U47-style bodies - who can make one?

[Nora]

As always, the smallest details raise the price a lot but for this mic project I (and 107 others for the moment!!) don't mind paying a bit more (even 4x the price of the chinese body) for such a beautiful creature !

For many people this mic (often associated with ioaudio's MK7) is a no compromise project.

<emo mode>I'm probably biased cause I've been following this thread from the beginning but I think this project is one of the nicest projects growing on this board. Thanks Skylar and everyone involved !!</emo mode>

And we should really get that shockmount groupbuy going but we shouldn't turn this thread into a shockmount line-up. This thread is already over 30 pages. Lets keep the S/N ratio as high as it is now

 

[tommypiper]

Since we're on the China subject, I'm gonna go out on a limb and ask: Have there been any quotes from Chinese (or other Asian) manufacturers for this?  I know people are usually weary of Chinese copying designs, but, since this isn't really an original design, but made from measurements of an existing (and well known) design, I really don't think there'd be a problem in our case.
In keeping with the last two posts, I guess I should say that I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I think we could make positive use of Junction's comment and see what the Chinese come up with... 

And since they already make shockmounts, this could be one-stop shopping. We could even quote PSUs...

Maybe Skylar has already checked this, but, if not, I think it would be worth the effort. Is there any way to find out if they would do a custom design?

No.  Let's don't go there!  Let's keep this hand-made, and in our (via Skylar's) control. 

After the horrendous experience with CHANCE's group buy and total crap Neve preamp clones, I am DONE with Chinese copies. 

However... my feeling is if you go with Chinese manufacturing then you have to totally be on top of them and not accept second rate, while at the same time don't expect more than they are capable of -- which is not going to match what Skylar is doing! 

With that in mind, getting some Thorson mic bodies for $50 would be fine.  It's no U47, it's just a Chinese mic body.  Sometimes that's all you need. In my case, I would get a couple at the same time as getting Skylar's. 

They are totally different products.  Let's not confuse them. 

Let's move on with Skylar. 

A separate group buy for Chinese bodies should be SEPARATE, a totally different product, but would be worth it if someone will run it.

 

[Skylar]

Very well said, tommypiper.

-two different products-

 

[mitsos]

I don't get why people are so against Chinese manufacturing.  Most everything you buy nowadays is made there.

And I am not saying let's buy a ready-made body.  THAT would be a different product. Junction's post just reminded me of the USA labor rates and where most of the cost of this body is coming from.  Making this body in China would be the SAME product, just less expensive. 

And, Tommy, don't forget that the problems with the TNC stuff are in the electronics, not the metalwork, and also the fact (conflist of interest?) that they were planning all along on offering mods (or fixes?) to their "well-designed" products. Anyway that's anough on that..OT.

I don't mind Chinese-made (metalwork) if they're up to the standards of this thread. Metalwork is metalwork. I think whoever you ask would make what you ask them to make. 

Also, unless I'm wrong, the only thing hand-assembled (vs hand-made) in this design is the headbasket, right? Aren't the parts CNC'd?

 

[desol]

Let's not turn the thread into a debate over China vs US manuf guys.

Getting 100 mic bodies commisioned in China sounds like too much hassle for
such a small project anyway. Maybe 500-1000 pieces...I don't know.

Now there are some decent shockmounts...and very affordable too.
I think i like those in black. 

Keep up the great work Skylar and everyone else!

 

[Skylar]

I just posted this in the MK7 thread.

Here's how you would mount a PCB into this mic body (this would work for MK7 or G7).

You may need to do some additional metal-work on the brackets or add insulation to prevent shorting traces/components on the back of the PCB.

 

[Skylar]

I don't get why people are so against Chinese manufacturing.  Most everything you buy nowadays is made there.

And I am not saying let's buy a ready-made body.  THAT would be a different product. Junction's post just reminded me of the USA labor rates and where most of the cost of this body is coming from.  Making this body in China would be the SAME product, just less expensive.   

And, Tommy, don't forget that the problems with the TNC stuff are in the electronics, not the metalwork, and also the fact (conflist of interest?) that they were planning all along on offering mods (or fixes?) to their "well-designed" products. Anyway that's anough on that..OT.

I don't mind Chinese-made (metalwork) if they're up to the standards of this thread. Metalwork is metalwork. I think whoever you ask would make what you ask them to make. 

I don't want to get into a US vs. China manufacturing debate either.
But here's what I'm going to say:
I am dedicated to making the physical result of this thread and everyone's hard work (EQU47 mic body) superior to any mic body that could be made by the T-Bone/etc. factories.
By virtue of the fact that we're emulating a U47 body, this makes my above statement part of the goal all along.

Also, unless I'm wrong, the only thing hand-assembled (vs hand-made) in this design is the headbasket, right? Aren't the parts CNC'd?

You're correct.

 

 

[JJ Blair]

The very real problem with going to China is the likelihood that they will take all of Skylar's hard work researching and designing this body, and then make  a bunch to sell to other mic makers.  That is SOP over there, when you use China for OEM parts.

 

[Whoops]

is there anyone supplying G7 boards at the moment?

if not, we will have a Body without any boards to stick inside


Skylar congratulations one more time for all your work and dedication

 

[rodabod]

if not, we will have a Body without any boards to stick inside

There are a multitude of circuits you could fit in this mic. Either way, tag board should work fine.

 

[MATTI]

O shit this something... You know I have a similiar mic soundwice but with
this procect I expect even better performances from the artist as they trust what they see, you know

Matti

 

[1954U1]

You may need to do some additional metal-work on the brackets or add insulation to prevent shorting traces/components on the back of the PCB.

Hi Skylar..
Only to give some measures, dont know if someone already did it, seems to me that no, but the thread has gone huge..
I have here the ioaudio's MK7 PCB:
the distance from some component's legs / solder joints on back of PCB and the edge of PCB is 2/8.

 

[deuce42]

Purely out of interest to help me learn and understand mic bodies more- and with the following disclaimer:

1) I am just trying to learn and educate myself so please don't yell at me for asking a question which may seem obvious; and
2) For the record I fully intend to buy this nice Skylar version and have been following this thread since its early posts with excitement, and
3) I am not trying to turn this into a China v USA debate;
4) These forums are melting pot of people from all ends of the specturm- complete novice (me) to the macdaddy electonics guru's.......

So with that said, what are the sonic differences between a cheap chinese body and this carefully researched almost faithful U47 body here? Are there real sonic differences, or is it a matter of Skylar and others wanting to take pride in their efforts and build as best a mic as possible? I have learned a lot from putting together my Mk7 stuff so far. Am just keen to understand what the mojo of a body like this one is

 

[Nora]

The height of the capsule versus the grille as well as the grill dimensions are a very important factor in the mic's sound. We all know that there's no exact U47 Clone available for diy'ers (vf14, transformer, etc) but ioaudio's mk7 is closely based on it's performance and it's pretty much what got this started (I think?)
The U47 body is a proven design and therefore it seems good to use the same body for similar capsules (and often comparable amplifiers).

The esthetics may not be part of the sound but for many vocalists it might be important to sing into something that looks familiar. After all the U47-looks have become the symbol of a "studio microphone"

I've heard many horror stories of designers working with chinese manufacturers. You cannot get a decent chinese fabricate if you do not visit the factory. You need quality control, you have to fly over to china and visit the factory to make sure you know who you're dealing with. Often prototypes have been made completely different than the actual product. It's not worth the hassle when you need 200 or 300 bodies.

 

[RIMSHOT]

I have created a Shockmount thread. Not sure if i am the best user to do it, but there it is:
http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=32592.0

 

[yosh]

Skylar, nice work!

I'd like to change my preference for polished as well.

I'll be really curious to find out what method you find works the best for soldering (or otherwise adhering) the grill to the headbasket. It's something I'm working on figuring out right now for some DIY mics of mine. I've been curious about the solder paste.

Thanks!!

-Yosh

 

[tommypiper]

...what are the sonic differences between a cheap chinese body and this carefully researched almost faithful U47 body... what the mojo of a body like this one is

Bro, you have obviously never used a real U47, (or other serious quality mic) or you probly wouldn't be asking.  The answers have mostly already been given in this thread.  But to make it so obvious that you won't have to think about it again, I'll summarize some points:

1 Headbasket shape, size, position, mesh, materials, in relation / combination with the capsule has a MAJOR influence on mic tone and character.  Starting with a classic, proven, quality design will be very positive.  You can mod, experiment, you can use Chinese bodies afterwards.  But why not start with (one of) the best designs as your reference?

2 The U47 mic is an icon.  Enough said.  Need more?  In my opinion it has a magic sound all its own, it is HUGE.  Once you hear one, your jaw will drop. 

3 Because it is an icon, it will impress you, the builder, and all who see it (read performers) and probably elicit quality in your recording endeavors and those of your artists, as MATTI mentioned.  You will be proud.  It will never be a "real" U47.  But you will smile. 

4 Because it is one of the best mic body shapes, it will very likely have a positive, euphonic contribution to whatever you put inside it, (read, it will pobly sound very good, as good as it looks).  If not, then see the next reason.

5 It's fun.  This is DIY.  Buying a mediocre Chinese body is great for its own sake, but it won't yield a work of art.  Or quality craftsmanship.  Choose your own reference points.

6 If you are interested in quality recording, and quality circuits, as most of us here are, then a quality crafted housing for your microphone should also appeal to you on aesthetic and artistic / craftsmanship grounds... if not, then this is not for you.

7 I'm sure there are other reasons, but I've blathered too much already.  Let's just get it on and you will see. 

 

[MATTI]

Yes, no, err yes- but this is so good a project...

Matti

 

[deuce42]

Tommypiper and anyone else that may be annoyed by earlier post - I am truly sorry if asking these questions irritate or insult you. I am just trying to learn and understand things. Everybody starts somewhere. Please don't forget that.

As suggested, I will be keeping my head down and continue with this project. As soon as Skylar's body is available I will be purchasing it. 

 

[giantbenny]

Tommypiper and anyone else that may be annoyed by earlier post - I am truly sorry if asking these questions irritate or insult you. I am just trying to learn and understand things. Everybody starts somewhere. Please don't forget that.

As suggested, I will be keeping my head down and continue with this project. As soon as Skylar's body is available I will be purchasing it. 

If you want to talk mics, just give me a call, i promise i won't bite youe head off.  0419 481 569 or 02 6633 1463.

Thanks.

Ben Sneesby

BeesNeez Microphones