Topic: Audio Upgrades/Jim Williams mod for AKG 460

[JNT]

I'm considering having the Jim Williams mod done to my AKG 460s.
How does the sound compare to the unmodified mics?
How does it compare to the 480s? Is there a mod offered for the 480s? I didn't see one listed on his site.

Also can anyone point me to some downloadable material recorded with the modified 460s.

I'll be getting the JK Labs box eventually but I'm planning on  the  mod since the JK Labs wouldn't be able to get here before Bonnaroo.

Thanks,
Joe

[caymanreview]

not available for the 480s, thats all i know

[JNT]

Thanks caymanreview,

Does he feel there is no room for improvement on the 480 or has he just not designed an upgrade for it?

Joe

[caymanreview]

i cant remember the specifics, but i dont think he can upgrade the 480s

i would have definantly had it done to mine, if it were available

[Matt Quinn]

Thanks caymanreview,

Does he feel there is no room for improvement on the 480 or has he just not designed an upgrade for it?

Joe

It has to do with the assembly of the mics. The 460's have a screw on the body that is not on the 480 bodies, so I don't think he can get to the guts of the 480's without a lot more work.  

[utahtaper]

Thanks caymanreview,

Does he feel there is no room for improvement on the 480 or has he just not designed an upgrade for it?

Joe

It has to do with the assembly of the mics. The 460's have a screw on the body that is not on the 480 bodies, so I don't think he can get to the guts of the 480's without a lot more work.  

The guts of the 480's are easy to get out. One screw and they slide right out. It has to do with the actual electronics of the mic. If I remember right, its a transformer or something that makes it non upgradeable.

*Edit* It's because the mic is solid state circuitry that makes it non upgradeable. It's not because of a transformer.

[Chris K]

search ts.com and the OLD oade board for "460" and you should see lots of info on this.

[caymanreview]

im pretty sure utahtaper is right on this, that is what i was thinking was that it is a transformer type issues that keeps him from mod'ing the 480s

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

I had my 460's mod'd by Jim and love them to death. I really liked the stock 460's but the mod seems to give them an even more natural sound -- to me, they seem to record exactly what I'm hearing. No extra mud like the Schoeps or extra tin like the Neumann's (IMO of course; please don't flame) -- according to Jim, if you get these mod's you'll be able to hear yourself smile from 3 feet away.

When I spoke to him on the phone, he said they were his favorite sounding mic and he'd take them in a heartbeat over any Schoeps, Neumanns or B&K's (some of which he also mod's! check out audioupgrades.com).

Here's a copy of an e-mail regarding specifics I received from Jim Williams:

Hello, the 460 mod includes transformer removal, new LT opamp, Hitachi transistors, MIT caps, etc. Low end extends to 2 hz. Top end has smoother clearer sound with great low level detail, all the plastic overtones are moved. I have Schoeps, B+K, etc., and these are the most real mics I've heard. You can hear yourself smile from 3 feet away!

 

Good luck!

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

Regarding the JKLabs 460 mod/box:

You won't be able to use your Jim Williams modified mic bodies with them, so you'll be stuck using only the ck61/62/63 capsule -- which is fine, but not worth the $800 for the mod IMO. You might as well buy some Sonic Studios for stealthing for less money. Again, all IMO... please don't flame.

[wsphansam]

Also can anyone point me to some downloadable material recorded with the modified 460s.

Love this copy of this show.
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=10255

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

Here's the link to a Garage a Trois show I FOB'd last summer:
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=6427

AKG c460b [Jim Williams modification] + ck63 (hyper) > DMIC-20 > D100

[JNT]

Regarding the JKLabs 460 mod/box:

You won't be able to use your Jim Williams modified mic bodies with them, so you'll be stuck using only the ck61/62/63 capsule -- which is fine, but not worth the $800 for the mod IMO. You might as well buy some Sonic Studios for stealthing for less money. Again, all IMO... please don't flame.

Thanks for the info.  There wasn't alot of detail on his web site.  I did send him an email the other day but I haven't heard back yet.   I realize wont be able to use the 460 bodies once I buy the JK Labs box.   The JK Labs is more like $1300 BTW for the box and cables.  I'm  99% sure I will be buying the JK Labs but Bonnaroo is going to be my big taping event of the year and I wouldn't be able to get them that fast.  Hopefully Jim will be able to get them done in time.  

I have 2 pairs of 460s right now so odds are when I buy the box  
I will sell the modified 460 bodies and keep the unmodifed set.

Joe

Joe

[recordista]

The electronics in the 480 body are all SMT and there's no room for the huge MIT Multicaps and metal film resistors he uses.

I've got seven mod C460B's and I love them.

[JNT]

I thought the bodies of the 460 and 480 were the same size?
+T for owning 7 awsome AKG mics.

Joe