The microphone capsule photo and information thread

[k brown]

@amplexus could you please show us the boards ?

AT4033 is a great mic... (I don't know about the 4040 but I've always been curious about the 4050 : how it sounds / same for the Shure KSM44 and the Sennheiser MK8 which are widely appreciated)

Does anybody know which kind of capsules are in KSM44 & MK8 ?

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Shure/KSM44

 

[kingkorg]

Does anybody know which kind of capsules are in KSM44

Phenomenal capsules. Just like the one found in ksm32, cardioid, but different in other aspects as well

 

[Emmathom]

Phenomenal capsules. Just like the one found in ksm32, cardioid, but different in other aspects as well

You mean extremely good ? And about MK8 capsule ?

 

[k brown]

By the way (since I've mentioned it a couple of times), I just noticed that micparts says something in their 3035 mod kit that is just not true: "The AT2035/AT3035 capsule has a rolled-off low end . . ."

It's low end is no different than any other quality cardioid capsule I've ever heard. Whether the 2035 and/or 3035 had a proximity-reducing roll-off in the electronics, I don't know, but not the capsule.

It's also one of the quietest electrets I've heard. The only other electret cardioid I've heard that's quieter is the one AKG has used in several models.

 

[amplexus]

That's a wild and wacky front to back path

Every AT mic i’ve got has that weird “halo” ring- even the 4047, and I believe the 4050.

First 4033 photos I've seen that seem to show that only half the outer ring holes go all the way through; is that true?

The 4040 capsule looks exactly the same as the electret in the 3035 and 2035, but with a multi-hole ring added (and AT says it's externally polarized (?)).

Does anyone know the function of those rings; I've never heard a fulsome explanation. Rings without holes create a top octave boost and increase in directionality, but when they're full 'a holes...?

Ok so I have two 4033’s- thats the older one and yes, all the holes go all the way through BUT half the holes are stuffed with loose, open cell foam on THIS unit. But on the other one which I believe is a few years newer, they are ALL open with no foam. Unsure of what difference the small interference of the foam in half the holes would make.

@amplexus could you please show us the boards ?

AT4033 is a great mic... (I don't know about the 4040 but I've always been curious about the 4050 : how it sounds / same for the Shure KSM44 and the Sennheiser MK8 which are widely appreciated)

Does anybody know which kind of capsules are in KSM44 & MK8 ?

The 4033 is a sleeper mic imo- given what you can find them for these days. My recollection is that the 4040 was supposed to be a superseding Model but on release people were annoyed with the changes enough that AT brought the 4033 back, unchanged, for a while longer before discontinuation.

They obviously have very different capsules but I was surprised that in a quick side by side comparison I found the 4033 and 4040 are quite similar in tone. I’m not sure I could pick one or the other out of a mix.

These are secret sauce snare mics too!

I’ll snap guts today.

 

[amplexus]

Ok 4033 and 4040 gut shots, as well as a close up of the 4033 capsule where you can see a bit of the backplate hole pattern.

4033 - Old:


4033 "A" variation, newer:


4033 Capsule close and detail of holes blocked:



4033A Capsule rear- definitely a construction difference from the older 4033 non-A version:



4040 Current Gen SMD guts:

 

[Emmathom]

Some Muse, tantale, polystyrène and mica capas... and a lot of transistors !!! (4033 old)
Why so much ??? I counted 7 or 8

 

[k brown]

Ok 4033 and 4040 gut shots, as well as a close up of the 4033 capsule where you can see a bit of the backplate hole pattern.

4033 - Old:
View attachment 135429View attachment 135430

4033 "A" variation, newer:
View attachment 135431View attachment 135432

4033 Capsule close and detail of holes blocked:
View attachment 135433
View attachment 135434

4033A Capsule rear- definitely a construction difference from the older 4033 non-A version:
View attachment 135435


4040 Current Gen SMD guts:
View attachment 135436

Can see AT's 'Double Wave' diaphragm peeking through the 4033's holes there.

 

[kingkorg]

Can see AT's 'Double Wave' diaphragm peeking through the 4033's holes there.

You can actually see the honeycomb emboss on the diaphragm in the last 4040 image.

This is really some next level stuff, even though it has been applied by AT for ages now. They try to adress the same issue Sennheiser did with their MKH symmetrical capsules.

Shure also uses embossed 2uM diaphragms in KSM32.

I really regret selling my AT4040.

Ok 4033 and 4040 gut shots, as well as a close up of the 4033 capsule where you can see a bit of the backplate hole pattern.

4033 - Old:
View attachment 135429View attachment 135430

4033 "A" variation, newer:
View attachment 135431View attachment 135432

4033 Capsule close and detail of holes blocked:
View attachment 135433
View attachment 135434

4033A Capsule rear- definitely a construction difference from the older 4033 non-A version:
View attachment 135435


4040 Current Gen SMD guts:
View attachment 135436

 

[rock soderstrom]

STAM U-47 FET pics from here:

3U capsule??

thanks @JamieOxford

 

[Emmathom]

Here is my Stam Audio U47 Fet capsule (bought in 2024)

I sold this mic 2 months ago because I didn't like its sound : not enough lows / not enough highs too / too much mid-highs (at my taste)

 

[rock soderstrom]

Here is my Stam Audio U47 Fet capsule (bought in 2024)

Does anyone have any idea what BR, AIN, GA, SM, RO and MA means?

 

[Tim Campbell]

Does anyone have any idea what BR, AIN, GA, SM, RO and MA means?

yes it means the company Braingasm which is in Rome ( Roma in italian)

 

[rock soderstrom]

yes it means the company Braingasm which is in Rome ( Roma in italian)

Wow, you are the real Sherlock! I would never have thought of that. If you know it, you can see it immediately...

 

[LevinGuitar]

Here is my Stam Audio U47 Fet capsule (bought in 2024)

I sold this mic 2 months ago because I didn't like its sound : not enough lows / not enough highs too / too much mid-highs (at my taste)

That description reminds me of the old K47s from RK/WGT, but I haven't tried them side to side to tell, hope those are better

 

[Tim Campbell]

The Josephson C37 type compared to mine and a very old Sony

 

[Tim Campbell]

Campbell Transmitter push/pull capsule

 

[Tim Campbell]

A pair of Heiserman HK67capsules.

 

[Tim Campbell]

The original version of the Heiserman HK12

 

[Tim Campbell]

Josephson CK12 type capsule