Looking for a new desktop Mic. been looking at the Delta M2 amplified dynamic Mic. or the Echo master Galaxy with roger beep & echo Mic. or the vintage D104 lollipop with t-ug8 stand. Which performs better? anybody?
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LOOKING FOR A GOOD MIC.
- Thread starter moonwalker61
- Start date
The D104 has always been a flagship approach to the radio.
By sounds to tonal quality alone it is hard to beat.
Although the human Genome uses about 3 Billion Base pairs and has it all tied in with 23 chromosome winds of string spaghetti - that means you have at least that many different varying ways to say - "Use What Works For You" - in fewer words or less.
The field of Mics' is a lot like a meadow of flowers - they follow the sun and sometimes they stink.
What does that have to do with Microphones? Well, ever share one with someone that has Halitosis?
Many have tried and Astatic itself has been forced to come to grips with the changing times - seems the "Rochelle" salts used as the main Piezo element that makes the D-104's sound and performance so notable - is no longer being made.
It is not a "crystal" like say Quartz, but a Tartrate - a precipitant result of an acidic action between two or more materials. Potassium and Sodium - both interact being exposed to Tartaric Acid they give each other a share of the valence bonds or outer orbit electron shells and can generate piezo electricity when shaken - not unlike the alcohols used for other forms of these salts - which are stirred- which Alexander Graham Bell immediately started using both and developed a clumsy way of communication, featuring not unlike the tune of "Watson - Come Quick I need you" was the first phone call and loving savior of note sent at the same time.
So you can read about those Rochelle Salts here...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_sodium_tartrate
And the meaning of the word Tartrate here...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartrate
What I'm really trying to tell you here is you may not have much luck in finding a microphone that you really like unless you are willing to make your own.
Not necessarily re-inventing Rochelle processing - but more along the lines of obtain the right type of Element the mic is, and how it responds to your voice using the amplifier around it - you may need to locate and build your own.
Cheers!
By sounds to tonal quality alone it is hard to beat.
Although the human Genome uses about 3 Billion Base pairs and has it all tied in with 23 chromosome winds of string spaghetti - that means you have at least that many different varying ways to say - "Use What Works For You" - in fewer words or less.
The field of Mics' is a lot like a meadow of flowers - they follow the sun and sometimes they stink.
What does that have to do with Microphones? Well, ever share one with someone that has Halitosis?
Many have tried and Astatic itself has been forced to come to grips with the changing times - seems the "Rochelle" salts used as the main Piezo element that makes the D-104's sound and performance so notable - is no longer being made.
It is not a "crystal" like say Quartz, but a Tartrate - a precipitant result of an acidic action between two or more materials. Potassium and Sodium - both interact being exposed to Tartaric Acid they give each other a share of the valence bonds or outer orbit electron shells and can generate piezo electricity when shaken - not unlike the alcohols used for other forms of these salts - which are stirred- which Alexander Graham Bell immediately started using both and developed a clumsy way of communication, featuring not unlike the tune of "Watson - Come Quick I need you" was the first phone call and loving savior of note sent at the same time.
So you can read about those Rochelle Salts here...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_sodium_tartrate
And the meaning of the word Tartrate here...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartrate
What I'm really trying to tell you here is you may not have much luck in finding a microphone that you really like unless you are willing to make your own.
Not necessarily re-inventing Rochelle processing - but more along the lines of obtain the right type of Element the mic is, and how it responds to your voice using the amplifier around it - you may need to locate and build your own.
Cheers!
Moon , Do you talk a lot of SSB ? I use Turner SSK for SSB & a D-104 Silver Eagle for AM on my Cobra 2K . D-104 works OK on SSB but picks up a lot of back ground noise . Unless you get a 10-Da head for it . jmo . 73 & God Bless , Leo
AmericanEagle575
Supporting Sr. Member WDX-1863
I have my D-104 on my Cobra 2K as well. Also have the 10_DA head. Wow Leo this is awesome!!
Shadetree Mechanic
Delaware Base Station 808
I run a D104 on my Sonar AM station and another D104 on my President Madison for SSB. The only upgrade to the D104 that I can see would be a studio mic with a tube mic preamp that has built in compression and a limiter.
Easy to build a nice one for less than 10 bucks.
http://www.w1aex.com/mic/mic.html
Radio Shack Parts List:
10K-Ohm 15-Turn Cermet Potentiometer/Trimmer Model: 271-343 | Catalog #: 271-343 $2.69
PC-Mount condenser Microphone Element Model: 270-090 | Catalog #: 270-090 $2.79
0.047µF 50V 10% PC-Mount Capacitor Model: 272-1068 | Catalog #: 272-1068 $1.49
1.0µF 35V 20% Dipped Tantalum Capacitor Model: 272-1434 | Catalog #: 272-1434 $1.79
10µF 16V 20% Dipped Tantalum Capacitor Model: 272-1436 | Catalog #: 272-1436 $1.79
http://www.w1aex.com/mic/mic.html
Radio Shack Parts List:
10K-Ohm 15-Turn Cermet Potentiometer/Trimmer Model: 271-343 | Catalog #: 271-343 $2.69
PC-Mount condenser Microphone Element Model: 270-090 | Catalog #: 270-090 $2.79
0.047µF 50V 10% PC-Mount Capacitor Model: 272-1068 | Catalog #: 272-1068 $1.49
1.0µF 35V 20% Dipped Tantalum Capacitor Model: 272-1434 | Catalog #: 272-1434 $1.79
10µF 16V 20% Dipped Tantalum Capacitor Model: 272-1436 | Catalog #: 272-1436 $1.79
Which would you prefer?
Most prefer the 9V battery type - but there are also the different types of keying.
Base bar, where you key the mike pressing down on the bar, or the side key (slapstick) - or both.
So look for whatever is convenient for you.
There are problems with older mike switching and the plunger mechanism - but they are minor when the mic has been taken care of - so just don't settle for anything until you got it to try and operate it. Any squeaks or noises? That will transfer noise into the airwaves right along with your voice - so look for good quality and not too many dents dings or loose heads - always try it out first, if they won't let you - then don't waste your time buying it. You need to hear you, not just take some ones word for it.
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Shadetree Mechanic
Delaware Base Station 808
One of the things you can do to hear what you sound like is to use another radio in your station to listen to yourself with headphones. I use a stock Cobra 29 LTD with no antenna connected and the RF knob turned down. This is also helpful in setting the microphone level so it doesn't sound crunchy.
Wow im the 1 way out there.i use either turner plus 3 b on my slant face sears ssb base and a super sidekick on my galaxy 99v and president grant,a turner 70j on my bearcat 980 and i got an early turner roadking handy just in case.i get great reports on any of those mics eitheron ssb or am
