Topic: AT853c capsule problem

[dyneq]

Howdy All,

I've got a pair of SP AT853's that originally came with the cardioid caps. Ever since I've been taping, I've noticed that one of the channels will put out more signal than the other. I've gotten used to upping the lower output channel in post, but I decided to take a closer look. I recorded AT853 > PCM-M10 PIP from the sweet spot in my 6.1 HT about 20 secs of music with the mics mounted about 1 inch apart pointing at the center channel. I normalized it and then ran statistics. Then I switched the caps on the bodies and did the same thing. Then I did it with my subcards and omni caps (stats attached as txt files). I can post the other flacs if it's helpful for the analysis.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/81226312/at853card.flac (First pull with the cardioid caps)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/81226312/at853cardswitch.flac (Second pull with the caps switched, but everything else the same)

Is the difference I'm seeing most likely from mis-matched capsules? After switching the caps, the RMS values are essentially reversed. The subcards had a smaller difference and the omnis are almost exactly the same. Since the omnis are so close, I'm pretty sure that the bodies/wiring are fine. I have also seen this behavior on other recorders, so I'm also confident that it's not that part of the chain.

Otherwise, is there anything I can do to the caps to improve things? They are from the late 90s and have traveled far and wide, so is it possible that there is something lodged in the capsule? Is it possible to safely take the cap apart and clean, etc?

Thanks for any ideas/insights. I don't mind fixing things in post, but it would be nice to not have to 

John

[beatkilla]

My AT853s card and subcards are like you mentioned.They dont come with matched capsules like core sound an others offer.You have to pay soundpros extra money for that matching i beleive.I feel your pain........

[dyneq]

I guess if I don't want to pay for a matched set I could just run some pink noise into them and come up with a good average difference between my caps. Then, in post, I could just apply that much gain to the lower gain capsule and check the RMS as a check.

[Church-Audio]

I guess if I don't want to pay for a matched set I could just run some pink noise into them and come up with a good average difference between my caps. Then, in post, I could just apply that much gain to the lower gain capsule and check the RMS as a check.

You can send them to me I can give you an exact number for each capsule. I wont charge you just pay for return shipping.