Search found 1135 matches

by Jim Williams
Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:20 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Desoldering Woes
Replies: 10
Views: 4253

If you can't swing a Hakko pump, buy some 'Chip-Quik" desoldering low temp solder. That melts at around 250 degrees so it will wet the old solder and lossen all of it up for easy extraction.
Digi-Key sells the kit for about $14.
by Jim Williams
Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:17 am
Forum: Tape Op Message Board (TOMB)
Topic: TapeOp MessageBoard Migration
Replies: 8
Views: 19810

Will it support XP?
by Jim Williams
Thu Jun 01, 2017 9:03 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: let's talk about kick drum mics
Replies: 23
Views: 7677

I've used the RE-20 for 30+ years for that. I tried most of the alternatives but always revert back to EV. It does 30 hz~18k hz flat without proximity effect. I place it for tone and don't worry about it. The lack of proximity effect makes placement easy as the low end will not change with mic diaph...
by Jim Williams
Mon May 15, 2017 8:43 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: MCA SP1 Mod/upgrade PICS!
Replies: 33
Views: 18608

The polarization voltage in the MCA is around 42 volts, pretty low and not enough to properly charge a 1" diaphram. Those need 60 volts. The output resistance of 22 ohms is too low to stabilize the output drive transistors. The jfet bias may not be correct for the device. All of those issues are wor...
by Jim Williams
Sun May 07, 2017 9:41 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Any Quad Eight Q8 Experts Here??
Replies: 9
Views: 4104

Unlike the discrete versions I have here those are the later simple transformer in front of an opamp design. Gain is set by r shunt/r feedback +1. Modern opamps like LME49710's will allow for the resistor swap to increase maximum gain, use that formula. Decrease the gain shunt resistor, 10k feedback...
by Jim Williams
Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:10 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Tascam / TEAC Series 70 help
Replies: 8
Views: 2905

Bias up to +9 with high output tape and you will get a 75 db s/n ratio without noise, err, music reduction.

The only NR I ever used that was 1/2 effective was Dolby SR, but that also sucked all the air out too.
by Jim Williams
Thu Apr 13, 2017 9:40 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Transformer Buzz audible in room
Replies: 13
Views: 4536

vvv wrote:
Nick Sevilla wrote: ... , especially in semi pro units, like the DBX compressor.
A dbx 160X is semi pro?
Most audio is semi pro. The pro's left the building years ago. If you see the 160X in the racks at the Warner Bros mixing stage it's pro. If it's in your bedroom it's semi pro.
by Jim Williams
Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:12 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Transformer Buzz audible in room
Replies: 13
Views: 4536

Same issue here. Everything is very quiet except power transformers. I replaced most of them with torrids. That did the trick here.
by Jim Williams
Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:33 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Best Large Format Console for Electronic Music
Replies: 4
Views: 1859

A used Soundcraft Series 5 has sweepable hi and low pass filters plus full parametric EQ. They sell pretty cheap used.
by Jim Williams
Fri Apr 07, 2017 8:10 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: MCA SP1 Mod/upgrade PICS!
Replies: 33
Views: 18608

I have found no salvation for the MCA SP-1 capsule, it's that bad. Replace it and you too will understand.
by Jim Williams
Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:36 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: MCA SP1 Mod/upgrade PICS!
Replies: 33
Views: 18608

The Mic Parts circuits were designed to polarize the diaphrams and it takes the signal off the backplate. That eliminates the 1000 pf cap off the capsule, it's then direct coupled. Then you only have the interstage cap to worry about.
by Jim Williams
Fri Mar 24, 2017 8:03 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: MCA SP1 Mod/upgrade PICS!
Replies: 33
Views: 18608

Extending the low end is the best result those parts can offer. I use the Mic Parts rk-12, k-87, k-67, k-47 and some EU capsules. All of them sound excellent and all are useful. A stock MCA SP-1 with one of those capsules will easily beat a highly modified SP-1 with that stock capsule. Combine them ...
by Jim Williams
Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:52 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: MCA SP1 Mod/upgrade PICS!
Replies: 33
Views: 18608

Don't expect much from 3 caps. SP-1's have a rather harsh sounding capsule, it gets worse with better circuits.

A replacement capsule solves those issues. Microphone-parts sells replacement kits and pcb's for those mics using my designs. I recommend those if you want to improve that mic.
by Jim Williams
Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:37 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Pedal geeking
Replies: 9
Views: 2962

Install a machined IC socket and play. The 071 will generate more upper harmonics. For a smoother sound, try an old RCA CA3040 opamp. It's all fets inside, no bipolar transistors. Funny, the opamps I mostly remove from recording consoles (the 072 series) generate the best distortion harmonics in a f...
by Jim Williams
Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:12 am
Forum: Creative Recording
Topic: Pedal geeking
Replies: 9
Views: 2962

I used a 3 way toggle in my custom fuzz. One is silicon, one is germanium, the third is asysmetrical germanium, 3 diodes. The opamp pedels use either a OPA1642 for quality or a TL072 for grit (used in the fuzzer). Most of my home mades are built with Dale CMF resistors and Wima film caps. I don't li...