The AKG Active Project - 2

[raoulduke]

Did anyone ever ask Jon of JKLabs? I read that he has surfaced recently.

Remember though that Jon did not make an active cable for the 480/460 bodies he just make an active cable into his own box.   Big difference.

I'm not sure this is correct, I think raoulduke has an active cable system that connects his caps to his 480 bodies, I know he does not have the same dvc preamp and cable system that I do, and that there are at least two different systems for the 480 series engineered by JK Labs

I think Tim/Raoulduke had/has the jklabs ECMS system for the Gefell caps, not the AKG caps.  I had the JKLabs ECMS system for the AKG ck6x caps, which I sold to Tommy.  The ECMS system -- Extended Capsule Microphone System -- is what Jon at jklabs built for an active mic system.  Active only that is -- the DVC allowed active/remote caps, but the DVC was also a built in mic preamp.  The ECMS system is only an active mic system, no mic preamp functions.  Mine worked off 9v, but others he built were powered from the 48v phantom coming from your mic preamp.

At any rate, the ECMS had the active cables for the caps, but it used a separate box to work as the mic "bodies".  As far as I know though, Jon never made a system to connect "active" AKG caps to the 480 or 460 bodies -- he just had the ECMS system or the DVC system.

the box i own is an "ecms-23" and it performs the same function as the two microphone preamps, aka bodies, that it's replacing in the gear chain.  the ecms series (as well as the dvc boxes) can be used with microtech gefell m2x and akg ck6x caps if utilized with jk labs manufactured active cables and collettes.  factory manufactured neumann akx>lc-3, mbho ka caps>active cables and schoeps collettes caps/cables can be used with the boxes as well, after modifying the cable terminations.

my ecms doesn't utilize a 9v battery for its powering, it needs to be supplied from a 48v phantom powered preamp (just as todd stated); my active cables plug into dual 4 pin inputs and the outputs are male xlr (the same config as the ecms-22).

there are two "non body" offerings from jon that i'm aware of:
   
   1) dvc (direct access from cable to mic-pre)
   
   2) no mic-pre alternatives to the dvc
         2a)  autonoumous 9v powered "ecms" unit with xlr or rca or other output (lee>toddr>tommy) aka the "ecms-22"
         2b)  p48 powered "ecms-23" with xlr outs (nic>myself)

my understanding is that each dvc box has it's own serial number based on build order, so no one person has the same number dvc, i.e dvc1, dvc2, dvc3, etc.  the ecms series of boxes (ecms-22 and ecms-23) is actually the model number so theoretically more than one person could own an ecms-22 or 23.  however, i think jon only built one of each of the ecms boxes and tommy owns the only "22" and i own the only "23". 

here's some pics of various jk labs set ups.  mine were posted at one point but they were erased when i reset my account; my 23 is similar in appearance to the ecms-22 except that mine doesn't have a power switch.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,5086.0/all.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,18564.0/all.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,90125.0.html

[F.O.Bean]

I would settle for another ECMS style box that can be 48v phantom powered from the preamp's phantom After seeing Grider's DVC JK Labs box and how small it is, I think that would def be small enough, especially since the caps would still be 'remote placed' instead of attached to the 46/480 bodies. Thats active enough for em anyway Would be SLIGHTLY larger than 2 x 460/480 bodies anyway. I would rather use my own preamp anyway, and having just the ECMS-style version would have to cut down on size compared to the DVC boxes with preamps. Or so I would think..... Having someone who isnt going to just 'flake out' like Jon did would also be a HUGE comfort so if anything DID happen to your ECMS/DVC box, that it could be repaired in a TIMELY manner.

[tubems]

here is the link to his now old page...

this page has pics of the DVC he made for me, which had XLR' outs...

http://www.geocities.com/jk_labs/

i also found a set of pictures he sent me for the OLD OLD website i made up for him which has pics of an AKG system, a gefell system, the schoeps cables he made up for me for the DVC, and the patchbays he made, and the Sphere mic he made....ill try to scan these in if people are interested...

dan
ps, im already behind on gettin together the HOW-TOO file for making you own delrin ortf, nos, DIN bars, which im workin on....im just trying to be complete...

[F.O.Bean]

here is the link to his now old page...

this page has pics of the DVC he made for me, which had XLR' outs...

http://www.geocities.com/jk_labs/

i also found a set of pictures he sent me for the OLD OLD website i made up for him which has pics of an AKG system, a gefell system, the schoeps cables he made up for me for the DVC, and the patchbays he made, and the Sphere mic he made....ill try to scan these in if people are interested...

dan
ps, im already behind on gettin together the HOW-TOO file for making you own delrin ortf, nos, DIN bars, which im workin on....im just trying to be complete...

I have some glass-filled delrin rods ready to go

[T.J.]

i'm everyone has already seen this

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,90763.0.html

whoever hets this one may be able to help, i hope

[Chuck]

I'm working on it! I think Sanjay beat me though...

[Sanjay]

I'm working on it! I think Sanjay beat me though...

not a big deal, I probably sent my PM after you.  If you don't get it, i'll take it, but don't let me take it from you.  I was interested in buying it for specifically this purpose, of having someone dissect it for the common good (so long as it works after).  I loaned out my schoeps to someone so I need something for those occasional shows. 

[Chuck]

I'm working on it! I think Sanjay beat me though...

not a big deal, I probably sent my PM after you.  If you don't get it, i'll take it, but don't let me take it from you.  I was interested in buying it for specifically this purpose, of having someone dissect it for the common good (so long as it works after).  I loaned out my schoeps to someone so I need something for those occasional shows. 

I took myself out. It would be great if you bought it and had it reverse engineered. I researched what it was worth and realized I can't spend that much money now. Good luck. I might want the caps, if you have to buy it as the complete package.

[grider]

my maiden voyage with my JK rig was a fantastic taping experience, I took only my Sonicsense bag and nothing else, it had no DAP1 or external batteries or battery cables, and I took no stand, just my JK Labs preamp, SBM1, D8, a couple of clamps, and some clips and such, and that was it, so effortless and simple, ran omni's split about 8 feet last night from dead center, sounds nice

[F.O.Bean]

my maiden voyage with my JK rig was a fantastic taping experience, I took only my Sonicsense bag and nothing else, it had no DAP1 or external batteries or battery cables, and I took no stand, just my JK Labs preamp, SBM1, D8, a couple of clamps, and some clips and such, and that was it, so effortless and simple, ran omni's split about 8 feet last night from dead center, sounds nice

ditch the sbm1 and dats and go jk labs>acm671/busman660/modded fr2le and be done with it Chris if you want to stay in 16-bit land, get a busman 660 and sell those crappy dats if you want a warmer sound and want to go 24-bit, get a busman vintage or oade warm mod fr2-le

[spreadheadtom]

my maiden voyage with my JK rig was a fantastic taping experience, I took only my Sonicsense bag and nothing else, it had no DAP1 or external batteries or battery cables, and I took no stand, just my JK Labs preamp, SBM1, D8, a couple of clamps, and some clips and such, and that was it, so effortless and simple, ran omni's split about 8 feet last night from dead center, sounds nice

isn't it nice   my setup and tear down time is about 1 minute.  I LOVE it!


  Tommy

[willndmb]

I'm working on it! I think Sanjay beat me though...

not a big deal, I probably sent my PM after you.  If you don't get it, i'll take it, but don't let me take it from you.  I was interested in buying it for specifically this purpose, of having someone dissect it for the common good (so long as it works after).  I loaned out my schoeps to someone so I need something for those occasional shows. 

+T

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Trippy.  I noticed this on that geocities page...


The DVC can be used with commercially available active or passive cables (Neumann AK.. , Schoeps Collette, MBHO 603, Sennheiser, various AT, TOA KY, AKG BlueLine, ++) after a modification.


My buddy Jeff has a pair of the TOA KY's.  In fact I'm gonna run a 4 mic mix for Skerik this weeknd with them. (hopefully     if he finds them)  Great mics.  Check the NW Phish 93's w/ the TOA K1's.  The full bodied version of the KY's.  They bring the heat.

here is the link to his now old page...

this page has pics of the DVC he made for me, which had XLR' outs...

http://www.geocities.com/jk_labs/

i also found a set of pictures he sent me for the OLD OLD website i made up for him which has pics of an AKG system, a gefell system, the schoeps cables he made up for me for the DVC, and the patchbays he made, and the Sphere mic he made....ill try to scan these in if people are interested...

dan
ps, im already behind on gettin together the HOW-TOO file for making you own delrin ortf, nos, DIN bars, which im workin on....im just trying to be complete...

[grayp]

Trippy.  I noticed this on that geocities page...


Check the NW Phish 93's w/ the TOA K1's.  The full bodied version of the KY's.  They bring the heat.

i love those 93 fobs.   they sound incredible

[tubems]

here is the link to his now old page...

this page has pics of the DVC he made for me, which had XLR' outs...

http://www.geocities.com/jk_labs/

i also found a set of pictures he sent me for the OLD OLD website i made up for him which has pics of an AKG system, a gefell system, the schoeps cables he made up for me for the DVC, and the patchbays he made, and the Sphere mic he made....ill try to scan these in if people are interested...

dan
ps, im already behind on gettin together the HOW-TOO file for making you own delrin ortf, nos, DIN bars, which im workin on....im just trying to be complete...

sorry, moved into new house and it has taken all my time as of late.  i WILL get this up there soon, it is just low priority to dealing with a house, and normal work stuff...so eventually ill get it done and up for yall...

dan