34mm condensor mic capsule replacement good ones ?

funkgod · Thursday at 10:38

34mm condensor mic capsule replacement

has anyone done one ?

iv been using mine getting toward 30ish years now and i think the capsules need replacing

mainly cutting out while singing with anything breathy, even though there is a pop filter

so to my question which ones are good ones ?

there are loads on ebay all about 20 to 30 quid, but are they any good ?

has anyone done one ? if so which one ?

and was there any difference in sound from the original ( when it was working )

cheers all

Edited 4 hours ago by funkgod

funkgod · Thursday at 11:12

just in case anyone is interested, i found this...

warning,,, this is real cork sniffing stuff !

Dad3353 · Thursday at 11:14

What mic is it..? With the quality of many current new mic's being so good, is the replacement justified..? If it's a quality mic from a Big Name, a replacement from the factory might be the best bet, but a new Superlux starts at £30. Not an option..?

80Hz · Thursday at 11:31

Your mic might just need servicing, and the symptoms you describe could also be a preamp issue (i.e. the preamp board in the mic, not an external preamp).

Capsules don't really wear out unless they've been physically damaged or anything strange has happened like being stored in a damp environment. Dust and grime can build up eventually if they've had a long service life. Capsule cleaning is a specialist job best carried out by the original manufacturer or a professional.

With those caveats - I've built a couple of microphone kits from the same guy who makes Roswell mics, and I'd have no issues using his replacement capsules. All good quality stuff.

I'd have a go if it was an inexpensive and replaceable mic, but I'm not about to fiddle with any Neumanns 🙂

chris667 · Thursday at 11:33

14 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

What mic is it..? With the quality of many current new mic's being so good, is the replacement justified..? If it's a quality mic from a Big Name, a replacement from the factory might be the best bet, but a new Superlux starts at £30. Not an option..?

I agree with this.

I play ukulele acoustically (pickups on ukes should be illegal). I played with a little Behringer at a gig for a friend and it was amazing! Way better than my SM57 and about 1/5 of the price.

I know this is not what you asked but if it's something valuable you could probably sell it and buy a complete mic that might even be better.

chris667 · Thursday at 11:40

And there's even DIY! I quite fancy making one of these - it wouldn't have to be a usb mic.

80Hz · Thursday at 11:46

1 minute ago, chris667 said:

And there's even DIY! I quite fancy making one of these - it wouldn't have to be a usb mic.

Go for it - it's rewarding and educational, I learned a lot about microphone design and functionality from the MicParts kits I built (your video there is even-more-DIY!)

Also I wasn't trying to discourage the OP from doing a capsule replacement, just that a) it might not be necessary, and b) it's not something I'd attempt on a valuable mic.

</derail>

Matt P · Thursday at 12:00

i'm watching this, I got a dead condenser mic in a deal a while back (as an addition to a working one) as the housing is in nice shape i'm tempted to build something from it.

I've looked at the capsules that Thomann sells as replacements for the T-bone mics, they have good reviews but that's often not a true representation of how good they truly are.

is there a good way to test the capsule? i don't know if it's the capsule or the circuit that is dead in mine so it would be good to determine either way.

Matt

Dad3353 · Thursday at 12:04

4 minutes ago, Matt P said:

... i don't know if it's the capsule or the circuit that is dead in mine so it would be good to determine either way ...

Some courage needed, but you could swap the 'duff' capsule for a working one from a similar mic; that'll show up which part isn't working. As has been stated, it's less often the capsule than the pre-amp, but that's the simple test, if you have an equivalent working mic. Worth a try..?

Edited Thursday at 12:04 by Dad3353

Matt P · Thursday at 12:42

35 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

Some courage needed, but you could swap the 'duff' capsule for a working one from a similar mic; that'll show up which part isn't working. As has been stated, it's less often the capsule than the pre-amp, but that's the simple test, if you have an equivalent working mic. Worth a try..?

I actually own 3 more of the same mic (Red5Audio RV8) all of them working, i'll have to have a look and see how easy swapping the capsule is, i've been meaning to inspect the circuit as well, my guess is either a bad solder joint or maybe a blown capacitor, i've got a feeling it's all surface mount though so beyond my soldering skills. maybe this is a good opportunity to build a replacement circuit for it.

Matt

Dad3353 · Thursday at 14:19

1 hour ago, Matt P said:

I actually own 3 more of the same mic (Red5Audio RV8) all of them working, i'll have to have a look and see how easy swapping the capsule is, i've been meaning to inspect the circuit as well, my guess is either a bad solder joint or maybe a blown capacitor, i've got a feeling it's all surface mount though so beyond my soldering skills. maybe this is a good opportunity to build a replacement circuit for it ...

Of interest, maybe...

GearSpace : Red5 RV8 Recap..?

Try contacting Red5 Audio, perhaps..? They could advise, or even repair it for you..? Their contact is ...

Contact for Red5 Audio...

Edited Thursday at 14:27 by Dad3353

funkgod · 2025-06-22T12:03:57Z

On 19/06/2025 at 12:14, Dad3353 said:

What mic is it..? With the quality of many current new mic's being so good, is the replacement justified..? If it's a quality mic from a Big Name, a replacement from the factory might be the best bet, but a new Superlux starts at £30. Not an option..?

Hi all, sorry iv been away for a few days in the sun 😎

ok dad, they have been my secret weapon for years now, very hard to find, they are ROYTEK, hand made? in Italy about 25 years ago, these as you can see by the badge on the front of the case were a part of the "Proel" group and im sure i seen a strat copy ROYTEK guitar once !

https://proelworld.com/it/it/it/it/it/

so i have only had one of them for about that long not 30ish as in the op, ( though does seem that long 🙂 .. ) they only pop up on ebay now and again, not seen one on there for years and this week one popped up so i grabbed that as well, though not with its case, may be an older one when they sold them without a case, its been a fantastic mic and my go to for all vocals, and on all the songs i have released, to put that in to context i have about 40 mics to choose from ( not joking ).

It still works as does the other two, its just on one when you get too breathy it can cut out, on saying that,,,if used with out a pop filter it always did do that, so i always use filters on them, but one now and again even with a filter when a singer gets abit too excited it will pop off, so thought it might be time for a capsule change, for the price of them prob worth a go, i know you can get them cleaned, i have done this myself in the past with good results.

Regarding changing the capsule iv got no probs as i do electronics anyway almost everyday, mainly fixing mixing desks and recorders for studios.

so the chance to get an original capsule is prob long gone unless the one used is a stock bought in part as most are.

so al have a go.

@ 80 hz

cheers i did try that, its not a preamp issue i have a fair few preamps including Amek 9098 and its the same on all,

Regarding the up grade of the cct board, for this one in particular as you can see its a modders dream, as there is no SM stuff, just good, old school components with space, but yea, thats a whole new topic we could open up as reading some of the comments a few people would be interested in, would someone like to start a new post in the recording section regarding this or just carry on on this post ? but is something i would also be very interested in also.

cheers all for your input,