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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: igene on September 09, 2010, 09:52:51 AM

Title: I need a little help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: igene on September 09, 2010, 09:52:51 AM
So I have an old pair of 700's and want to do the franken-mod myself.

body -
Got it all apart and add a mini xlr to the back, and have it looking good.

wiring -
The pos.(+) is obvious > (RED) wire.
I'm not not sure if the contact to the mic body is neg or ground.
yes, I'm aware that neg and ground serve the same purpose, but on the 2 schematics it shows separate solder points.
I need to identify the other 2 points so I can solder wires to them and the xlr.

are they the same or different ?  the 2nd drawing shows points on either side of a "transformer" ?

I attached the schematics I found here on TS and photos of my mics open.

(I also want to make sure I'm going about this the right way).

I still need to cut down the plastic sleeve to accommodate the back of the xlr...

please help !!!


schematics I found >

(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/nakbox.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/nakcm700-15dbattenuator.jpg)

open 700 >
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/15.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/13.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/14.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/16.jpg)


mini xlr on the back >

(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/003.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/002.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/004.jpg)

real nice full body comparison (added 9/10) >

(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z48/igene_01/recording/100_1506.jpg)


Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: jbell on September 09, 2010, 10:38:30 AM
I know these are wired differently then the CM300's.  You might want to contact Jon Naiant, he posted something in the Team Nakamichi thread about this. 
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: ts on September 09, 2010, 01:21:31 PM
My 700's are hardwired >:(. How did you get that mini xlr inside the housing? I think the old original mods used a bnc?
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: ArchivalAudio on September 09, 2010, 01:34:10 PM
I was gonna say check in on the team boards with team Nakamichi
a couple of folks there would certainly be helpful
looks great
I'd love a pair of Cm 700's
good luck
--Ian
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: igene on September 09, 2010, 04:34:25 PM
My 700's are hardwired >:(. How did you get that mini xlr inside the housing? I think the old original mods used a bnc?


I tapped it out .
It was a real bitch, but worth it.
They look like they were meant to be that way.
I'm real happy with the final results.
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: audBall on September 09, 2010, 04:46:41 PM
You re-threaded that thin-walled barrel?!  I'd love to have the detachable setup on mine.  That looks quite 'phisticated. 
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: igene on September 09, 2010, 08:48:40 PM
I'll post a shot of the thread job when I get home to the mics.

keepin' it under my hat for now.

thanks for the compliment.
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: ts on September 10, 2010, 01:11:56 PM
You re-threaded that thin-walled barrel?!  I'd love to have the detachable setup on mine.  That looks quite 'phisticated.

Hi Horus, I wish I could have it that way. Would love to be able to remove the cables. I know Chris Church did a similar mod on the 300's with a mini xlr. Much more room to work with. And the original 700 mod with the batt box used a BNC connector with a machined fitting, or something like that. Your'e right on those thin walls. Would love to see how this was done. igene, would you like some xtra work. :)
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: igene on September 10, 2010, 02:59:15 PM
You re-threaded that thin-walled barrel?!  I'd love to have the detachable setup on mine.  That looks quite 'phisticated.

Hi Horus, I wish I could have it that way. Would love to be able to remove the cables. I know Chris Church did a similar mod on the 300's with a mini xlr. Much more room to work with. And the original 700 mod with the batt box used a BNC connector with a machined fitting, or something like that. Your'e right on those thin walls. Would love to see how this was done. igene, would you like some xtra work. :)

OK.
I wouldn't mind doing it.

It takes 2 full hours (1 hour per mic) to take apart the mics, tap and mod, install mini xlr's and solder back up the wires and put it back together.
  I need to get some more mini xlr panel connectors.
So I'd say $50. labor, plus parts ($10.) plus shipping back.($5./USPS priority) = $65. (a few $'s more on the shipping if you want insurance)
mini xlr's are gold plated neutrik connectors.
 I could also add mini xlr female connectors on the wires - depending on how thick the wires are.
otherwise you'll need thinner cable that would fit the connector.

or I could do a stepped down connection, where I strip the sheathing back right near the connector and just get the wires into the connector...then reinforce the connection and shrink tube it to finish it.
that takes more time.

sorry I wrote so much, but there are some variables to consider...

let me know if that works for you.

who's Horus ?


Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: Roger Gustavsson on September 10, 2010, 03:27:26 PM
igene,

Very nice mechnical work! Wish I could find someone that could re-thread my CM-300 bodies.

The schematic is simular to the CM-300. As you have a three pin connector, you can wire it like this:

(http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/cm700wiring.GIF)

I am not sure about the pad, it is different from the CM-300. Normally it is only a capacitor switched-in across the capsule connections (from output to ground/body).


Roger
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: audBall on September 10, 2010, 05:13:10 PM
ts was referring to me, igene.  That's my name.

I'll have to keep in mind your offer as it would make a much better storage solution for the mics plus eliminate the risk of having the hardwired cable coming loose. 
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: jbell on September 10, 2010, 07:00:44 PM
igene that's a nice looking set of 700's
Title: Re: I need a lttle help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: igene on September 10, 2010, 10:14:27 PM
Thanks for the help and the compliments.

I sat staring at those 700's for a while...
I had a few different ideas.
most involved machine work that I would have to farm out.

Then I came across my simple solution, using just what I had in front of me.

I don't think I'll let the secret go just yet, but it's permanent - yet non-destructive to the capsule.
Yes - it can be un-done and put back to it's original state.
That's the beauty of it.

I do a lot of thinking, and this is the type of stuff I come up with.

you should see my hybrid mono-pod stealth stand...!
or my stealth rig, or... well - you get the idea.
Title: Re: I need a little help with my Nak700 franken-nak project (please help)
Post by: igene on September 17, 2010, 07:45:23 PM
My thanks to Roger Gustavsson for the most helpful information regarding
the mod and specific info on the nak mics and related circuitry.
:)