Topic: AKG Blueline Active Cable mod (step by step pictorial)

[igene]

I'm starting the post with just a few shots of the before and after,
and to have a place for the big mod post to go.
I'm just getting the whistle wet so to speak.
(It's a big post, and will take some time to compose...)








Trying a suspended OMNI spread (w/ A91's*) for max coverage in a small area, and possibly some stereo separation as well...


* thanks anodyne33 for the one on the right.

[kirk97132]

It makes me cringe to see a cable that you can't buy anymore cut down

[Brian Skalinder]

Is this to enable running the caps without the bodies, direct from a Tiny/Little Box or some such?

[igene]

It makes me cringe to see a cable that you can't buy anymore cut down

Would you rather I soldered to just the cap, and used duct tape to hold it on ? 

The cables were damaged, and needed repair.
I took the opportunity to improve them.
I think they will function better, last longer, and be used more in this configuration 

story >
I bought the cables from someone here on TS, one was bad.
I sent it out and had it repaired. I think I paid around $100. for the repair.
They sat in a box and got moved around a few times, I never used them.
I needed the cables for a job, so I took them out and tested them.
They both had issues. Unbelievable.
So rather than pay again, and possibly have the same issue - I did the mod !

Brian-
Yes, these can be power by anything from a CA-9100 (me) to a tinybox...
even with XLR power adapters (I believe) for a preamp w/ 48V output.
I havn't tried that yet, but I don't see why not.

[Brian Skalinder]

these can be power by anything from a CA-9100 (me) to a tinybox...
even with XLR power adapters (I believe) for a preamp w/ 48V output.

If ever there was a worthy cause for hacking an out of production piece, this is it!  Looks great.

[igene]

This needed to be done if not only to improve the cable.
The crappy thin cable AKG used gets damaged VERY easily.

The new cable is almost twice as thick, and well protected with the outer rubber coating.
(it's Audio-Technica Unipoint cable, possibly made by Mogami)

comparison >

[willndmb]

i think this was a great upgrade
EVERYONE i heard of having issues with these cables knew or believed it had to do with the "cheap" cable used by akg
i heard/read over and over about how you had to be so careful wrapping it up and such

[kirk97132]

First off why take it as a criticism of what you are doing...eh whatever... So the capsule takes 48volts?  Interesting
 

[illconditioned]

I did the hardwire mod.  I just took the capsule apart, soldered "standard" AT853 wire inside, and put heatshrink on the outside.  I've done this to three sets of capsules, two since sold.  I've got one set (CK93) here remaining.

My motivation was the cheap price of the capsules alone (approx $250 each, as low as $80 each on Ebay from a rental company).  This allows you to avoid the cost of both the bodies and the cables.  Unlike other so-called "active cables", there is nothing in there but wire and connectors.  The capsules themselves are electret, and the FET is inside the capsule.  A standard "3-wire" battery box will power them.

Enjoy your work, Igene.  You'll never worry about the cables again.

 Richard

PS: I recall someone here was looking for the cable parts.  Not sure when "end", but they were trying to connect a CK97 (lavalier) capsule IIRC.

[igene]

... So the capsule takes 48volts?  Interesting

They will work with XLR power adapters.
So that's not 48V, I think it's more like 9 -16V.
(not exactly sure)
someone correct me if I'm wrong.


I have a set of Audix XLR>minXLR adapters.
It works with them.

I just did a test. Works great !

V2 (Phantom ON) > Audix APS-910 adapters > AKG mod cables* / CK-91's
Dicks pick's # 10 on the stereo. That's a great recording...

*I need a name for these...

You can see the levels are set average on the pre, and little bit higher on the HP amp. (HP #1 output)
It was pretty loud, full and real clear !
I can't wait to use these.

[kirk97132]

So you cannot run 48volts to the capsules? sSo then this is just substituting Audix phantom power adapters for the SE300 bodies?  Using the phantom power adapters is better than the SE300 bodies?  I guess I'm confused but wouldn't you be better off still using the se300 bodies you had rather than eliminating them for plain phantom power adapters?

[igene]

The benefit is the small caps (w/ connector body) that can now be used for stealth, or a smaller T-bar setup for less weight in the air.
Also, they can now be used w/ 9V battery boxes, and small preamps (CA-9100, CA-9200 for example) that provide 9V
to the capsule making it much more versatile in it's use's.
If you are running a preamp that provides 48V phantom, you use the adapters to run this setup.
Before, you were stuck ONLY using an XLR connection to 48V phantom supply. Now you can do both.
The AKG's never needed 48V to run properly in the first place (only like 18V max)

This setup works on many levels...
Besides, they don't sound much different (if at all) w/o the preamp body.
You'd have to ask someone else why this is true.

[OOK]

Dude that is a slick set up T+............

[ashevillain]

In one picture you have the red going into the right channel of the V2 and the next you have the mics set up with the red on the left. 

Sorry, just messing with ya...I know it was just a test.

This whole setup looks good. I'd guess there is probably a minimal sonic difference between running the SE300B bodies vs. phantom power adapters...

[F.O.Bean]

Dude that is a slick set up T+............