]

Use the wrench to unscrew the retaining ring, use a needle-nose pliers to pull out the backplate assembly as a unit, turn the capsule over on a CLEAN surface, and the diaphragm and the very thin, transparent spacer will fall out.

The spacer is very easy to lose, and static-cling to your hand, clothes etc.; keep an eye on it and place it somewhere it can't get disturbed.

When re-assembling, the side of the diaphragm with the metal ring goes to the front, then the clear spacer, then the backplate assy, then the retaining ring.

You want to make sure no dust or debris gets between the diaphragm and the spacer, or the spacer and the backplate.

 

[glitterball]

Use the wrench to unscrew the retaining ring, use a needle-nose pliers to pull out the backplate assembly as a unit, turn the capsule over on a CLEAN surface, and the diaphragm and the very thin, transparent spacer will fall out.

The spacer is very easy to lose, and static-cling to your hand, clothes etc.; keep an eye on it and place it somewhere it can't get disturbed.

When re-assembling, the side of the diaphragm with the metal ring goes to the front, then the clear spacer, then the backplate assy, then the retaining ring.

You want to make sure no dust or debris gets between the diaphragm and the spacer, or the spacer and the backplate.

So the assembly could stay together if I just wanted to remove the front grille?

 

[k brown]

So the assembly could stay together if I just wanted to remove the front grille?

If you mean the backplate assy, yes. But I wouldn't do the grille mod without taking the capsule apart.

 

[Karl-0_0-]

Easy-peasy if you have this type of spanner wrench; a lot less so if you don't:

https://www.amazon.com/Spanner-Wrench-Opening-Retaining-Remover/dp/B01M085J24/ref=sr_1_7?crid=34B1YRZ261H9S&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dQ10yQK21NOigZAWGlCFWYKpeFMAIxmdqh0IMPm1HItUmZvfVVlSaDzN6nxMKAc7wVGagmocV50rlxQDzejb5FqPkmFSCxj-0MdytFtc832WU3gq3xy6CMoPO_P-DlwoIvcI0SIQUli8mJF75DJnRKhlCoLSHjrwRbyvvRxkic2IsiS5iJjmT68AqxLmL2DdhYudgqQJdeAZzrwhP8NRRVLWjQo2HEVRFCqMPquoezyCfTkGuq4a9fPNbQG1st094Um4X4qJwxFqaMSHmwrABkADMND0gp6kbPTa6Efx4dXGLL1fqWeYs2Bsbay_UjSSp9G0hl4KjwHN44H-pO6AnCv0GRVz_v-ZxSlToSQK7vpFwwm_wHFMjV919tO1zbT0CAzh5c8XrY1G1bzW9dPbCWKv_IbFaVFMGTbaq2LJuy7gkfqa9DN_7FD2ME2424mq.TIFARuT7x5z4vmk1WB3Id6uSe-sZtX0-VWG5q6yJyzs&dib_tag=se&keywords=retaining+ring+spanner&qid=1739183142&sprefix=retaining+ring+spanner,aps,166&sr=8-7&th=1

I used my fine tip tweezer to unscrew the retaining ring, but I recommend using a proper tool since I can see some wear and tear on the pin holes.

 

[Karl-0_0-]

So I did some testing and at first was kind of disappointed with the squeaky result, but quickly realized I had put the spacer infront of the mesh and not between the diaphragm and backplate assy. So I took care of that and also filled all the holes but one with nail builder gel, and hardened it under an uv lamp.

Here's a quick and dirty comparison (sorry for the missus speaking in the background) between the modded capsule and the stock one + Modded Takstar and MicParts Omni capsule. Recorded in my living room about an arms length from the guitar, angled at aprox. 12th fret. No post processing except normalization.

Google Drive Folder

Takstar CM60_1.wav
A: Modded
B: Stock

Tastar CM60_2.wav
A: Modded
B: MicParts

 

[molke]

Easy-peasy if you have this type of spanner wrench; a lot less so if you don't

As I am currently trying my luck on similarly constructed capsules, while looking for any kind of fancy tools I could buy or build, it occurred to me that a cut off safety clip, of suitable diameter and bent into shape, might work just as well.

 

[MicMaven]

occurred to me that a cut off safety clip, of suitable diameter and bent into shape, might work just as well.

In these situations, I use one of two options -

a) I sometimes use a pair of nails or brads that fit the retaining ring holes, and use long nose pliers to grab and twist or rotate them. OR,

b) I use a pair of C-ring pliers - either straight or curved/bent ends depending on 1) the type of object, and 2) whatever my friend Chuck has on hand when I ask to borrow them. (Someday I will break down and buy my own ... maybe, but then ham operators are notoriously CHEAP and they enjoy helping other ops, especially 'cause it gets them out of the shack and shifts the risk of mistake or loss by messing with other guys' gear.)

C clip pliers come in straight and curved/bent tips, locking and other types, and often reach shaft retaining nuts situated behind face plates, obviating the need to remove the face plate to grab them.

James

 

[glitterball]

So I did some testing and at first was kind of disappointed with the squeaky result, but quickly realized I had put the spacer infront of the mesh and not between the diaphragm and backplate assy. So I took care of that and also filled all the holes but one with nail builder gel, and hardened it under an uv lamp.

Here's a quick and dirty comparison (sorry for the missus speaking in the background) between the modded capsule and the stock one + Modded Takstar and MicParts Omni capsule. Recorded in my living room about an arms length from the guitar, angled at aprox. 12th fret. No post processing except normalization.

Takstar CM60.wav
A: Modded
B: Stock

Tastar CM60_2.wav
A: Modded
B: MicParts

Those .wav files don't appear to be working (just getting a .xml)

 

[Karl-0_0-]

Those .wav files don't appear to be working (just getting a .xml)

Google Drive Folder

 

[pmfalcman]

The spacer is very easy to lose, and static-cling to your hand, clothes etc.; keep an eye on it and place it somewhere it can't get disturbed.

@glitterball - This is very important matter.
Spacers may come in colour or transparent.
These can be practically invisible.
One needs to be very careful.

 

[pmfalcman]

I use, improperly of course, a divider (if this is a proper term in English).
Can set spacing very precisely...

If my father were alive, he would have had kill me.

 

[telewulf]

Interesting... Can you explain what the purpose of that gap is?

in August 2024 I did write about that topic in #90 of the atop mentioned thread
https://groupdiy.com/threads/diy-m50-capsule.73114/page-5

Pressure equalization (between the backplate-diaphragm space and the outside), i would imagine

Spot an as usual, Khron

best wishes from Bremen
Wulf

 

[jp8]

in August 2024 I did write about that topic in #90 of the atop mentioned thread
https://groupdiy.com/threads/diy-m50-capsule.73114/page-5

Thanks for sharing the link. I was aware of the need for pressure equalization in omni capsules, but it didn't cross my mind that removing part of the ring would serve that purpose until Khron replied. To that end, I'd expected a pin-prick hole in the backplate would be a more common solution. But what do I know about capsules anyway? I opened and tried to modify only one capsule in my life with disastrous effects. I'm here to learn and perhaps be more successful with modding capsules later.

Jan

 

[k brown]

Thanks for sharing the link. I was aware of the need for pressure equalization in omni capsules, but it didn't cross my mind that removing part of the ring would serve that purpose until Khron replied. To that end, I'd expected a pin-prick hole in the backplate would be a more common solution. But what do I know about capsules anyway? I opened and tried to modify only one capsule in my life with disastrous effects. I'm here to learn and perhaps be more successful with modding capsules later.

Jan

All omni capsules I've ever seen are completely sealed in the back.

 

[telewulf]

All omni capsules I've ever seen are completely sealed in the back.

Well, I wonder ...

The sound pressure a mircophone is exosed to usually is in round about 1 Pa - alternating pressure that is. As far as I have learned, in Germany (where Neumann and Schoeps are situated as well) the atmospheric pressure reaches a daily low at about 4 am and a daily high at about 5 pm, the difference being about 200 Pa - constant pressure that is. So if Schoeps produces an Omni at 4 am, at 5 pm its membrane would be subjected to a pressure that is 200 times the pressure of the average sound signal. In other words the mambrane would cave in tremendously! And that does not even take areas of high or low atmospheric pressure into consideration.

So can it really be true that all omni capsules are sealed completely?

When our car or our aeroplane changes its altitude rapidly, don´t we all swallow to open up our otherwise completely sealed middle ears because the atmospheric pressure impairs our hearing?

Well, if I was to construct an omni capsule, I would allways leave a small hole allow for atmospheric pressure comensation, wouldn´t you?