Author Topic: Superlux S502 (Read 8152 times)

bdasilva · « **on:** May 08, 2014, 03:21:01 AM »

The more I use it... The more I love it... Best 200$ I spent in taping.

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2014, 08:36:47 AM »

Agreed.
It's not bad at all. I've pulled some great recordings with mine.
I think w/a colored preamp "taming" the mic a bit...it shines.
can't wait to try mine w/the MME I just acquired. I'm thinking that might be the ideal mate.

waltmon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2014, 02:31:26 PM »

Ive been eyeballin' that puppy...heard some good reports. I saw there are some upgrade mods emerging as well.

waltmon · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2014, 05:30:07 PM »

would 1 of y'all mind posting ofof the mic mounted on the mic stand I'd really appreciate it

waltmon · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2014, 11:27:07 PM »

Just ordered mine!

jefflester · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2014, 06:52:12 PM »

Quote from: waltmon on May 09, 2014, 05:30:07 PM

would 1 of y'all mind posting ofof the mic mounted on the mic stand I'd really appreciate it

several here:
http://fr.audiofanzine.com/microphone-statique-transistor/superlux/s502/forums/t.441390,superlux-s502,p.11.html

waltmon · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2014, 08:10:53 PM »

Spoke to Chris Johnson and he is gonna modify my s502...will fo mt best to post some before and after samples...stoked!

DeadGreg · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2014, 10:27:42 PM »

Quote from: waltmon on May 12, 2014, 08:10:53 PM

Spoke to Chris Johnson and he is gonna modify my s502...will fo mt best to post some before and after samples...stoked!

What are the modifications?

Greg

waltmon · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2014, 09:24:36 AM »

My understanding is that the S502 is a Chinese knock off of the Schoeps ORTF mic. The microphone has decent capsules, but the other components pretty low quality. Typically with these upgrades...they will upgrade all of the other electronics which generally reduces noise, tighens up the bass etc.

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2014, 06:19:52 PM »

which def. come through as thin and brassy sounding characteristics. I can see cheap elements on the board in there being to blame. I've taken it apart, its not a tightly packed PCB in terms of real-estate. which I would think make it easy to work on.

Busman Audio · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2014, 06:40:37 PM »

I will have one here to mod by the end of the week. Looking at the circuit board pics this should be a quick fix for me. I'll let you guys know. I will do some before and after recordings.

It was way too cheap not to try it out.

DeadGreg · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2014, 08:52:26 PM »

Quote from: Busman Audio on May 13, 2014, 06:40:37 PM

I will have one here to mod by the end of the week. Looking at the circuit board pics this should be a quick fix for me. I'll let you guys know. I will do some before and after recordings.

It was way too cheap not to try it out.

I agree with that assessment about affordability. I couldn't pass them up based on the sample recordings. But I can't wait to hear about your mods to improve it. Have fun playing with them!

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2014, 08:32:58 AM »

yea man..., you offer a MOD for this and I'll be shipping mine to you ASAP.

waltmon · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2014, 10:15:23 AM »

I mentioned to Chris that Ive read complaints on several forums about the 5 pin XLR connector being loose. Reported crackling if call moves. Hes gonna check that out as well.

bdasilva · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2014, 06:54:35 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on May 14, 2014, 08:32:58 AM

yea man..., you offer a MOD for this and I'll be shipping mine to you ASAP.

Buy enough parts for a few...

ArchivalAudio · « **Reply #15 on:** May 15, 2014, 12:03:58 AM »

Quote from: Busman Audio on May 13, 2014, 06:40:37 PM

I will have one here to mod by the end of the week. Looking at the circuit board pics this should be a quick fix for me. I'll let you guys know. I will do some before and after recordings.

It was way too cheap not to try it out.

Chris,

see this
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=143781.0 also photos on gear slutz...

I think this is a great mic to mod

--Ian

waltmon · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2014, 04:29:11 PM »

Mine was delivered today...broken

That being said...8th Street Music called Superlux distributer and apparently there will be no new stock available til the end of June. I am mailing my mic to Superlux distributer to see if the body can be replaced. One of the capsules was snapped off and dangling by wire.

ArchivalAudio · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2014, 11:19:12 PM »

Quote from: waltmon on May 21, 2014, 04:29:11 PM

Mine was delivered today...broken

That being said...8th Street Music called Superlux distributer and apparently there will be no new stock available til the end of June. I am mailing my mic to Superlux distributer to see if the body can be replaced. One of the capsules was snapped off and dangling by wire.

oh man that sucks! I hope that they can fix the issue. - super crappy that a new mic comes damaged in shipping. Obviously they need to pack it with more padding and in a bigger box ~ or something.

Sorry to hear this.
Good luck and when it is functional ~ Have fun!

waltmon · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2014, 10:45:34 AM »

I cant decide whether to get a refund and order a new one when they are in stock or just fix this one...It was a pretty good jolt to break the capsule clean off. The mic is delivered in a padded case. It looks like it was broken and put back in the case.

Massive Dynamic · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2014, 11:07:41 AM »

Reseller Ratings of 8th Street Music. Good luck.

waltmon · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2014, 05:23:55 PM »

Thanks...yeah I went the refund route. That thing had to get dropped or jacked pretty good to break the capsule clean off. Build quality is pretty solid.

bluewingolive · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2014, 09:20:56 PM »

Quote from: waltmon on May 22, 2014, 05:23:55 PM

Thanks...yeah I went the refund route. That thing had to get dropped or jacked pretty good to break the capsule clean off. Build quality is pretty solid.

Man, sorry to hear of your experience. I have had great experiences with the S502. It's a knockoff no doubt, but delivers just fine. Mine was delivered in case from 8th St. No issues fwiw. I had Teddy make up a 5 pin to (2) 3 pin. Very pleased.

bdasilva · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2014, 10:49:01 PM »

There is No Way that broke in the case.. Too Padded

waltmon · « **Reply #23 on:** May 23, 2014, 10:16:05 AM »

Agreed....it had to be dropped broken and replaced in the case...you could see the impressions in the foam where it was just stock in there sloppily..the broken cap was off to the side. I was all stoked when I open the case I was like you are friggin kidding me..

Just found a supplier via ebay has 5 new available. Link posted in Ebay column of TS page.

waltmon · « **Reply #24 on:** May 23, 2014, 12:16:04 PM »

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161119256245?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Link to S-502 sale

EV676 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:56:06 PM »

I'm a forum lurker. But I noticed this thread and would like to comment.

I have had the Superlux S502 for a couple of years, mine came from "Audio Hipster" in Georgia. Since I do TV sound and post production I figured it might be handy to have. I had an outdoor shoot two weeks ago on top of a Dallas hotel, the video to be used on July 4. It's a brass quintet playing the "Stars and Stripes Forever" I have a pretty good arsenal of microphones but decided to keep it simple and use the S502 for the mains. (A french horn was also on a spot mic). The track is a composite of 4 takes for TV, i was looking for minimal wind noise and fewest mistakes. The video guys edited to my composite of the takes.

I recorded on the Tascam 680, and posted in Pro Tools Omni HD, EQ was used due to the wind noise and I added a little Sonnox reverb for sparkle. There's some "glue" in there from Isotope Ozone 5. The S502 was on a low stand (TV guys hate to see microphones you know) and I was able to mod some windscreens to fit the capsules.

Also, none of my gear is "modded."

Here's the Soundcloud link. https://soundcloud.com/doubleyou26/superlux-s502-mic-demo
Thanks!

Wally

Chuck · « **Reply #26 on:** June 03, 2014, 01:29:49 PM »

Nice. You'd think recording brass with a cheap stereo mic would be a horrible mistake. Especially since cheap mics can often have nasty peaks in the high end. But, the recording is fine. Thanks for sharing. But, I'd love to hear how your KM84's would have recorded the same source.

EV676 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 03, 2014, 02:30:40 PM »

Chuck,

Yeah, in a controlled environment the KM84s would have been ideal and probably my first choice. But we were outdoors and it was windy where we were shooting. No way I'm using 84s for that.