Topic: Teac ME-80 (Nak clones)

[jagraham]

Thanks for all the help, I've now had success with these. I captured the Stringdusters show on 12/6. I was supposed to record NRPS with them on 11/24 but like an idiot I left my stand at home (first time for that). Luckily I had Church Audio omnis on hand and just ended up doing a head mount and standing close to the stage.

Infamous Stringdusters 12/6:
https://archive.org/details/infamousstringdusters2013-12-06.me80s.cards.16bit
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=568971

CA-11s Omnis(mkII) 5' split(for comparison):
https://archive.org/details/infamousstringdusters2013-12-06.ca11s.omnis.16bit

Paper Bird opener:
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=568972


I've been real curious about something. Anyone know the history or story behind these and the Nakamichi brand? More specifically, why are they "nak clones" and what Nakamichi mics are they based on?

Also, I'm curious as to others experience with other mics in the Teac ME series. For example, the Teac ME-120 and ME-50. Are those also appropriate for music recording or are they vocal mics? I'm wondering if the Teac ME-80 omni and card caps would work with those as well. I could pick one up and have a center omni with stereo cards, or run split omnis with a center single card.

[Hypnocracy]

These were all made at the Primo Factory...but I'm sure the various companies specified slight changes...

There were versions by JVC, Nakamichi, Tascam & Teac similar to the old Nak CM100-CM300...all capsules should be interchangeable...

I don't know much about the CM-50 line

You can still get a NEW Nak Clone from PRIMO in Japan...search the old Team Nakamichi threads...

[runonce]

The ME-50 is something different...cosmetically similar, but a different mic altogether...no interchangeable caps....

The mother of all these mics is the seldom seen Altec 626A - a tad shorter than the other Primos...but other than that same - pre/head...caps swap out...but runs on a watch battery...3V(I think)

I only have 1 Altec...need another! - But I think this is the earliest example of this design.

Some TOA mics were Primo sourced as well...I think.