their stupid LDC condenser is $30 too.

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 12:53 pm *I'm buying another and I want to see how 'good' this can get with some mods

Let me know where you end up with this. I have a bunch already and if I ever get some time I want to try this too. I don't think I'm up for re-ribboning, but I'd be curious to hear if a passive version and/or a transformer upgrade is useful.

Kniferide wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 1:34 pm their stupid LDC condenser is $30 too.

Shit. Good Eye, I missed that. I have a few of these, they're exactly what you'd expect of a cheap chinese condenser. It is multipatern and has a transformer so might be worth modding. And let it be noted that the included shock-mount is much higher quality than the one that comes with the ribbon, at least it was with the ones I got a while ago. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625878

Also $15 Di box. Nothing special, but utilitarian.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=600125

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 12:53 pm Jesus, what is with the world.


*I'm buying another and I want to see how 'good' this can get with some mods

The electronics look totally fine in my mics (a lot better than my Oktavas), so unless there's a transformer swap or you want to retension the ribbon, I don't know what upgrades are available. I'm sure someone out on GearSpace has some ideas.

twelvepoint wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:15 pm

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 12:53 pm Jesus, what is with the world.


*I'm buying another and I want to see how 'good' this can get with some mods

The electronics look totally fine in my mics (a lot better than my Oktavas), so unless there's a transformer swap or you want to retension the ribbon, I don't know what upgrades are available. I'm sure someone out on GearSpace has some ideas.

I kinda assumed they didn't even have a transformer and had some sort of IC balanced buffer thing in there to save monies.

twelvepoint wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:15 pm ...unless there's a transformer swap or you want to retension the ribbon, I don't know what upgrades are available. I'm sure someone out on GearSpace has some ideas.

I think trying passive (eliminating the internal Pre) or variations on the ribbon motor are about all you could do. Maybe swap the whole ribbon motor or experiment with different thicknesses (thinnesses?) of ribbon and different corrugations and such. I don't trust my fine motor skills to do any ribbon work.

Kniferide wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 5:30 pm I kinda assumed they didn't even have a transformer and had some sort of IC balanced buffer thing in there to save monies.

The LR-100, LC-200 and LTM-500 all have transformers, I don't know about their other mics. They definitely cut costs with the body tube, they're pretty light-weight, though the Ribbon has an actual brass body tube, probably to combat noise. Beyond that I don't know if they just have a microscopic profit margin or what...
oh also there's a coupon code again, SAVE25 for $25 off $125+ on qualifying items (this shit all qualifies)
https://www.monoprice.com/pages/savemore_proaudio

Anybody ever see their tube condenser on sale? I check from time to time but no dice.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625879

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:06 pm Anybody ever see their tube condenser on sale? I check from time to time but no dice.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625879

It was down to like $115 in like November I think. That's the lowest I've ever seen it.

thecr4ne wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:21 pm

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:06 pm Anybody ever see their tube condenser on sale? I check from time to time but no dice.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625879

It was down to like $115 in like November I think. That's the lowest I've ever seen it.

Yeah, I picked one up when it was at that price. I ended up doing a tube swap and a few other mods before upgrading the capsule, as the stock one suffers from the typical harsh/bright top end that a lot of these cheap LDCs do. It's pretty usable now, I've got it permanently set up out in front of the drum kit right now.

Nate Dort wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:18 am

thecr4ne wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:21 pm

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:06 pm Anybody ever see their tube condenser on sale? I check from time to time but no dice.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625879

It was down to like $115 in like November I think. That's the lowest I've ever seen it.

Yeah, I picked one up when it was at that price. I ended up doing a tube swap and a few other mods before upgrading the capsule, as the stock one suffers from the typical harsh/bright top end that a lot of these cheap LDCs do. It's pretty usable now, I've got it permanently set up out in front of the drum kit right now.

Very Mod-able. Same circuit as the Apex 460, lots of variations on a theme, but most involve getting rid of a few caps, better tube and upgrading a cap. I've modded a handful of 460's, but haven't gotten to these yet.

yeah now that' I've built a ribbon mic 100 times over and gotten good results, I want to try this out, see where it stacks and then consider a ribbon replacement and/or motor. I have a bunch of transformers to try as well