Townsend Labs Sphere Guts and basic analysis

[Khron]

I got a real quick question, i have a rode nt1 Ai1 i’m pretty sure is the exact model but i saw you were messing with one open, there is no screws anywhere on it and my XLR prong #1 is poking out so much, some connection issues, And also something is jiggling inside. But to get inside of it i have to take the shock cage off, which is too tight from the previous owner to take off and rotates the whole bottom of the microphone, i figured taking the bottom off, and then getting the cage off would be best, but im stumped on even getting that piece off because there is absolutely no screw holes and no manuals on the internet hahah.

The bottom ring does indeed screw off (lefty loosey). The xlr pin 1 being a bit longer is pretty common on Rode mics though.

 

[carter123098]

The bottom ring does indeed screw off (lefty loosey). The xlr pin 1 being a bit longer is pretty common on Rode mics though.

Yeah thats what i thought, the bottom ring when spun, spins the whole bottom potion on the mic, not just the cage, but the top of the mic stays, while a good 25% of the mic (where that line starts at the bottom) rotates WITH me turning it, and it sounds just awful when i do it, i figured vice grips on the actual mic while i turn the ring was an idea but will scratch it up, while i twist the ring is the only was to get that off, but it does not unscrew like a ring like it is supposed to.

 

[Khron]

Well, just sitting there wishing for it to happen on its own won't do much...

A bit of (non-advanced) google-fu later, see here:

Reddit - Just bought this rode nt1 online used. Thought I got an amazing deal. Everything seemed normal til…need help!

The top / first reply is a link to a video from Rode themselves (and yes, their dropbox link is still live).

(Later edit)

And you could've considered posting this question on, I dunno, at least a Rode NT1(A) thread, possibly? But what do I know?..

 

[Khron]

Edit: seems weird when i txt you it has to approve it to make sure ur feelings dont get hurt lmfaoo

If by "txt" you mean trying to send a private message, you need to have 10 posts first.

Get out of ur moms basement and stop bashing people, im on here because i have questions and im not sure how my microphone, or this low end website that you love, works. If you have no insight about anything but your opinion, why are you even trying to reach out to me, (but what do i know)

... Aaaaaand you didn't even bother visiting the link i posted, that contains the video answer to the exact question you posed, did you?

If you had, surely this tirade would have been deemed unnecessary before it was even typed up (but i'm only speculating). Not 100000% sure which one of us got their feelings hurt, though. And don't even get me started on "entitlement"...

 

[carter123098]

I considered deleting your posts because they are breaking forum rules about civil speech but I decided to allow them for now, hoping it will embarras you into behaving better... If you don't behave better I can still delete them.

Note especially Rule #4 https://groupdiy.com/threads/groupdiy-rules-read-before-posting-in-any-of-the-forums.6650/

JR

Oh no its john roberts

 

[Khron]

Ur video was completely irrelevant and pointless

Was your question not indeed "how do i open up my Rode NT1?" ?

 

[abbey road d enfer]

Get out of ur moms basement and stop bashing people, im on here because i have questions and im not sure how my microphone, or this low end website that you love, works. If you have no insight about anything but your opinion, why are you even trying to reach out to me, (but what do i know)

I'm gonna send you back to Missorui (sic)
You don't do right, you don't do right
(1959)

 

[sumitagarwal]

Found this list of stereo output mics over on GS... anyone happen to know if any of these have sufficiently similar design to Townsend/Sphere?

Pearl TL-44, Pearl DS-60, Pearl DS-70, Pearl ELM-A, Sennheiser MKH800 Twin, Microtech Gefell UM 930 Twin, Milab SRND 360, Josephson C700A, Josephson C700S, Nordic Audio Labs NU-880K, Lewitt LCT 640 TS, Nevaton MC550, Nevaton MC50 Quad

 

[youngshu]

Would the JLI OPA Alice circuit work well enough for a DIY Sphere Mic? Its 60 bucks and super clean and flat.

 

[youngshu]

Would the JLI OPA Alice circuit work well enough for a DIY Sphere Mic? Its 60 bucks and super clean and flat.

https://www.jlielectronics.com/diy-accessories/opa-alice-dual-channel/

 

[kingkorg]

Would the JLI OPA Alice circuit work well enough for a DIY Sphere Mic? Its 60 bucks and super clean and flat.

No. The point is not it should be flat and clean. The point is that it has built in EQ curve described in the first post.

 

[youngshu]

No. The point is not it should be flat and clean. The point is that it has built in EQ curve described in the first post.

My understanding is the LX is Flat and doesnt require the eq change? Maybe im not understanding. I saw you made an eq profile to compensate for it but the new LX doesnt require it. I thought that meant you can have it flat as the software does the curve already.

 

[kingkorg]

My understanding is the LX is Flat and doesnt require the eq change? Maybe im not understanding. I saw you made an eq profile to compensate for it but the new LX doesnt require it. I thought that meant you can have it flat as the software does the curve already.

In that case yes, you haven't specified you were talking about LX

 

[youngshu]

Just in case you missed it, depending on how you plan to use the mic, you could use just about any flat response circuit and then apply the EQ curve i provided before the Sphere plug in. There is no real advantage in having the EQ built into the mic.

Acoustics around the capsule are way too important to ignore. I found the typical u47 bodies of chinese origin work best for this project. They pretty much match the original properties. The SM Pro mic body i used here is not ideal solution.

This is the post i am referencing

 

[youngshu]

In that case yes, you haven't specified you were talking about LX

Thank you! sir i appreciate all your help!

 

[capacitorless]

As do I (and I'm pretty certain a whole bunch of people)

I've been wondering if front/back side to side electret cardioid capsules would work in a usable way (edit: with appropriate eq of course). EM200, for example. If I've missed where someone has tried this already, my apologies!

I have the last version (I think) of the software that uses the original mic, and I think it's also available via the Internet Archive.