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8. Re: Best way to build simply DIY stereo mics.

Subject: 8. Re: Best way to build simply DIY stereo mics.
From: "Ben Cook" onethousandbc
Date: Sun May 6, 2012 2:16 am ((PDT))
No worries. I didn't use the gold RCAs for any other reason than that's wha=
t the local parts place had. I would have preferred silver to match the cap=
s but oh well, doesn't really matter.

Regarding cables, I'm not a believer in cables making a sonic difference to=
 audio signals (apart from the effects of poor shielding), so I just go wit=
h the ones that are well made and durable. I've had countless $2 3.5mm-RCA =
cables die on me over the years (mainly in the form of intermittent connect=
ions developing in the RCA end) so I buy brand name cables from a good pro-=
audio store where the price hasn't been inflated to hi-fi levels.   =


--- In  Paul Willison <> w=
rote:
>
> Ben, thanks for the=C2=A0explanation. =C2=A0I've not seen a single gold R=
CA in town...I'll likely have to order them if needed! =C2=A0 Can I ask wha=
t brand of cable you are using(if that matters)? =C2=A0=C2=A0
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Ben Cook <>
> To: 
> Sent: Sunday, May 6, 2012 2:56 AM
> Subject: [Nature Recordists] Re: Best way to build simply DIY stereo mics=
.
>
>
> =C2=A0
> Hi Paul,
>
> Yes there is soldering involved. In this case I've been using the EM172s =
from frogloggers which come with 5cm leads attached. It would be possible t=
o twist the bare end of the capsule lead onto the appropriate tabs on the c=
onnectors and leave it like this but it wouldn't be very secure and prone t=
o pops and crackles. I wouldn't worry about heat damaging the capsule if yo=
u're soldering the leads. Heat the connector tab first, then the touch the =
lead to it and apply solder. Shouldn't take more than a couple of seconds a=
nd I doubt enough heat could make it up the lead to damage the capsule.
>
> These are the connectors I've used:
>
> http://m2.sourcingmap.com/smapimg/en/n/09c/golden-male-rca-plug-audio-vid=
eo-adapter-connector-45716n.jpg
>
> I unscrew it, remove the cable retention spring, scuff up that end of the=
 barrel so glue takes more firmly, twist the cap leads together a few times=
 to shorten them, thread the leads through the barrel and solder the leads =
to the tabs on the back of the connector. Then I screw the barrel back on, =
smear a small amount of two-part epoxy glue on the barrel end and also on t=
he back of the capsule and clamp them together for a few hours.
>
> Ben
>
> --- In  Paul Willison <paulwillison@> wr=
ote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Hey Ben, I've seen a couple of people mention glue. =C3=82=C2=A0How do =
you mean? =C3=82=C2=A0 Is there any soldering at all, or do you just twist =
the wire leads(if any...I know some primo caps cam wired, some not) to the =
RCA's and glue them for security? =C3=82=C2=A0If it's that easy, then you o=
f course eliminate the issue of over heating the caps!
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> >  From: Ben Cook <onethousandbc@>
> > To: 
> > Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 7:14 AM
> > Subject: [Nature Recordists] Re: Best way to build simply DIY stereo mi=
cs.
> >
> >
> > =C3=82=C2=A0
> > Hi Paul,
> >
> > Great minds think alike! (excuse the immodesty)
> >
> > I also recently glued some em172 caps to RCA connectors and am very hap=
py with the result - a bag of very capable, easy to connect omni mics.
> >
> > It's good to hear from Dan that the length of a 3.5mm - RCA cable won't=
 pose any major problems with this kind of setup.
> >
> > How are you thinking of mounting/spacing your mics? I'm enjoying finall=
y having the freedom of walking around with a stereo pair that can be place=
d pretty much anywhere, especially for instant tree-mic binaural. I also go=
t some nice ultra-stereo recordings of footsteps by putting one on each of =
my shoes and tramping about.
> >
> > Ben
> >
> > --- In  Paul Willison <paulwillison@> =
wrote:
> > >
> > > Guys, I've a really simple question.
> > > I'm setting up to build a number of stereo 3.5mm PIP mics using Primo=
 capsules, and want to built them for best sound quality.
> > > I'm using 3.5mm to stereo RCA cables as my starting point and my ques=
tion is, in order to get the least loss of sound quality in terms of both n=
oise and gain, does it matter of I solder the capsules to RCA plugs and jus=
t plug them onto the existing RCA ends, or, will I see an improvement by wi=
ring them direct after cutting off the existing plugs. =C3=82=C2=A0And...if=
 I do the latter, does soldering in any way inhibit the signal(in other wor=
ds, will I see an improvement either way by soldering or just twisting the =
wires?). =C3=82=C2=A0The primo's came from Frogloggers, so they have attach=
ed wires already(thankfully...I've read that you can ruin them easily with =
too much heat). =C3=82=C2=A0 Also, is there a large difference in audio qua=
lity among different brands of cables?(right now, I've just bought 3.5mm to=
 RCA from Radio Shack...and pricing both there, local music stores, and onl=
ine for similar items seems almost the same). =C3=82=C2=A0=C3=82=C2=A0
> > > I am simply trying to get the best quality I can for what I have, so =
any advice is greatly=C3=82=C2=A0appreciated!
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>








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