Topic: Sony Stereo Mic Repair

[Life In Rewind]

Took a chance on a cheap deal on a "as-is" Sony ECM-MS5 Mid Side mic.

This was one of Sony's top models - runs on phantom.

The mic works as-advertised. It works - but has intermittent static clicking, popping.

The signal sounds good - and as it should - both channels work - just peppered with noise.

Another clue perhaps - when you adjust the angle selector switch - there is a decided pop at each increment.

I'm using a different cable than the fellow who sold it to me - and it behaves the same way - so, safe to eliminate the cable. (XLR5 > L/R XLR)

Any conjecture before I begin dissection?

So far - the top doesn't seem to twist off - (with modest force) - so I'll have to go in at the jack end.

Pics to follow - thanks for any guidance.

[dyneq]

It could be dirty along the signal path. You could try disassembling it and use >90% alcohol or Caig cleaner on all electrical connections, including the switch. If the switch is sealed, you can drill a small hole in to the housing to put some cleaner inside, then work the switch back and forth.

[Church-Audio]

do not drill a hole in a sealed switch..... where will the debris go? Um inside the switch. It sounds like a bad capsule. I would ask Sony if they are fixing old mics like this my guess is they are not. I can take a look at it. You need to be able to measure the capacitance of the capsules if they are the variety with external fets not internal fets. this may be above your head if you want someone to take a look at it I would do that for free. Just out of curiosity to see how they built the mic.

[Life In Rewind]

Well - first stumbling block.

Those tiny Phillips head screws that hold the switch are smaller than any driver I have in my kit.

[Church-Audio]

Well - first stumbling block.

Those tiny Phillips head screws that hold the switch are smaller than any driver I have in my kit.

that is always the way it goes!! lol there are usually good kits at electronic stores. I really doubt this is going to be a switch issue. But I apve been wrong before just make sure that the capsules are nowhere near and I mean feet away from any contact cleaner you use. Also make sure its zero residue. Deoxit make lots of good products but they all leave a protectant residue. That's good for contacts but not good for capsules! Try zero residue stuff first like caig labritories stuff.

[carlbeck]

I just wanted to say that is a bad ass little mic, I've never seen it before but Sony made some great stuff back in the day. Good luck!

[DSatz]

Sony publishes service manuals for everything they make, whether consumer or pro. These manuals show how to disassemble the unit and give circuit diagrams, board layouts, part numbers--the works. Sometimes they show procedures for testing and troubleshooting the unit. Highly recommended.

[TSNéa]

Waiting for some news about this mic!
How good is it eventually, if you got it repaired? How does it compare to Shure VP-88 if you (or anybody else here in TS) could do this comp?

I know one of the main differences (to me) is that the Shure outputs M/S and L+R, whereas the Sony does only L+R (with differents settings), but what about the sound? Someone on gearslutz wrote "the Sony sounded thin and nasal compared to the VP-88's richer, flatter sound. " Is this just an opinion or a large consensus? I think mainly for ambient sounds, landscapes, mainly without music (no shows).

Thanks in advance!

[mnm207]

Sorry to revive this necro-thread. My ECM-MS5 mic has started to produce some static on the side channel. Professional service doesn't make sense from a cost/value standpoint so I am going to attempt a repair myself. (Worst case: I get to buy a replacement mic.) Does anyone have the service manual for this mic by any chance? Or some thoughts on how to diagnose potential causes of the issue? Different cables produce different amounts of static, though the connector appears to be good. Different pre-amps produce different amounts of static. On partial disassembly I don't see any obvious damage or bad capacitors, though I can't access the board without desoldering the XLR connector so visual inspection is limited. Before I disassemble further, any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[dyneq]

Quite the necrobump, I hope OP didn't send it to the Church Audio black hole.

I can't find the service manual online. Have you attempted to request it from Sony already?

If you're not going to send it in to Sony, you could try to find a local shop/expert. Otherwise, I would attempt to disassemble and clean all signal paths while it's open. Use good quality tools and chemicals. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[mnm207]

I did reach out to Sony. The parts department said no service manual was available due to the mic’s age and being long discontinued. I also reached out to the service center in Paramus; I assume I’ll get the same answer but will be pleasantly surprised if they dig up a PDF.

Based on Gotham Sound’s repair fee schedule, I can’t see repair being economical vs simply replacing. My plan is to self-service, hoping it’s something simple, visibly obvious, and requiring minimal disassembly but expecting that I’ll likely be replacing it.

[rocksuitcase]

I did reach out to Sony. The parts department said no service manual was available due to the mic’s age and being long discontinued. I also reached out to the service center in Paramus; I assume I’ll get the same answer but will be pleasantly surprised if they dig up a PDF.

Based on Gotham Sound’s repair fee schedule, I can’t see repair being economical vs simply replacing. My plan is to self-service, hoping it’s something simple, visibly obvious, and requiring minimal disassembly but expecting that I’ll likely be replacing it.

Hi-Fi Engine?

[mnm207]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Seems to have been a simple issue, easily solved.

Before unsoldering the XLR connector to fully disassemble, I thought I'd double check it wasn't a loose grounding connection. Everything had seemed tight when I partially disassembled, but this seemed like the lowest of low hanging fruit. So I cleaned the various contact points on the mic body including where a ribbon from the PCB press fits against it and reassembled the mic paying close attention to tighten all the screws down well (one holding the capsule chassis to the PCB was noticeably loose). Plugged it in, turned on phantom and no buzzing, no static.

Would still like a copy of the service manual if anyone happens to come across this thread in a year or two or eleven...

[dyneq]

Good news, thank you for sharing the solution here.