Topic: Large vs. Small Diaphragm Condensers

[iphone]

whomever said that LDs are less detailed forgot to mention that this is only from a distance perhaps(?).
Up close, on an instrument or stage lip, they are very detailed....AND throw a big fat soundstage. 

they sound less detailed mainly because of thicker and bigger diagphram. a typical
sd condenser has 3 micron thick diaph. over 16-19 mm capsule,whereas most
ld mics have 6 micron thickness over a 25mm-24mm capsule.

why 3 micron thick ld capsules are not mass produced?

easy answer.because none of the mic manufacture has until this day produced a ld mic(34 mm) with properly tensioned 3 micron diagph capsule.

there is currently one facility on earth,who can deliever high quality tensioning and impeccable hand tuning of the capsule,that is stephen paul audio in california.

working on these low mass and thin tolerances,requires talent.mic building becomes art.

[Craig T]

they sound less detailed mainly because of thicker and bigger diagphram. a typical
sd condenser has 3 micron thick diaph. over 16-19 mm capsule,whereas most
ld mics have 6 micron thickness over a 25mm-24mm capsule.

why 3 micron thick ld capsules are not mass produced?

easy answer.because none of the mic manufacture has until this day produced a ld mic(34 mm) with properly tensioned 3 micron diagph capsule.

The ADK A51TL's use a 3u diaphram.
http://www.adkmic.com/specs/TL.html

[John R]

they sound less detailed mainly because of thicker and bigger diagphram. a typical
sd condenser has 3 micron thick diaph. over 16-19 mm capsule,whereas most
ld mics have 6 micron thickness over a 25mm-24mm capsule.

why 3 micron thick ld capsules are not mass produced?

easy answer.because none of the mic manufacture has until this day produced a ld mic(34 mm) with properly tensioned 3 micron diagph capsule.

The ADK A51TL's use a 3u diaphram.
http://www.adkmic.com/specs/TL.html

good to know that my mics are comparable to stephen paul's

[iphone]

they sound less detailed mainly because of thicker and bigger diagphram. a typical
sd condenser has 3 micron thick diaph. over 16-19 mm capsule,whereas most
ld mics have 6 micron thickness over a 25mm-24mm capsule.

why 3 micron thick ld capsules are not mass produced?

easy answer.because none of the mic manufacture has until this day produced a ld mic(34 mm) with properly tensioned 3 micron diagph capsule.

The ADK A51TL's use a 3u diaphram.
http://www.adkmic.com/specs/TL.html

does not mean it is properly tuned and tensioned.and the size is 27mm not 34mm aka ck12.the new spa mic will be the first properly tensioned and tuned 3 micron ld capsule.

[iphone]

thats what I thought, Craig, thanks.
I thought SP Audio was capable of sub-micron work, at least as fine as a single micron?
where is VA Taper when you need him?

tony is capable of doing 0.6 micron!yes for large diagp.

but it will cost ya.

[John R]

the first

ever?

[iphone]

to  my knowledge yes.maybe va-taper could step in here,as he has a spa product.

[Craig T]

does not mean it is properly tuned and tensioned.and the size is 27mm not 34mm aka ck12.the new spa mic will be the first properly tensioned and tuned 3 micron ld capsule.

saw that coming...  "properly" is a subjective term.  SPA has their reference, others may differ.  I would love to own a SPA mic, and may some day, so its no slam against their claims.

[jk labs]

they sound less detailed mainly because of thicker and bigger diagphram. a typical
sd condenser has 3 micron thick diaph. over 16-19 mm capsule,whereas most
ld mics have 6 micron thickness over a 25mm-24mm capsule.

why 3 micron thick ld capsules are not mass produced?

easy answer.because none of the mic manufacture has until this day produced a ld mic(34 mm) with properly tensioned 3 micron diagph capsule.

there is currently one facility on earth,who can deliever high quality tensioning and impeccable hand tuning of the capsule,that is stephen paul audio in california.

working on these low mass and thin tolerances,requires talent.mic building becomes art.

You got to elaborate on this. 3 micron conductive film is available and used in a number
of large (1" and bigger) condencer microphones. Granted some of them very expensive.

But your statement as it stands begs for a few pointed questions: 
How would you go about proving that all but one maker has full control on the process of diaphragm tensioning?
Heck for that matter, how do you define the term "proper tensioning" without resorting to
religion?

[jk labs]

thats what I thought, Craig, thanks.
I thought SP Audio was capable of sub-micron work, at least as fine as a single micron?
where is VA Taper when you need him?

tony is capable of doing 0.6 micron!yes for large diagp.

but it will cost ya.

And for how long would such a diaphragm stay properly tensioned?
This has been *the* challenge for many many years....  to control (read stop) the aging process.

PS Not trying to be difficult here but I think we deserve to see the facts
when such claims are made.

[John R]

thanks mike, going into my favorites