The AKG Active Project - 2

[terrapinj]

Neil - have you been able to find the schematics for the mk45 cables?

mine are overdue for re-cabling

[illconditioned]

ooops, hit the tab button

to continue... i see the active setup as clunky - remember i ran 460>mk46>ck8x for a long time. and it required care to set-up/tear down and usually a recabling after 2-3 years.

   i think it makes the most sense to create the capsule adapter and then "duplicate" the 460 bodies in a small metal box. (personally i am a fan of the preamps that can accept the MK46 cable directly.) i can have the schematic over to a buddy who will do the layout and ness computer modeling for noise issues etc (this guy has been designing audio circuit boards for _many_ years). having short runs of circuit boards done here in the US is now very inexpensive as compared to the old days.
   the A61's could become the source of the metal for the ends, but i do not believe they contain the needed bias ring. i think the machining can be done in this country at a resonable price as compared to using A61's. but i am a little concerned that the contacts might be difficult to replicate here in the usa at a reasonable price. however i have a Chinese friend who just happens to be a manufacturer of audio in china (ever hear of ARC Audio??) who might be able to help us out on the metal end including the innards... i will try this week to contact him and get his opinion. also, i will speak to my machinist here in town and get his thoughts on dup'ing the ends, contacts included. delrin is a very machineable plastic.... and maybe there is something in the auto electronics rebuilder's world that comes close to the bias ring... i will ask my buddy who owns a shop rebuilding alternators etc.


neil in san marcos

If someone machines a set of ends (both inner and outer connector), and if they send them to me, I'll build this gear and post my results and all building details.  As I've said numerous times in the past, it is the mechanical issues that stump me, not the electrical ones.

  Richard

[esteyes]

i have schematics for the MK46 cable. can do the recabling if requested. let me find the AKG sheet and scan it.

will speak to my machinist tomorrow. will talk to my rebuilder tomorrow night about the ring contact. will dig up an addy for my asian friend and ping him tomorrow.

neil

can i assume finding CK3 capsules is harder than finding CK63's???

[stirinthesauce]

can i assume finding CK3 capsules is harder than finding CK63's???

oh yeah, much harder as the ck3's are no longer manufactured.

[F.O.Bean]

its almost a matter of ...
"if you want active AKGs....buy schoeps"

or MBHO's. I think they sound ALOT closer to AKG's than Schoeps or even DPA's Theyre basically Schoeps without a bloated low-end

[esteyes]

just got back from my machinist. for a run of 50 pieces, $10 per metal end + cost of materials. roughly the same price for the plastic insert for the capsule end and i think i can draw up a shape for preamp end that will meet his requirements and allow him to manufacture that insert as well. there should be room for the FET in the capsule end.

i think i have a solution for the center pin and socket, am working on the contact for the FET bias ring with nothing satisfactory found yet...

might go talk to a plastics molding guy i sorta know tomorrow.

so:
2x metal ends $20 total
2x plastic insert $20 total
center pin $0.25
socket $0.25
FET ??
cable  $0.50/ft ??
bias ring contact ??
this would give you a cable that would allow you to remote any CKxx capsule from a 460 body. it would also do the same for any CKx capsule if you have an A60M...


neil in san marcos

[sygdwm]

sweet. +t

[Chuck]

esteyes PM sent

[terrapinj]

so these would essentially be a new run of mk46 style cables?

[esteyes]

yes

[terrapinj]

down for sure 

and if you are interested i'd still like to get the originals rebuilt

are you going to the Belly Up on Friday for Railroad Earth and Hot Buttered Rum?

[willndmb]

+T

how would this be for 480? the same or different

[Chuck]

+T

how would this be for 480? the same or different

This particular solution will not work with the 480 bodies.

[illconditioned]

+T

how would this be for 480? the same or different

This particular solution will not work with the 480 bodies.

If the other poster makes the cables, it is a simple matter to build an "active battery box" to connect to the other end.  In fact, this is the ideal situation, since one can choose either the 460 bodies (if you're not a hacker), or the battery box design, if you are.

By the way, why is it that so many people want actives?  Is it to stealth, or just for a convenient low pro setup?  I've been using my BeyerDynamic MC930, loving the sound (more than AKG!!!), and figure I can wait for the actives.  My main motivation originally was the *low cost* of just buying the capsules.  If I bought CK61 and CK63 I could have two sets of mics, maybe both running at the same time at different venues, lol.

  Richard

[OFOTD]

Richard I think there are several camps re: actives.

For me personally I love the low-pro setup of my Neumann actives.   Setup time is another factor.  With my Neumann's I have them already attached to a Kwon bar and mount.  All I do is get my stand set, attach the shockmount and i'm ready to roll.  Less than a minute.   No large shockmounts.  No full bodies getting in people's view.  No need for external xlr cables.  This is a HUGE advantage when running FOB where size/footprint does matter as well as for taper friendly artists who have non taper friendly crowds who upon the sight of full bodies start complaining before a show even starts.

I find myself running my 480's next to (or rather below) my Neumann actives.  Mostly because I still dig the sound of the 480 bodies/ck6x caps.  I wish I had actives to run them both discreetly together.