From: "Daniel De Granville" <>
> How about building a stereo set of microphones in a parabola using these
> low-cost cartridges available at Panasonic industrial gear's website?
> http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/components/rec_mic.htm
>
> I understand that some of them can provide nice results, especially if
> powered with a higher voltage than recommended by the manufacturer. One can
> also do a couple more changes in them to get even better results. I also saw
> that some of these cartridges are the same type used for making some pretty
> good microphones that we can find for sale.
>
> Of course I will not get as good a result as using a pair of MKH-20's, but
> while these cost about 1100 US, each of those cartridges can be found for no
> more than 3 US! I think it might be worthwhile, at least for some
> experimentation on stereo before going for the real (and costly) stuff. And
> if you wreck a couple of those while trying to modify them, no big deal.
>
> Any thoughts?
These will work, almost any mic can be used if it's small enough. They
are pretty high in self noise, and that's something that the mods don't
change. The mods are designed primarily to allow them to work with
louder sounds, ie Rock Concerts.
You may want to join the yahoo group: micbuilders, a whole group devoted
to DYI Mics if you are going to get into that sort of thing. They
endlessly tinker with cheap capsules. You can get lots of help there.
Just remember a lot of them are recording Rock Concerts or other loud
things. Though more and more are paying attention to quieter things.
MKH-20's can be had for considerable less than their list price. Ebay,
or even checking dealers for used ones. My pair cost less than the
single list price virtually new off ebay. Still lots of money. It is a
point to build experimental things with cheaper capsules sometimes,
particularly if there is a risk to the capsules. And as long as it's
realized that the full extent of the project involves putting in better
mics in successful experiments.
One thing to note, no matter if it's cheap capsules or MKH-20's it's not
the same thing as a Telinga, even using the Telinga reflector. The
Telinga's good characteristics are as much or more the design of it's
stereo mics as the dish. Using different mics you are building something
different. That's not a judgment on which is better, just that they are
different. Calling a homemade design a Telinga just because it uses the
reflector just adds confusion. Just as attempting to describe the
abilities of a Telinga by using some other parabolic's characteristics
does. It's becoming increasingly clear that saying it's a parabolic is a
generic term, like saying it's a omni. We need to be more clear on just
what parabolic we are talking about.
Walt
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