Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: (Evan) on March 17, 2009, 03:57:54 PM

Title: Unmatched AT853 caps?
Post by: (Evan) on March 17, 2009, 03:57:54 PM

So I recently ordered a pair of AT853 Subcard caps directly from Audio Technica. While recording some stuff a little while ago, I noticed that one cap records about 4 or 5db lower than the other. I'm guessing that means the caps aren't matched. I was wondering if this will affect my recordings negatively other than the fact that I'm going to have to amplify one of the channels more than the other? Really annoying...

Title: Re: Unmatched AT853 caps?
Post by: Belexes on March 17, 2009, 04:35:50 PM

I don't think you can get matched AT caps like the ones you are using. Tape 24 bit, peak at -12 and boost evenly in post.

Title: Re: Unmatched AT853 caps?
Post by: illconditioned on March 17, 2009, 04:38:02 PM

That sounds like quite a difference.
Try unscrewing each cap and cleaning and/or bending the tab below to make a good contact.

  Richard

Title: Re: Unmatched AT853 caps?
Post by: Javier Cinakowski on March 17, 2009, 04:40:23 PM

yeah, I have had many 853 capsules drop-shipped to me from AT, they were all within a dB

Title: Re: Unmatched AT853 caps?
Post by: SmokinJoe on March 17, 2009, 04:45:08 PM

I'm surprised if 2 caps that they shipped you from the factory are that far apart.

As a reference, I have two AT853 card caps where they are from 2 different ebay deals, physically look different, probably years different manufacture, came on bodies where one had thick wire and the other had thick wire, connected to 2 different types of phantom adapters... in other words, they didn't even pretend to be a closely related... and they are about 2db from each other.  Shit luck? Maybe.  I thought probably all caps produced in the last 10 years are probably within some half decent relation to each other.

I have several sets of AT853's and caps and I've never seen a pair that were noticeably off other that the above really mis-match pair.  I have one body on one of my sets where something is funky with the body and sometimes it's off several 5 db, then I unscrew the cap a little and tighten it back up and it's dead nuts.  Just dirty I figure.  I've never bother to take it apart.

I'd suggest you check them on someone else's bodies, some one else caps on your bodies... if it is real, then I'm surprised.

Title: Re: Unmatched AT853 caps?
Post by: (Evan) on March 17, 2009, 04:53:28 PM

I'm pretty sure it's the caps. The problem isn't there on my omni's or cardioids. And it's consistent when I switch the caps as well...the same one is always lower.

I'ma contact AT and see what they say.

Title: Re: Unmatched AT853 caps?
Post by: (Evan) on March 17, 2009, 05:30:27 PM

They're gonna send me a new pair!