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diymic.com

Postby Manning » Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:14 pm

http://www.diymic.com/

Anyone know anything about these? For $69 it might be a bit of fun.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Hookemeister » Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:26 pm

Hi Manning

Yeah it's a good little project to get you into DIY. It's cheap enough but don't forget postage from the States is bit pricey.

Basically a KM84 circuit with a large capsule.

Quality wise... it will come down to the capsule and the transformer.

Hopefully they're using a 797 capsule... these are the better capsules to come out of China.

I'd check what sort of transformer their using... if it's an Edcor then it's probably worth the investment.

If it's a Chinese transformer then maybe your better off buying one of the Chinese Schoeps Fet style mics and modding the electronics and upgrading the capsule. You can end up with quite a reasonable mic if you go down that path.

If you get the DIY kit be careful handling the capsule and keep it out of site when soldering... make it the last thing you install... the diaphragms are very fragile.

It's very satisfying to build something yourself... specially if it works... and even better if it sounds good.

Hope this helps
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Ben M » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:01 am

Crikey! $69 bucks, Worth it for the mic body alone if you were after one. Although probably not fantastic quality...still!
I'm pretty sure that's not an Edcor tranny in the pic. But like Greg is saying, you can swap parts with others to make a very decent mic. Perhaps a capsule from beesneez and a cinemag or similar transformer.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:22 am

For $69 it's worth it purely for the education.

Despite Hookemeister's best efforts above, I simply don't comprehend how the whole part swapping process will work, or what results would actually be achieved by swapping out part "X". Rather than read an explanation (which I can easily get here or find on the web), actually mucking around and experimenting will be far more educational.

Hence I think I'll go ahead and get one. Even if it sounds awful, I'll still get good value from the exercise.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:30 am

Re Shipping - they estimate $31 for one kit, $37 for two and $45 for three to eight.

Anybody else want one?
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Alastair Reynolds » Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:50 pm

Yeah Why not, for effectivey $85 AU it would be a bit of fun.
Put me down for one.

(P.S. Manning , haven't forgotton about the Outline EP) :D
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Re: diymic.com

Postby obutcher » Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:52 pm

I'm also keen. One of my aims this year is to learn about electronics, so this looks like a fun and useful kit. So cheap.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Ben M » Mon Feb 06, 2012 1:02 pm

Do we know why it includes a 7 pin XLR male connector in the components list? That would suggest a power supply is needed. But I can't see why. 3 pin XLR is all we need.

Could be a quick fun project. I'm down.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Hookemeister » Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:22 pm

Do we know why it includes a 7 pin XLR male connector in the components list?


Hi Ben

I'd say that's a copy & paste typo error... I can't believe they don't proof read their ads... very unprofessional.

If you look at the specifications below the component list, it is exactly the same as Tube DIY Mic and states it's a dual diaphragm mic, then the 3rd line down it states "Polar Pattern: Cardioid" If you look at the accompanying schematic, it is clearly a single diaphragm.

Approximate Specifications after assembly:

Type: large dual diaphragm pressure gradient condenser
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20 kHz
Polar Pattern: cardioid
Sensitivity: 14mV/Pa (@1kHz, 74dB SPL)
Output impedance: <200 ohms
Equivalent noise level: <17dB-A Max. SPL (@0,5%): 130dB


There is also a couple of 1 gigohm resistors missing from the component list. Make sure they are included as they're not the sort of component you can pickup from Jaycar or Altronics... and they're expensive.

There is also a bunch of other resistors that are not on the component list.

Before you buy it, email them and request a detailed component list and ask them if it's 797 capsule.

If you do get it, make sure your soldering skills are up to scratch, heat sink the transistors when your soldering them and buy some flux remover to clean the boards when your finished, especially around where the capsule terminates to the PCB.

Hope this helps
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Ben M » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:05 pm

It's all over the place! It's only a 1 page site. :D
But I agree with Greg re: double checking their BOM and capsule.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:23 pm

Greg - many, many thanks (as always) for your edjahmahcated insightment.

I'll send them one of them newfangled electronic letters and hold off ordering anything until I get a response.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby stosostu » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:49 pm

I'd be interested in the multi-pattern valve mic kit, but they are currently out of stock and no ETA. Especially whilst US Pesos are so cheap.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby waitup » Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:13 am

I'll grab a kit too, if that's OK?
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:50 am

Just a note to all - I'm holding off from ordering until they respond to my email about the issues that Greg raised above.

Regardless, so far I have an order of five (Ben, Owen, Nick, Alastair and me), with Bob wanting a valve kit (if stock becomes available).
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:01 am

Here's the reply from DIYmic. He also sent me a load of PDFs. If anybody wants them send me an email at
manning.bartlett@railcorp.nsw.gov.au and I'll forward them to you.

-------------------

Hi Manning,

Regarding shipping. Looks like USPS rates have gone up, no surprise there. We can fit 6 maybe 8 units (would have to remove them from their generic cardboard boxes and only include the foam inserts to get 8 in there) in a large USPS flat rate box for $61 shipped to AUS.

Regarding the components list, we updated the website. We also attached the printed files you will receive with the kit. We’ve sold hundreds of these with no complaints, only users with questions on how to assemble etc. Most people mod the heck out of them anyway. The A460DIY is a cardioid only mic, while there are technically two diaphragms, one front a rear, only the front has gold sputtering. It is a true pressure gradient capsule. Where did you see the dual-diaphragm misprint?

We actually maintain two webpages for the kits. Diymic.com (just because the domain attracts people looking for DIY) and Aurycle.com our main website. DIYmic unfortunately may get ignored a bit more with text updates etc. We have made some updates based on the forum posts.

We do not reveal where we source these, however, we can tell you it’s not easy and so far we’re the only ones able to get these at this point. They sell out quick and usually people are waiting 3 to 4 months to get one. We have very low margins on these (less than even typical dealer margins), we’re not gett’in rich that’s for sure, but we know the demand is high and availability is low for kits like this and we just happen to be in a position to source them.

If you have any questions please let us know. FYI our technical person is traveling in China so anything beyond the basics will take a while for a response.

Andrew
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Re: diymic.com

Postby stosostu » Tue Feb 07, 2012 1:05 pm

There will probably be a significant delay on the multi-pattern valve kit, so don't wait for me if you want to place an order.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Alistair » Sun Feb 12, 2012 3:34 pm

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Re: diymic.com

Postby waitup » Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:10 pm

Is this going ahead? Need some cash?
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:13 am

Yes, going ahead, probably on Friday. I'm going to order six, so there will be one spare if someone comes in late, otherwise I'll have two to play with.

Those who are in send me a PM and I'll send bank details. Don't send any money yet, as I'm still to get final pricing but it will be a max of $85. So far everyone on the list is in Sydney, so I'm assuming people will collect from me (in Burwood or Epping) or if it's more convenient, from my wife in Woollahra (at the Turkish Consulate on Ocean St).

If anyone is pulling out please let me know before Friday. Otherwise consider yourself committed for (max) $85.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Alistair » Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:17 am

Hey Manning-

I'm in for the last one. I'm in Melbourne, so if you let me know rough dimensions I'll figure out postage and send that to you as well.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:23 am

Meh, don't worry about it. I'll just ship it to you and then you donate whatever the domestic postage is to the salvos.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby waitup » Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:29 am

Sounds good. Thanks Manning.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Alistair » Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:54 am

Good man. I'll owe you a beer if we ever bump into each other as well!
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Ben M » Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:08 pm

Cool. Still down for one.

More DIY mods;
http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=47350.0
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Alistair » Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:15 pm

Any thoughts on the mods for anyone who has read through them?
I'm thinking I'll probably build it stock to start with, but I can imagine a good tx/capsule will make it a significantly different mike. Some of the circuit/component changes seem pretty straightforward and would only cost a few dollars
As you said Ben, $69 for the mic body is a pretty good deal in itself.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:38 pm

My humble goal is merely to get the thing to work without causing personal injury or any structural damage to the mic (or my house.)

I am however amazed that some people have apparently turned them into credible U87 clones.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Manning » Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:53 pm

Hmmmm... after reading up on the GroupDIY threads, I learned that people were buying replacement capsules from this guy:
http://www.aamicrophones.com/index.htm

He also sells complete mics - eg. 414 clone for under $400. I'm highly tempted as I'm a bit underpowered with FET mics.
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Re: diymic.com

Postby Hookemeister » Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:18 pm

OK DIY'ers... here's some food for thought.

I had a look at the Aurycle info Manning sent me... looks fine if you just want to build a cheap chinese mic for the fun of the exercise... and it will probably sound OK... not great, but useable. Looking at the parts list I don't think the finished product will be much different to a garden variety MXL.

So I guess you need to make a decision as to why your doing this. If it's for the fun of making your own mic then this kit is probably a good way to go.

If you want to improve on it then throw out the caps that are in the audio path and replace with some quality parts... $10 - 15. More info on that later if the group buy goes ahead.

Next... throw in a hand selected Fet and bias it correctly.... under $5

Next improvement is to replace the transformer... $50 - 100.

Then the biggest improvement... The capsule. Good consistent quality... not Chinese... $200 and up.

So if you're going to go that far you may as well buy the U87 Clone PCB set on Group DIY and get it right from the start.

So for under $500 you could have yourself a very serious mic... not a Neumann, but definitely a contender.

That being said... you're basically paying $69 for the case, headbasket and hardware... still, that's a pretty good deal.

If you're going to do a full upgrade then I'd nearly be inclined to buy the constructed version that comes with a shockmount and aluminium case for an extra $20 and rip out the internals... but I guess that would push the postage up. http://aurycle.com/aurycle-a460-large-d ... phone.html

I myself prefer to grab just any chinese clone, rip out the the internal electronics and build my own thing on a perf or veroboard. The reason for this is you find that the PCB's, like the Aurycle, are designed for cheap small components, so when you try to upgrade the cheap ceramic caps to larger film caps, the lead spacings aren't right and it all gets messy.

If you're serious about it and think you'll end up doing a full upgrade then I'd get the U87 Clone PCB's... it will make life a lot easier plus the guys over at GroupDIY have put a lot of effort into arriving at that solution.

Of course there's also the Schoeps circuit, no transformer involved, so works out a bit cheaper.

Hmmmm... after reading up on the GroupDIY threads, I learned that people were buying replacement capsules from this guy:
http://www.aamicrophones.com/index.htm

I'm pretty sure these are hand selected Chinese capsules. Probably 797's.


I think there's somebody on the Micbuilders forum that's going to be manufacturing a small diaphragm capsule for under $100 if he gets enough orders. Nothing wrong with a side address SDC mic if it's got a good capsule.

Hope this helps
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Re: diymic.com

Postby waitup » Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:35 pm

Greg has pretty much hit the nail on the head there.

I've got a set of those 87 boards from Group DIY on the way. I think I'll replace the output transformer with a Cinemag and maybe grab a Peluso capsule or something.

Cheap way to get an unfinished enclosure that fits the boards, as far as I'm concerned.

Now.... what colour to paint it?

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Re: diymic.com

Postby Alastair Reynolds » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:52 pm

Don't forget guys , this is a $69 mic. No it's not going to sound like a U87, but it's a pretty inexpensive lesson in construction for new comers . Better to make a mistake on a budget kit than a more expensive one . In the end you will have a LDC that may sound pretty reasonable and able to be used on non critical sources. We don't all have a cabinet full of U47, C12 or any of the other desirable classics.
So if you're new to DIY,buy it, look at all the bits , plan your build , do some dry runs, practice bending your resistor legs etc and aligning colour codes so it looks nice. Practice your soldering and see how the solder runs as you heat it. Learn how not to leave a cold joint and flux remnants everywhere. Get your cables and interconnects uniform lengths and dressed into chassis and make it look good..... then post up a picture for us all to see.

Best of all, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you built it yourself. I still have a number of little kits and ccts I made over 30 years ago, hand drawn PCBs and drilled with a pin drill. Parts bought from Dick Smith at Gore Hill when it was the Only Dick Smith store and Dick worked the counter (Ironically this is the site where 2UE now is).
I look at them and as rough as they are compared to what I do these days, I still have the satifaction of knowing "I made that in 1978 and it still works" There are plenty of better Kits and Parts out there that you can build as your next project (Maybe a Drip --Fairchild 670 ). Use something like this as your first step and then keep building ;)
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