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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 28, 2022 11:39:45 GMT -6
Title kinda says it all. I'd like to try my hand (in the future) with a DIY Mic build. Been looking at different kits from Mic And Mod, Microphone parts etc. This is mostly for my own education, I think it would be a great learning process and I'd like to be able to mod my own gear in the future. My skill level with a soldering iron is pretty beginner. I'm good soldiering cables, changing pickups and pots in my guitars, simple point to point stuff in a few tube amps etc. Never soldiered on a PCB before however.
So is tackling a mic build getting in over my head for a first time build? How hard are tube mics vs condensers? My main interest is education so to speak, but I obviously want to end up with a mic that I love. What would make a great first time build kit? The Bumble Bee ribbons look great, but also kind of too easy...I'm not going to learn anything with that kind of build. A good pair of DIY SDC would be cool, but I rarely use SDC's and already have that covered in my current mic locker. Which leads me to tube mics...another nice tube mic would always be welcome in my mic locker but that's quite possibly too ambitious.
Thoughts?
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Post by Blackdawg on Jun 28, 2022 12:02:05 GMT -6
Sort of depends on the kit, like most DIY stuff. Most mic kits can be tricky mostly due to the mechanical parts(assembling it) more so than the PCB. Getting all the PCBs, wiring, and metal work to work together right can be challenging, depending on the kit. The Bumble bee kits are super easy. But also really nice microphones so it's worth it if you want some nice ribbons. Tub mics are more complicated than condensers. But I wouldn't be afraid to dive in. Worst that can happen is you damage a part which can be replaced. Which is a good exercise all on its own! So build whatever you want! If you want a good starter kit to just get practice soldering PCBs look at the starter kits from DIYRE. They aren't microphones, but building a DI, a Re amp box, a mic booster(cloud lifter) or Line level attenuation, or summing box, is handy tools to have and they are very easy. Most are well under $100 each. www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/studio-essentials |
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 28, 2022 12:51:45 GMT -6
Sort of depends on the kit, like most DIY stuff. Most mic kits can be tricky mostly due to the mechanical parts(assembling it) more so than the PCB. Getting all the PCBs, wiring, and metal work to work together right can be challenging, depending on the kit. The Bumble bee kits are super easy. But also really nice microphones so it's worth it if you want some nice ribbons. Tub mics are more complicated than condensers. But I wouldn't be afraid to dive in. Worst that can happen is you damage a part which can be replaced. Which is a good exercise all on its own! So build whatever you want! If you want a good starter kit to just get practice soldering PCBs look at the starter kits from DIYRE. They aren't microphones, but building a DI, a Re amp box, a mic booster(cloud lifter) or Line level attenuation, or summing box, is handy tools to have and they are very easy. Most are well under $100 each. www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/studio-essentialsThanks! I was planning on building a pair of those DIYRE DI boxes, seem easy enough and I could always use the DI's. Any mic kits you'd recommend for or against? |
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Post by craigmorris74 on Jun 28, 2022 14:02:40 GMT -6
I’ve built mics in the style of the KM84, u87i, 47FET and a couple of original tube mics. If you take your time and double check your work, you’ll be fine. I would not recommend any of the kit makers. They are overpriced and component quality and support is often lacking. I’d recommend getting your PCB from vintagemicrophonepcbkit.com/ and read the build threads at groupdiy.com. A 47FET style mic would be a great place to start. |
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Post by jeremygillespie on Jun 28, 2022 15:36:50 GMT -6
I don’t know diddly about building mics, but before I tried my hand at Capi and Hairball preamp kits I did a few guitar pedals to get myself going past the building cables and other similar stuff in school. Once I got past that I was off and running. I’ve probably done like 20 capi preamps and like 10 Lola’s. And I have some decent cool guitar pedals added to my roster as well. Just a thought.
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 29, 2022 9:55:08 GMT -6
I don’t know diddly about building mics, but before I tried my hand at Capi and Hairball preamp kits I did a few guitar pedals to get myself going past the building cables and other similar stuff in school. Once I got past that I was off and running. I’ve probably done like 20 capi preamps and like 10 Lola’s. And I have some decent cool guitar pedals added to my roster as well. Just a thought. Guitar pedals are an excellent idea. Any recommendations on good peal kits? |
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Post by jeremygillespie on Jun 29, 2022 10:45:06 GMT -6
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Jul 3, 2022 17:14:31 GMT -6
I would tackle some of these suggestions before taking on a Tube mic. They are fiddly to make and high voltages tend to hurt.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,103 
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Post by ericn on Jul 5, 2022 14:03:57 GMT -6
As others have said start with something simple and grow your skills.
The best places to start? Cables and patchbays , sexy no but you will see your skills grow. If you do decide to go for a mic build start with something FET based, lower voltage less of a shock.
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