DOES THE SOUND OF A MIC CAPSULE CHANGE OVER TIME?

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[@steme2007]

This is actually not news but very well known. And that's why in professional studios we regularly cleaned the diaphragms of the Neumanns and AKGs with utmost care back in the 80's already. There are a couple of videos describing that process. We used 90% Isopropanol and special cleaning buds which are also used in the camera industry to clean lenses. You just have to be super careful or the diaphragm is easily destroyed. Neve use those mics for vocals without a pop filter!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Aware it is known by some. By others it is insulting...and for most...cleaning the capsule is NOT possible. And...most importantly...haven't seen a video like this on KZbin that actually swaps out the capsule on the same mic... Therefore...that's why I did it

[@AircraftFuelerEddie]

Well, I didn't know... and now I do, thanks to this great video❤

[@StephenCarterStressExpert]

You can definitely hear the difference. While I generally prefer a flat, darker mic sound, in listening to both the new and old capsule the new capsule is clearer and - to my ears - more pleasing.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I didnt think it would be that clear...especially on a mic that was only 7ish years old

[@ScottGrammer]

Definitely different sounding. I wonder is the difference due to contamination of the old capsule, or due to it having loosened up (less tension) over time? It would be interesting to hear an NT2A from a few years ago that has not been used - just sat in the box all this time.

[@schubiduba1]

From what I see in the video they are not the same. The old capsule is center terminated. The new capsule is edge terminated. That alone can make a huge sound difference

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@schubiduba1 the old capsule was from a swap. The og nt2a capsule was not center terminated. I swap them out in the video clear as day man

[@ThePostPatrol]

This is why SDC's are more sibilant and crisp and LDC's are warmer in comparison. And as far as the damage a mic can take. You'd be surprised. I tried cleaning one of my cheaper mics with alcohol and I guess I rubbed a little too hard, so half the capsule's gold sputtering has been wiped off and still sounds great, less crisp. It's an ST51 and now it has this darker warmer sound like a condenser version of a SM7B. It was a happy accident.

[@offplanetfilms]

I'm very conscious of 'spittle prevention' on my condenser capsules. I've actually tested a range of pop screens using a mist spray to see which removes the most spittle from the air. The metal grill types don't prevent spittle at all, while the Hakan style open-foam type seem to prevent the most.

[@superflychris333]

Amazing discovery! Thanks

[@RocknRollkat]

"Warmer" is a misnomer. I always interpreted 'warmer' as 'brighter'. Decades ago (1973) I asked a CBS engineer if nicotine buildup on the mic. diaphragms made a difference. He said "no", but then again, they weren't doing A/B testing like this. I maintained that nicotine probably did make a difference (remember, everybody back then smoked). Nice presentation, thank you. Bill P.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I have gotten so much push back for mentioning the exact same thing. Weird how mic nerds take this stuff so personally...lol

[@RocknRollkat]

@@DarkCornerStudios It's so much easier to accept that things get old. Mics, amps, us, everything. Bill P.

[@Frytech]

No offense, but "warmer" isn't really a "misnomer". It just so happened that you simply interpreted it wrong and didn't check what most of the people mean by it. "Warmer" for most people in this context means that the sound isn't as harsh, there are a bit less of high frequencies, the sound is a little darker and more muted in tone. Like he said in the video, there's a bit less of those airy high frequencies if the sound is "warmer".

[@RocknRollkat]

@@Frytech Like IK said, 'warmer' tp me means 'brighter'. Semantics. No 'right or wrong'. Bill P.

[@Frytech]

@@RocknRollkat And, like I’ve said, unfortunately your use of this term is incorrect. If most of the people when using the word WARM mean that degrees on a thermometer Increase, but you think they Decrease - you’d be wrong, and there’s no need to argue about it, you just have to accept the reality, admit you used the term incorrectly, and adjust what you thought about the term and your use of it. Same here. I hope you take no offenses, but you gotta change this, otherwise you’ll always have misunderstandings with people because of the way YOU use the term “warm tone”. Kind regards, Stan.

[@Mr.MinerAL]

Super interesting. I wonder if you'll start a trend in "relic-ing" new mics to make them sound loogie-filled.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Nah...you don't rush a fine wine

[@ramencurry6672]

As long as nobody is farting into the mic

[@alexmagor]

There is another factor I believe is the minute differences of tension of the skin of the capsule. I think older capsules skins that have been used a lot have slightly loosened or become slightly more flexible and give a less rigid sound than a brand new one. I think capsules break in a similar way to speakers.

[@RadicalRumin]

The main effect any type of crud on the capsule will have is probably slowing transient response, and thus top end detail. That all makes sense, it's extra weight on the capsule which needs to be as light and flexible as possible. This probably also means it loses some sensitivity. Now, gold doesn't corrode, but mylar does, and I don't really know what effect the degraded structural integrity of that material has on the sound. The closes examples we can look at are PVC capsules, as they're even less resistant to corrosion and most mics that have those are decades old by now. They seem to suffer from a even more extreme top end roll off, darkening the sound, but it's hard to say whether that's because the material has corroded or because of the crud on the capsule. Then there's also titanium capsules, which are pretty much imperfious to any type of corrosion.

[@chinmeysway]

Spittle evaporates and dust weighs almost nothing. More likely that the Mylar thickness was different long ago or something. Or who knows but I just wonder how the notions can be actually tested (frequently analyzer for instance )

[@chinmeysway]

Regarding subtle comparison: Hmm you’d have to have the exact same sounds hitting the mic to a/b test things. And the a/b have to touch - no break between

[@thethirdrailchannel]

The louder will always sound better (just like speakers). How are you compensating for volume differences?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Super scientific! I recorded them both at the same gain level. Any differences in overall volume are not on me

[@davidsillars3181]

Glad i use my pop filter and the little bag wirh the dessicant pack in it! Very interesting comparing the two diaphragms.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I am all about the pop filters now...lol

[@yo3429]

This don't work, for me the diff is more subjektive than anything else. You should have made measurements for proof. Another thing is the production batch of the capsules, later production series can differ.

[@Andrewc87563]

Gives a new interpretation to the phrase "Spit and Polish"!

[@tonytbd6232]

Interesting - and would make sense. Why I love watching - cheers

[@nerdyneedsalife8315]

I thought you originally replaced the NT2A capsule with the generic K47 capsule, the one from Microphone parts. Did you change the capsule after that or did you say K67 when you meant K47 clone?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Oh damn...lol You are right. Not sure why I had it in my head that it was the k67 kit. Still a trash upgrade no matter...lol

[@getstew]

Is it possible or more likely that the difference is actually due to the electronics being "burned in" /used more over time? I have high end audio gear (amplifiers ..etc.). They tell you will change (smooth) over time, and it sure has. Same thing perhaps?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Doubtful with a diaphragm. That said I am not an expert

[@BoomerBends]

This is why I always spray a few dust coats of shellac on all my new capsules before installing them. ;)

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Lmao

[@chrisw5742]

Try it with 2 identical DIAPHRAGMS and dirty up one. Maybe some hair spray on it or a tiny bit of spray paint?. BTW they are diaphragms not capsules. :-P

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I fully intend to take this testing further. Yes, you are correct...it is a diaphragm. Sometimes that happens...words are hard when you are on camera and trying to get the right shot. Something you cannot know until you do it yourself. So sit back...enjoy the show...and dont bother with semantics.

[@thethirdrailchannel]

But that doesn’t address the issue. You would need to set up a fixed tone set at a fixed distance, then adjust the inputs so the levels are exact.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

It's the EXACT same microphone...just with the capsule swapped

[@jcpuga]

I actuallly like the old capsule lol

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Not gonna lie...it does have its place!

[@seanwebb605]

How can you have degrees of average?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Oh I know average!!

[@seanwebb605]

@@DarkCornerStudios Don't get me started. I don't have much else going on right now.

[@benjiang9789]

Before shaving, you look in your 70s; after shaving, 50s.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Neither of those make me feel good

[@Nik-8it5p]

Probably the same argument exists with guitar pickups how the magnets age?. Nothing stays young forever.

[@VidMashUp]

You should pretend to shave using a microphone just to see how cool it looks.

[@steveschnetzler5471]

I agree with your analysis and conclusions. Would be interesting to try "sensor" cleaning techniques on the old diaphragm. Maybe imersion in alchohol? Maybe in an ultrasonic cleaning bath? Thanks.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I know there are ways to clean...but I worry about spreading that around. I would hate if one of my videos caused someone to wreck their mic