Topic: Nak cm300 active mod?

[aberg]

Is anyone still modding these? Prices, etc?

[aberg]

the problem is finding the samson pm4 adapters that are needed to run the actives, since they are discontinued.
the at8533 adapters do the job too, they are just double the price. 

last time I checked with him, chris (busman2) was still performing this mod if you supplied all the parts needed.

Yeah, so I guess finding the adapters becomes a problem... nuts!

[PG]

There were some active Naks in the yard sale just last month. I don't know if they ever sold.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=63830.0

[larrysellers]

Just be persistent and they will come. Actually its not double the price anymore b/c the pm4 have been discontinued. AT makes several models, with the oldest style being the least expensive and AKG also make these phantom adapters but I don't know what their price point is compared with the others.

[aberg]

There were some active Naks in the yard sale just last month. I don't know if they ever sold.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=63830.0

They're sold I think.

[aberg]

Just be persistent and they will come. Actually its not double the price anymore b/c the pm4 have been discontinued. AT makes several models, with the oldest style being the least expensive and AKG also make these phantom adapters but I don't know what their price point is compared with the others.

Got any links to online retailers selling the 8533s?

[aberg]

bhphoto seems to have the PM4's but they say they have to be ordered in

[poorlyconditioned]

Just be persistent and they will come. Actually its not double the price anymore b/c the pm4 have been discontinued. AT makes several models, with the oldest style being the least expensive and AKG also make these phantom adapters but I don't know what their price point is compared with the others.

Got any links to online retailers selling the 8533s?

You don't need a power module.  You can run Naks directly off a (9v) battery box.  I've done it myself.  In fact, I've got a set of (self made) Franken Naks I can sell/lend you if you wish.

That said, I think the Naks are overrated.  I've got better sound from a single point AT822, or even standard AT853s.  In particular, I found the Naks have a higher self noise (*) than the above AT mics, and the AT mics just sound "better", probably due to more modern design (thinner, gold plated diaphragm?).  Here are some samples comparing AT822 and Naks on same source with same (MD) recorder:
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-nak.mp3 (Naks)
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-at822.mp3 (AT822)

(*) Disclaimer, my Naks are heavily used.  But in general I wonder if all Nak mics might have deteriorated (eg., lost charge on electret element) over the (>20 years??) of age.

  Richard

[aberg]

bhphoto seems to have the PM4's but they say they have to be ordered in

if you find a place that has them in stock, lmk, and I'll order us four.  you can just pay me via paypal or something.
shipping to me in ny will be cheaper than to you in canada.  then I'll just send yours to you.

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=samson+pm4&btnG=Search+Froogle

I already "own" a pair of 300s and pm4 adapters but marc kim has them. 

Brand-Electronics for $25.. not bad, doubt they're in stock though. That sound like a good plan though to order 4... save on shipping too. Thanks! I'll keep my eyes open.

[aberg]

Just be persistent and they will come. Actually its not double the price anymore b/c the pm4 have been discontinued. AT makes several models, with the oldest style being the least expensive and AKG also make these phantom adapters but I don't know what their price point is compared with the others.

Got any links to online retailers selling the 8533s?

You don't need a power module.  You can run Naks directly off a (9v) battery box.  I've done it myself.  In fact, I've got a set of (self made) Franken Naks I can sell/lend you if you wish.

That said, I think the Naks are overrated.  I've got better sound from a single point AT822, or even standard AT853s.  In particular, I found the Naks have a higher self noise (*) than the above AT mics, and the AT mics just sound "better", probably due to more modern design (thinner, gold plated diaphragm?).  Here are some samples comparing AT822 and Naks on same source with same (MD) recorder:
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-nak.mp3 (Naks)
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-at822.mp3 (AT822)

(*) Disclaimer, my Naks are heavily used.  But in general I wonder if all Nak mics might have deteriorated (eg., lost charge on electret element) over the (>20 years??) of age.

  Richard

I want to run an all-in-one rig with my 660, so I need the phantom mod done to run with p48 from the 660... got any pics of your active naks richard?

[poorlyconditioned]

Just be persistent and they will come. Actually its not double the price anymore b/c the pm4 have been discontinued. AT makes several models, with the oldest style being the least expensive and AKG also make these phantom adapters but I don't know what their price point is compared with the others.

Got any links to online retailers selling the 8533s?

You don't need a power module.  You can run Naks directly off a (9v) battery box.  I've done it myself.  In fact, I've got a set of (self made) Franken Naks I can sell/lend you if you wish.

That said, I think the Naks are overrated.  I've got better sound from a single point AT822, or even standard AT853s.  In particular, I found the Naks have a higher self noise (*) than the above AT mics, and the AT mics just sound "better", probably due to more modern design (thinner, gold plated diaphragm?).  Here are some samples comparing AT822 and Naks on same source with same (MD) recorder:
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-nak.mp3 (Naks)
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-at822.mp3 (AT822)

(*) Disclaimer, my Naks are heavily used.  But in general I wonder if all Nak mics might have deteriorated (eg., lost charge on electret element) over the (>20 years??) of age.

  Richard

I want to run an all-in-one rig with my 660, so I need the phantom mod done to run with p48 from the 660... got any pics of your active naks richard?

I wouldn't worry too much about a battery box.  That is *really* small.  You can make one just a little bigger than a 9V battery.

If you're really stuck on an all-in-one box, the best setup is still AT853Rx IMO.  You can use those as stealth or open, and you can use all types of capsules (omni, subcard, card, hyper).  I wouldn't mess with the Naks.

  Richard

[aberg]

Just be persistent and they will come. Actually its not double the price anymore b/c the pm4 have been discontinued. AT makes several models, with the oldest style being the least expensive and AKG also make these phantom adapters but I don't know what their price point is compared with the others.

Got any links to online retailers selling the 8533s?

You don't need a power module.  You can run Naks directly off a (9v) battery box.  I've done it myself.  In fact, I've got a set of (self made) Franken Naks I can sell/lend you if you wish.

That said, I think the Naks are overrated.  I've got better sound from a single point AT822, or even standard AT853s.  In particular, I found the Naks have a higher self noise (*) than the above AT mics, and the AT mics just sound "better", probably due to more modern design (thinner, gold plated diaphragm?).  Here are some samples comparing AT822 and Naks on same source with same (MD) recorder:
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-nak.mp3 (Naks)
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-at822.mp3 (AT822)

(*) Disclaimer, my Naks are heavily used.  But in general I wonder if all Nak mics might have deteriorated (eg., lost charge on electret element) over the (>20 years??) of age.

  Richard

I want to run an all-in-one rig with my 660, so I need the phantom mod done to run with p48 from the 660... got any pics of your active naks richard?

I wouldn't worry too much about a battery box.  That is *really* small.  You can make one just a little bigger than a 9V battery.

If you're really stuck on an all-in-one box, the best setup is still AT853Rx IMO.  You can use those as stealth or open, and you can use all types of capsules (omni, subcard, card, hyper).  I wouldn't mess with the Naks.

  Richard

The reason i want an all in one is cuz I think the line in is disabled on the ACM 660...

I'd like to hear a side by side comparison of the AT853Rx vs. Franken-Naks .. if one even exists. I like recordings I've heard with both sets...

[poorlyconditioned]

You don't need a power module.  You can run Naks directly off a (9v) battery box.  I've done it myself.  In fact, I've got a set of (self made) Franken Naks I can sell/lend you if you wish.

That said, I think the Naks are overrated.  I've got better sound from a single point AT822, or even standard AT853s.  In particular, I found the Naks have a higher self noise (*) than the above AT mics, and the AT mics just sound "better", probably due to more modern design (thinner, gold plated diaphragm?).  Here are some samples comparing AT822 and Naks on same source with same (MD) recorder:
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-nak.mp3 (Naks)
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-at822.mp3 (AT822)

(*) Disclaimer, my Naks are heavily used.  But in general I wonder if all Nak mics might have deteriorated (eg., lost charge on electret element) over the (>20 years??) of age.

  Richard

the naks will have higher self noise when run with a 9 volt battery.  that's how they were designed originally.
running 9 volts of phantom into them makes them sound totally different.

Are you talking about *internal* 9V or external?

I am running with an *external* 9V source, in a 3-wire confirguration.  I'm running exactly the same as Leegeddy's circuit, just using a 3-wire battery box instead of a phantom adapter.  They power exactly the same as AT853, etc.  Either a 3-wire battery box or a phantom adapter...

  Richard

[poorlyconditioned]

Just be persistent and they will come. Actually its not double the price anymore b/c the pm4 have been discontinued. AT makes several models, with the oldest style being the least expensive and AKG also make these phantom adapters but I don't know what their price point is compared with the others.

Got any links to online retailers selling the 8533s?

You don't need a power module.  You can run Naks directly off a (9v) battery box.  I've done it myself.  In fact, I've got a set of (self made) Franken Naks I can sell/lend you if you wish.

That said, I think the Naks are overrated.  I've got better sound from a single point AT822, or even standard AT853s.  In particular, I found the Naks have a higher self noise (*) than the above AT mics, and the AT mics just sound "better", probably due to more modern design (thinner, gold plated diaphragm?).  Here are some samples comparing AT822 and Naks on same source with same (MD) recorder:
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-nak.mp3 (Naks)
  www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/AT822/2006-06-15-at822.mp3 (AT822)

(*) Disclaimer, my Naks are heavily used.  But in general I wonder if all Nak mics might have deteriorated (eg., lost charge on electret element) over the (>20 years??) of age.

  Richard

I want to run an all-in-one rig with my 660, so I need the phantom mod done to run with p48 from the 660... got any pics of your active naks richard?

I wouldn't worry too much about a battery box.  That is *really* small.  You can make one just a little bigger than a 9V battery.

If you're really stuck on an all-in-one box, the best setup is still AT853Rx IMO.  You can use those as stealth or open, and you can use all types of capsules (omni, subcard, card, hyper).  I wouldn't mess with the Naks.

  Richard

The reason i want an all in one is cuz I think the line in is disabled on the ACM 660...

I'd like to hear a side by side comparison of the AT853Rx vs. Franken-Naks .. if one even exists. I like recordings I've heard with both sets...

I don't have any comparison between AT853Rx and Franken-Naks.  I only have AT822 vs Naks.  So my preference for the AT853 is just a guess.

My comment on evaluation of mics: You really do need a comparison.  If you listen to recordings in isolation, alll mics can sound great under good conditions.  (For example, Unitmonster has some smokin' recordings with AT853Rx (sc) into a Marantz 660.)  Other people have got great Nak recordings.  It is only after comparing the two side by side that one can decide what is better.

So, I've compared AT822 to Nak, but not AT853 (yet...).

  Richard

[aberg]

Yah, that's a good point richard...

[audBall]

You guys got me thinkin'....I'm gonna try some comps here at the house later today

AT943(card) > Samson PM4 > ....   the closest I can get to the 853Rx

&

Nak300(card) w/ bm2 p48 mod (wired same as franken's) > Samsom PM4 > ...


If my acoustic bathroom sessions bring anything to light, I may share

Oh, and by 'acoustic', I don't mean 'flatulent' 

[poorlyconditioned]

You guys got me thinkin'....I'm gonna try some comps here at the house later today

AT943(card) > Samson PM4 > ....   the closest I can get to the 853Rx

&

Nak300(card) w/ bm2 p48 mod (wired same as franken's) > Samsom PM4 > ...


If my acoustic bathroom sessions bring anything to light, I may share

Oh, and by 'acoustic', I don't mean 'flatulent' 

That would be great!

  Richard

[aberg]

You guys got me thinkin'....I'm gonna try some comps here at the house later today

AT943(card) > Samson PM4 > ....   the closest I can get to the 853Rx

&

Nak300(card) w/ bm2 p48 mod (wired same as franken's) > Samsom PM4 > ...


If my acoustic bathroom sessions bring anything to light, I may share

Oh, and by 'acoustic', I don't mean 'flatulent' 

Yeah, awesome.. make sure to post that!! That's exactly what I was looking for!

[audBall]

Ok, so I setup my small stand in the tub, mics facing out about 3.5 ft high, both pairs in an XY-esque config.  This comparison is, by no means, 100% accurate nor is it intended to define the characteristics of the naks vs. the ATs. I was trying to get an idea of the self-noise generated by the two in similar conditions (as best I could make them).  I noticed, after I made the first take w/ the naks, that the wiring into one of the capsules seemed to give me some nasty static. I'll have to get Chris to check it out.  So, all you get for now are to tracks of silence with the v3 pumped...  the bowel movements shall be postponed until a later date.

the story goes:
mics > Samson PM4 > 15' bumblebees > 1.5ft silverpath RAs > V3 @ 60db gain (ANSR) > opti > Creative SB > SF 7.0 (16/48)

I should also note that the cabling in the chain was different as well.  The ATs have the tiny 'audio-technica' cabling (about 5-6ft) and mine terminate to stereo 1/8", which then have 1/8>MiniXLR(f) cables (1ft) to go into the PM4's.  The Naks have 12' canare cables wired into the capsule and terminate to miniXLR(f) and go into the PM4's. 

AT943(card):
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=F319788900AA0731

Nak300(card):
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=FE56A7E050A7668D

Needless to say (once the tracks were listened to), I was amazed at the outcome.  There are so many variables, though, in this situation that it's hard to pinpoint any single area.  I wonder if hardwired ATs>phantom adapters would have a different result.  I'm going to try this some more this weekend at different gain levels / caps / etc. given I can subside the static for a bit in that nak.   Any input on what I might want to try would be greatly appreciated. 

[aberg]

Could you take samples recording music from your stereo at close range?

[audBall]

Could you take samples recording music from your stereo at close range?

Sure, I can try that later.  I wish I had my 3ways hooked up at this house (although they're nothing to brag about).  It's just there's not much of a real stereo here right now but there are some smaller in-wall 2ways.  They actually sound alright.  I'll see what I can do 

[easy jim]

There were some active Naks in the yard sale just last month. I don't know if they ever sold.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=63830.0

Guilty.

[audBall]

There were some active Naks in the yard sale just last month. I don't know if they ever sold.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=63830.0

Guilty.

and some XLS's ordered too?  nice double-snag!

[bdasilva]

hummmm      I have a set of Naks... A set of AT853 power adapters.... Can someone post pictures or explain how the cable is held at the capsule side. Is it jut potted in place?  I could use silver cable. No mini xlr though. (the at adapters are just wire in).



Audball... record Tom Waits when he tours

[audBall]

Some living room samples.  I got alot of important stuff done today 

Keep in mind the fact that I was recording off of some 2way wall speakers.  They lack that low thump. 
The setup was a little different this time.  I ran about 6-8ft back, DIN, about 5ft high for both. 

naks (12' canares)   &    AT943card(same 1/8" connections as above) > PM4 > V3 (ANSR) > JB3 (16/48) > SF 7.0

There are no vocals on these samples.  I'll save that for another time.  I noticed the AT's ran about 5db hotter than the naks.  I tried to compensate for that on the v3.  I  also used very slight gain adjustments in SF to try to get them as close as possible.

AT Sample:
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=E2EAD75C1637BCCA

Nak Sample:
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=DC425B7C68C91F8F



Anyone know the artist?

edit- I can update the links as needed.  I don't have any way to host these files

[audBall]

Audball... record Tom Waits when he tours

Is he coming to carolina?

[aberg]

Hey man, great comp... I think I definitely prefer the Nak source... it really pulls you in more... the guitar and keys are more up front in the mix with the bass nice and prominent.... not that the AT sounds bad, but it's just a little less detailed... more bland I guess you could say. This really makes me hungry for some Naks.

[bdasilva]

Horus... I need pictures of your naks... How do they hold the wire at the capsule end??

Oh and tom Waits

Iconoclast and reclusive touring artist TOM WAITS is making an unprecedented move by taking his always unpredictably stunning live show on the road, mostly in cities (Atlanta, Memphis, Louisville, Nashville) where he hasn't been seen on stage since the mid-to-late '70s. As for Asheville, NC, Tom has never played a gig; he hasn't performed in Akron, OH or Detroit since the '80s. The most recent stop on this extraordinary tour is Chicago, where Waits played the Chicago Theater for three sold out nights on his "Mule Variations" tour in '99.

"We need to go to Tennessee to pick up some fireworks, and someone owes me money in Kentucky," says Waits about why he's chosen this particular time and route to tour.

When this two-time Grammy-winner last performed live in 2004, tickets sold out in hours, if not minutes. His most recent live date in London sold out in 30 minutes, with over 150,000 ticket requests received within the first hour. Waits' three previous North American concerts (two in Vancouver, Canada and one in Seattle) were also snapped up in record time.

"His concert was a nostalgic trip through freak shows, murder ballads, and ruminations on lost love," wrote Charles R. Cross in Rolling Stone after
2004 performance at Seattle's Paramount Theater. "He didn't so much sing these songs as he wheezed, whistled, and shouted them, shaking his fist like a craps player on a roll. Mining his recent Real Gone.Waits created a world of haunting characters adrift in a bygone age."

In other news, Paste magazine has just issued its collector's edition citing the "100 Best Living Songwriters," with Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan (longtime co-writer, co-producer and wife) clocking in at #4. According to Paste, "In literature, only a handful of writers have pulled off the near impossible. In music, it happens on every Tom Waits recording."

Look for local ads in the regional papers for on sale dates. The first show in Atlanta goes on sale July 8.

Tour dates are as follows:

DATE CITY/STATE VENUE

Tues, Aug 1 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle

Wed, Aug 2 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Fri, Aug 4 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre

Sat, Aug 5 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium

Mon, Aug 7 Louisville, KY Palace Theatre

Wed, Aug 9 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre

Fri, Aug 11 Detroit, MI Opera House

Sun, Aug 13 Akron, OH Akron Civic

[Chuck]

I can't find the photo's /steps needed to do this modification. I looked in the Archive section under microphones.
Is there a "tutorial" of sorts on doing ther active/ phantom power mod?

[Patrick]

I can't find the photo's /steps needed to do this modification. I looked in the Archive section under microphones.
Is there a "tutorial" of sorts on doing ther active/ phantom power mod?

Not really, although peruse the Team Nakamichi board for a wealth of information.  Leegeddy and I had a very long conversation where he answered all of my dumb questions, I'm sure you could find some of the info useful. 

As for pictures, ask and you shall receive...let me know if you need more specific angles or anything...

[Chuck]

Jeez, I'm just not getting it...
So after the mod is done, do you end up with an active/ phantom pair and have the (2) old bodies left over?
So you really have two pairs of microphones?

[aberg]

Jeez, I'm just not getting it...
So after the mod is done, do you end up with an active/ phantom pair and have the (2) old bodies left over?
So you really have two pairs of microphones?

Nope, the leftover "bodies" are useless i think because part of the "bodies" are used for the actives...

[Patrick]

Jeez, I'm just not getting it...
So after the mod is done, do you end up with an active/ phantom pair and have the (2) old bodies left over?
So you really have two pairs of microphones?

There are three parts to a stock cm300.  

1) A Capsule (cp1,2,3 or 4)
2) An Attenuator Barrel.  The capsule is screwed into the top of the barrel, and the bottom of the barrel is screwed into the...
3) Body.  All this really does is hold the required battery in place.  No electronics besides for the on/off/lo cut switch.

The mod eliminates the need for the battery body.  The cable on the actives exits out of the back of the attenuator housing.  It is held tight using zip ties on either side to keep it secure.

So yes, I now have my actives, and I have the bodies left over.  I use the bodies for the cp4 (shotgun) capsules, which is a whole different story.

Let me know if this makes no sense.

[Patrick]

here's  a picture of what i was talking about....you lose the third part, keep the first two.

also, check this link out as well: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=27307.0

[Chuck]

OK, that makes sense... So the upper part of the main body is part of the active set-up...
I see it now  

Maybe a handy person could make a whole other microphone out of that left over body...

Why am I obsessed with these things?   Maybe all the Nak300 Grateful Dead recordings I used to have? I dunno...

[Chuck]

OK, that makes sense... So the upper part of the main body is part of the active set-up...
I see it now  

Maybe a handy person could make a whole other microphone out of that left over body...

Why am I obsessed with these things?   Maybe all the Nak300 Grateful Dead recordings I used to have? I dunno...

Thank you very much Patrick... +T guys...

[Chuck]

OK, now more questions...
It looks like the rest of the body is there just to hold the 9v battery.
Is it possible to just build a simple voltage step-down circuit into the part with the vents. Say, using a 9v DC zener diode or another regulation circuit? Zener might introduce noise... Then you wouldn't need the Samson P4 right? This would be very cheap and seemingly simple to do.

[poorlyconditioned]

OK, now more questions...
It looks like the rest of the body is there just to hold the 9v battery.
Is it possible to just build a simple voltage step-down circuit into the part with the vents. Say, using a 9v DC zener diode or another regulation circuit? Zener might introduce noise... Then you wouldn't need the Samson P4 right? This would be very cheap and seemingly simple to do.

The simplest circuit is just use the (electret) capsule with a 9v battery box!  That is what I've done.  Rewire the capsule + FET so three wires are sticking out and wire it according to the three wire circuit I posted earlier.  Or, put  a 4.7k resistor between source and ground and run it with a standard battery box.

The only reason to use "phantom adapters" is when you need to run off 48V phantom power.  Or, when it is more convenient not to have an extra battery box hanging around (eg., for permanent installation in a club).

  Richard

[Chuck]

OK, now more questions...
It looks like the rest of the body is there just to hold the 9v battery.
Is it possible to just build a simple voltage step-down circuit into the part with the vents. Say, using a 9v DC zener diode or another regulation circuit? Zener might introduce noise... Then you wouldn't need the Samson P4 right? This would be very cheap and seemingly simple to do.

The simplest circuit is just use the (electret) capsule with a 9v battery box!  That is what I've done.  Rewire the capsule + FET so three wires are sticking out and wire it according to the three wire circuit I posted earlier.  Or, put  a 4.7k resistor between source and ground and run it with a standard battery box.

The only reason to use "phantom adapters" is when you need to run off 48V phantom power.  Or, when it is more convenient not to have an extra battery box hanging around (eg., for permanent installation in a club).

  Richard

Yeah, Richard, I was just thinking about using phantom power. I saw a post where leegeddy talked about how simple it was to do the phantom power mod, but he didn't mention the details... Anyway... I really need to get my hands on a pair of these to tinker with. Are those electret capsules still manufactured?

[aberg]

OK, now more questions...
It looks like the rest of the body is there just to hold the 9v battery.
Is it possible to just build a simple voltage step-down circuit into the part with the vents. Say, using a 9v DC zener diode or another regulation circuit? Zener might introduce noise... Then you wouldn't need the Samson P4 right? This would be very cheap and seemingly simple to do.

The simplest circuit is just use the (electret) capsule with a 9v battery box!  That is what I've done.  Rewire the capsule + FET so three wires are sticking out and wire it according to the three wire circuit I posted earlier.  Or, put  a 4.7k resistor between source and ground and run it with a standard battery box.

The only reason to use "phantom adapters" is when you need to run off 48V phantom power.  Or, when it is more convenient not to have an extra battery box hanging around (eg., for permanent installation in a club).

  Richard

Yeah, Richard, I was just thinking about using phantom power. I saw a post where leegeddy talked about how simple it was to do the phantom power mod, but he didn't mention the details... Anyway... I really need to get my hands on a pair of these to tinker with. Are those electret capsules still manufactured?

Yup, primo still makes them... $50 apeice I think. raoulduke had a link that i've since lost...

[Chuck]

I bet there are some transitor buffers in the vented piece? That makes it pretty slick, to be able to screw the capsules onto that piece. Is the reason most guys have to use the Samson phantom power adaptors because of the type of connector (mini-XLR) that is used in the active cable itself.  I assume the Samson unit just steps the 48v down to 9v and has the matching connector which makes everything nice and neat?

[poorlyconditioned]

I bet there are some transitor buffers in the vented piece? That makes it pretty slick, to be able to screw the capsules onto that piece. Is the reason most guys have to use the Samson phantom power adaptors because of the type of connector (mini-XLR) that is used in the active cable itself.  I assume the Samson unit just steps the 48v down to 9v and has the matching connector which makes everything nice and neat?

The vented place has one transistor only (the FET).  The body has a resistor and a transformer (I think).  Anyway, get rid of the body, and treat the vented part as "electret plus FET", the same as any other mic (AT853, DPA406x, etc).

The reason for the AT or Samson adapter is just to run on phantom voltage.  If you want battery power, skip the adapter and run directly as I said above...

  Richard

[Chuck]

I bet there are some transitor buffers in the vented piece? That makes it pretty slick, to be able to screw the capsules onto that piece. Is the reason most guys have to use the Samson phantom power adaptors because of the type of connector (mini-XLR) that is used in the active cable itself.  I assume the Samson unit just steps the 48v down to 9v and has the matching connector which makes everything nice and neat?

The vented place has one transistor only (the FET).  The body has a resistor and a transformer (I think).  Anyway, get rid of the body, and treat the vented part as "electret plus FET", the same as any other mic (AT853, DPA406x, etc).

The reason for the AT or Samson adapter is just to run on phantom voltage.  If you want battery power, skip the adapter and run directly as I said above...

  Richard

Yeah, I just looked at the Samson PM4 paperwork at the Samson site. There is an impedence matching transformer in there. I think you could do the same thing, much cleaner, using op-amps instead of a cheap transformer. Thanks for the info Richard... + another T in 12...

[Chuck]

Yup, that's why Marc's mod was so cheap. He just re-wired it, removing the transformer and the switches. The real cost is in the that AT or Samson phantom power module.

[poorlyconditioned]

I bet there are some transitor buffers in the vented piece? That makes it pretty slick, to be able to screw the capsules onto that piece. Is the reason most guys have to use the Samson phantom power adaptors because of the type of connector (mini-XLR) that is used in the active cable itself.  I assume the Samson unit just steps the 48v down to 9v and has the matching connector which makes everything nice and neat?

The vented place has one transistor only (the FET).  The body has a resistor and a transformer (I think).  Anyway, get rid of the body, and treat the vented part as "electret plus FET", the same as any other mic (AT853, DPA406x, etc).

The reason for the AT or Samson adapter is just to run on phantom voltage.  If you want battery power, skip the adapter and run directly as I said above...

  Richard

richard, if I understand correctly, nak 30x > 3 wire wiring > 9v battery box should sound exactly the same as nak 30x > samson pm4 / at8533 ?

is being powered with 9v of phantom power supply a "different power" than 9v from a battery box? 

They are *almost* the same.

For short wire runs and high impedance mic inputs they are identical.  For longer runs, the AT/Samson adapters provide "buffering" or strengthening of the signal (via a transistor driving an output transformer).  This provides a balanced and low impedance output.  Balanced is good for long runs (>50' or so) and low impedance means you can drive any kind of input.  Notably, you could put a step up tranformer there and drive a line input!

But for most of us, running a short five or ten foot cable into a preamp, the battery box is fine.  In fact, one may argue that removing the extra components, the transformer in particular, makes it sound better.  My experience is that the AT adapters are pretty good though.  I have not tried the Samson ones.

  Richard

[Chuck]

I bet there are some transitor buffers in the vented piece? That makes it pretty slick, to be able to screw the capsules onto that piece. Is the reason most guys have to use the Samson phantom power adaptors because of the type of connector (mini-XLR) that is used in the active cable itself.  I assume the Samson unit just steps the 48v down to 9v and has the matching connector which makes everything nice and neat?

The vented place has one transistor only (the FET).  The body has a resistor and a transformer (I think).  Anyway, get rid of the body, and treat the vented part as "electret plus FET", the same as any other mic (AT853, DPA406x, etc).

The reason for the AT or Samson adapter is just to run on phantom voltage.  If you want battery power, skip the adapter and run directly as I said above...

  Richard

I would think that the venting in the vented piece imparts some acoustical properties? I can see how a guy could make his own brand of microphones using the Primo caps and a simple battery box circuit. What Chris Church is doing with those mic elements he uses. Like you said Richard, you could make a little pre-amp type circuit (you mentioned transformer based) and run them line in. Hmmm... now the Nak300's are finally de-mystiffied for me... Thanks for the excellent exchange of information here, today, guys.

[Patrick]

I snapped these pictures earlier before the thread kinda took off, so this is probably beating a dead horse, but I might as well post them anyways.

You begin with this, a stock nak cm300:


The microphone can be broken up into three parts, the cap, the attenuator barrel, and the battery body housing:



The active modification turns this microphone into this, basically:





By the way, the cp4 shotgun capsule is screwed directly into the battery body, skipping the atenuator housing altogether:



the shotgun:



And finally, only a part of my Nakamichi sluttage (my other mics are in my car, not around right now):


 

[audBall]

Nice bag! How sturdy is it?  Do you ever use it in the field?

[Patrick]

Nice bag! How sturdy is it?  Do you ever use it in the field?

Never!  It's pretty sturdy, the zipper is kinda finicky (sp?) so I don't really use it in the field, or use it for much, actually.  Right now it's storing my extra RCA cables, shockmounts, old mini disc deck, and a bunch of other random electronic stuff.  It's just really cool to have, I think!

[audBall]

Nice bag! How sturdy is it?  Do you ever use it in the field?

Never!  It's pretty sturdy, the zipper is kinda finicky (sp?) so I don't really use it in the field, or use it for much, actually.  Right now it's storing my extra RCA cables, shockmounts, old mini disc deck, and a bunch of other random electronic stuff.  It's just really cool to have, I think!

Is the bag form-fitted for the black mic boxes?

[Patrick]

Nice bag! How sturdy is it?  Do you ever use it in the field?

Never!  It's pretty sturdy, the zipper is kinda finicky (sp?) so I don't really use it in the field, or use it for much, actually.  Right now it's storing my extra RCA cables, shockmounts, old mini disc deck, and a bunch of other random electronic stuff.  It's just really cool to have, I think!

Is the bag form-fitted for the black mic boxes?

That's what I am thinking...the black box (for the trio of cm300's) fits perfectly in there. 

[ts]

Nice bag! How sturdy is it?  Do you ever use it in the field?

Never!  It's pretty sturdy, the zipper is kinda finicky (sp?) so I don't really use it in the field, or use it for much, actually.  Right now it's storing my extra RCA cables, shockmounts, old mini disc deck, and a bunch of other random electronic stuff.  It's just really cool to have, I think!

Is the bag form-fitted for the black mic boxes?

That's what I am thinking...the black box (for the trio of cm300's) fits perfectly in there. 
[/quote

Yep, the blue bag came with Nak 300 triple set. If you bought them new ofcourse. I think it held the cables, since the cables did not come in the black box.

[JiB97]

Chicks dig the bag.