Topic: Michael Joly modded MXL 603

[flicflac]

I'm interested in hearing what the local resident experts have to say about this Michael Joly modded microphone.
This should be interesting.

http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_30&products_id=194

[SmokinJoe]

I've been curious too, I just didn't want to be the guinea pig.  Mics are generally designed for studio or on stage work... most small diaphragm condensers are prized for their ability to be used for drum overheads etc.  It's hard to know if they will sound sweet taping a concert at a distance.  For instance I had Earthworks, which are fantastic mics for overheads, probably as good as anything out there, but using them for recording concerts at a distance, that's not what they were made for, and they can sound thin.  Sometimes it's hard to predict, and you won't know until you try it.

It's nice if *someone* would take a chance on the unknown stuff on occasion, but if you want something you know will work, stick to something that many people have used.  There are plenty of Busman, Peluso and AKG tapes on the archive so you know to some extent what you are getting.

[acidjack]

I don't think there's any problem with the product, but the cost is $479 more than the unmodified pair which gets the package close to some stiff competition.  I'd be thinking a used pair of KSM141s . . . the cardioid-only KSM137 is the same price new, but that omni setting on the 141 is schweet and you don't have to worry about swapping caps.

In modworld you should also give this serious thought:

http://samaraudiodesign.com/CondensorMicMods.html

Whoa.. a mod that can make the C1000S sound good?  This I gotta hear..

[cybergaloot]

I thought about this as well since I have a pair of MXL 603s. Right now they are living as a pair of drum overheads. I used them a couple of times as recording mics and they weren't all that bad for the money.

[notlance]

I own 4 of the Joly modded MXL 603 mics, as well as the Busman SDC and several more SDC mics, so I have some experience with the Joly  mods.

There are 3 problems with the unmodded 603s, at least the 4 I own:

1) Poor frequency response matching between mics.
2) Bass roll-off of about 2 dB/octave below about 300 Hz, unless you get lucky.
3) An emphasis of about 4 dB centered at about 6 kHz; every mic seems to have this.

The Joly mod shifts the 6 kHz bump to above 10 kHz, and reduces the level to about 3 dB.  That does improve the sound of the mic in my opinion.  So the Joly mod “fixes” the third problem, but leaves the other two unchanged.

The 603s frequency response varies quite a bit from mic to mic, regardless of whether or not they have been modded.  This is a hallmark of cheap Chinese mics like the 603; it’s called poor quality control.  I suspect they ship every mic that passes a signal.  Sometimes you get a good mic, sometimes not.  So I now have 4 mics of 4 different “flavors”, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on how you look at it.  I’ve color coded my mics so I can keep the “flavors” straight.  My “green” mic is really quite nice; the others give me more flavors to work with.

The Busman SDCs are much better matched to each other, so they work better as a stereo pair.  However, the Busman mics have that 6 kHz bump like the unmodded 603s, so in general I prefer the sound of the Joly modded 603s over the sound of the Busman SDC.

So how do the Joly modded 603s compare to other SDCs?  I own a pair of Beyerdynamic MC930 and I prefer the sound of the Beyers over any one of my modded 603s, and the Beyers are very well matched.  Of course, the Beyers are more expensive.  I also own a pair of Audio Technica AT4051a, and it’s kinda a tossup between them and the Joly mod 603s.  The ATs are a bit bright, but are smoother with a better low end, and they are better matched.  My best modded 603 is probably a bit better sounding than a 4051a, at least to my ears, but I don’t have 2 modded 603s that sound as good.

So, bottom line, is the Joly 603 mod worth it?  Yes, if you’re lucky enough to have a good 603 to begin with, the Joly mod will improve it enough to get you a really nice mic.  If you start with a dud 603, the mod will not turn it into a KM 184.  GIGO.

[flicflac]

I thank everyone for their input.
@ John - I nearly had a mint set of the KSM141s on ebay today, but the bidding got out of control..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shure-KSM-141-Condenser-Microphone-Stereo-Pair-/251000923099?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a70d223db

[cybergaloot]

If anyone is interested, Hello Music is selling a pair of MXL 603's with mounts for $120. http://www.hellomusic.com/ec/DealMain.aspx?did=13568&cat=PROMO2