What does QC actually mean? What does that entail? What does he actually do? How is that accomplished and on what equipment or protocols? (asking, not arguing.) James
Topic: Are Mic Parts Capsules Snake Oil?
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What does QC actually mean? What does that entail? What does he actually do? How is that accomplished and on what equipment or protocols? (asking, not arguing.) James
MikeyScars
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James,
I have gotten damaged, or Bstock capsules when i first started upgrading mics from places that you couldn't get ahold of if needed. I'm pretty sure Mic Parts and JLI get there capsules from the same supplier. So the first part of that quality control is a good supplier. Then they stand behind what is sent, I don't know or even care what their QC test process are or how many parts per whatever they test. Ive never got a bad part from them. They have a refund policy, and legit contact info unlike most places. I haven't heard of anyone that i know of getting bad capsules or parts from MicParts. So they must be doing something right. The time and effort they even put into their instructions is more than I see anyone else doing. Everything down to the packaging was top notch that i've ever ordered from Micparts. Being a beginner at the time it was worth the extra cash buying from a company that put in all that extra effort. Price-well that's another story. That's why i get mine from JLI now. Maybe you have had a different outcome.
The vast majority of people who buy Kits from different places are beginners who want quick results, with all the necessary components in one place, selected, with very clear assembly and adjustment instructions, but who often cannot objectively evaluate the quality and consistency of the products. They will be satisfied that they managed to create something functional, useful, by themselves. QC doesn't really matter in this situation either. Some assemble a Kit and are satisfied, they stop there and do not continue studying in depth.
I personally prefer to buy with the money how much a complete kit costs, as many second-hand, functional or defective microphones as possible and to mod, repair, build, experiment, study, etc. My satisfaction is much higher (the investment is justified, rewarded,
or not
)
The big problem (when it's a real hobby)
is that you become addicted and you don't stop, you buy without needing!! GAS.
But that means passion, hobby.
DIY.
I personally prefer to buy with the money how much a complete kit costs, as many second-hand, functional or defective microphones as possible and to mod, repair, build, experiment, study, etc. My satisfaction is much higher (the investment is justified, rewarded,
or not
)The big problem (when it's a real hobby)
is that you become addicted and you don't stop, you buy without needing!! GAS.
But that means passion, hobby.
DIY.YES. I said all that once, but it took me several paragraphs to say what you did in one paragraph above. Spot on, old man.
The big problem . . . you become addicted and you don't stop, you buy without needing!!
But that means passion, hobby.
BOY! That describes MY addiction exactly. I am just one guy, with one voice, and yet I keep building different microphones, mixing and matching the components, as if they were part of a child's toy construction kit. (e.g., LEGO, Erector Set) I must be out of my mind. (For this and several other reasons!)
Well said, Mr. @micolas . James - K8JHR
Well, James, that's it! Many of us in this group are so addictedYES. I said all that once, but it took me several paragraphs to say what you did in one paragraph above. Spot on, old man.
BOY! That describes MY addiction exactly. I am just one guy, with one voice, and yet I keep building different microphones, mixing and matching the components, as if they were part of a child's toy construction kit. (e.g., LEGO, Erector Set) I must be out of my mind. (For this and several other reasons!)
Well said, Mr. @micolas . James - K8JHR
(I have a curiosity, I wanted to ask you earlier, isn't that K8JHR
an indicative code for a radio amateur?)
Thank you for your passionate reply. Unfortunately, you do not answer my question.
And yet, your answer raises a serious point. Now, I do not mean to sound petty, critical, or snarky by any means. There is nothing personal in any of this - you have simply struck a raw nerve here!
Simply put, we have no objective means to verify the vendor's claim it exerts high quality control. The take away is, you merely enjoyed your purchase experience, and I am glad for that.
And yet, you recommended and promoted a vendor for having high "quality control," which implies you know something about its quality control process. Later, when pressed for details, you admit you do not care, and know nothing about, its quality control process, which completely contradicts and cancels your recommendation. That is not particularly helpful to others' purchase decision process.
Which, raises a related point:
A personal pet peeve, is the number of misleading, exaggerated, and occasionally outright false representations promulgated by vendors they are neither prepared, nor willing, to substantiate. When a vendor selling goods manufactured by third parties claims it has "high quality control" and warns me against purportedly counterfeit products, I wonder whether that is true, or merely "sales puffing" and marketing fluff? I wonder what he ACTUALLY DOES to actually CONTROL quality. I wonder how I can independently verify or refute claims similar products are actually counterfeit. I rarely accept a vendor's word without some probative corroboration. There is just too much speculation (guessing), flim flam, misrepresentation, and spurious claims floating about.
For example, in a previous thread, I documented certain lovely "all metal" U87-like bodies on eBay.com are, in fact, mostly plastic; the only metal being some metal mesh in the grille and a heavy lead slug to give it ballast. The listings say they have "DSP Noise Reduction circuits," which is patently false. The vendors expressed assured me they have "all metal" bodies by email before I placed an order. Not so, Dick Tracy! Despite filing complaints with eBay.com, those listings remain active.
So, there is nothing personal or snarky here ... you merely piqued a personal pet peeve against exaggerated or outright false claims by vendors and marketing departments.
Just my take. JHR
YES - THAT IS MY LICENSE CALL SIGN. I attach photos of my station. The first one is the operating desk - the second is the electronics workbench where I build stuff, including microphones and home brewed radio accessories.
Thanks for asking ! James
Wonderful! Special places to connect with a magical world...
Full of happy moments and precious memories...
k brown
Well-known member
If I dared to post pix of my "workspace", the men in white coats would soon knock at my door.
_________
Also have had nothing but good experiences with JLI capsules. I usually order pairs and they have always matched, and have never received one damaged or defective. They also pack well and have fast delivery.
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Why does this sound familiar to many of us
?Well I DO know something about Matt's QC process. I have on several occassions advised & dreamt up gear, (including his present anechoic, and other stuff for his QC.
Excuse me if I don't go into more detail ... but to anyone who has bought MP stuff in the past & also more recently, it will not have escaped your attention that his Frequency Response curves are 'different' and IM not so HO, better.
The main take is that Matt is constantly trying to do things better. 'Kaizen' or Continuous Improvement to yus Process Gurus.
No. I don't always agree with him but 'Yes' I think his prices are fair and a bargain in many cases.
I'm sure many of you have received Ali / eBay stuff which was obviously defective and IMHO, Ali 'matched pairs' are a joke. This isn't the case with Matt's stuff.
His kits are excellent.
Yes. If you buy directly from JLI, you will probably get good capsules. Transound are good makers. But if you want to be sure, and especially if you need a matched pair, buy from MP.
No. He doesn't pay me to say all this
but I sometimes get leftovers from his table 
Very tidy. And neatly organised. Exemplary.
Gentelmen! We have serial killer among us! Please greet him with warmth and respect!
We appreciate your coming-out James.
------
The subject of my workbench.... Better be avoided. I have lots of various tools and interests. And let's leave it at that.
And I am not addicted to microphones! I'm very restrained and pragmatic. I only have... Ummm...
Less than you, guys, OK? Less!!
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@pmfalcman is right!
Everything is too orderly, normal DIYers (like the rest of us) are messy, agitated, defying the rules, ready to cause a small catastrophe at any time!
Mind your words @micolas. Be respectful and proud of James' company.@pmfalcman is right!
Everything istoobeautifully orderly,normalother DIYers (like the rest of us) are messy, agitated, defying the rules, ready to cause a small catastrophe at any time!
I am very honored and delighted by the presence of @MicMaven in our group, but we also joke.
(as you actually did, without anyone getting upset, I like to think that we are all friends here)James reminds me of the long-gone days when I was also passionate about TV DX, antennas, antenna amplifiers.
Why does this sound familiar to many of us
Do we need a support group?
Or is this already it? 
Yes, yes!!!Do we need a support group?
GDIY is The support group!
@Khron you captured the essence of things!
Yes, it is. Just smartly disguised.Do we need a support group?
Semianonimous Untidy Microholics?
Nope. It doesn't sound right. Needs some EQ.
