micparts V-251 tube microphone build

[@brookbilney761]

Nice video. No annoying music. No dialogue. Just good tidy work.

[@chriskeffer]

Building 2 of these today during winter storm Elliot. Thanks for the video, giant help.

[@petegaslondon]

Wow - disappointed for a sec when I saw the tube on a PCB but you route the grid wire thru a lil hole, and put the Hi Z stuff on teflon stand-offs :) you guys DO know what youre doing! Oh I'd LIKE to make one of THESE ;) That capsule looks like a nice piece of work too.. Pete, Gas Electronics, London

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

That was beautiful to watch!

[@bob-rogers]

Thanks! I think I have a good handle of the difficulty level now. I learned a couple things too!

[@atroeds]

Thank you for sharing this! Thinking of building one, but I wasn't sure I could understand the instructions. This makes it a lot more clear!

[@kevinkace]

Cool! If you have questions, feel free to ask.

[@atroeds]

Kevin Cameron Thanks!

[@LUVLUVBrand]

if i were to buy the mic parts would you build it for me for like 70$ lol

[@MicParts]

FYI to all, I livestreamed a V-251 build on the MicParts channel: kzbin.info

[@justindavidson6917]

@@LUVLUVBrand did you ever build one? Matt works really hard to make the instruction guide foolproof. As long as you pay attention to make reliable joint and put the component in the right place.

[@artysanmobile]

Cut leads first, solder after. I don’t know why this is so little known. The cut end of a lead is a great big corrosion source. Flowing solder over the cut seals it forever.

[@kevinkace]

I've never heard that before. Nice tip! Thanks

[@konradc4599]

Very nice sounding. Good job dude.

[@kevinkace]

thanks!

[@bobcat6653]

Very cool video, thanks!

[@WarerBrow]

super relaxing

[@PharaohLawLess1]

I could never do that. If you have that to me to build you’re better off throwing it in the garbage. Kudos to you

[@photronic]

Cool, but where's the "test" part?

[@freethinksman4393]

This was the first thing I watched today. What a cool, informative way to drink a cup of coffee! Way better than listening to more awful news. Now make something else so I can enjoy another cup of coffee! Seriously, thanks. I have been waffling over whether to try this myself. How long did it take you total to perform the assembly? Did you do it in one sitting or was it over multiple days?

[@mhatfieldmusic]

Great video! Thank a lot for sharing. I’m thinking of picking up this build. Does anyone have any feedback/audio samples/suggestions regarding this mic or other diy mic builds? Thanks!

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

This condenser microphone not dynamic.

[@THUNDERWORX]

Great work!!!

[@Al-qf1jj]

Awesome video, and nice clean build! I purchased an Avantone CV-12 that has this mod. I notice that some people choose not to install the capacitor in the C10 slot. Can you tell me what the difference is without it (my mic has it installed)?

[@kevinkace]

Hmm, in the V-251 C9 sets the high pass filter at -3dB at 80hz or 160hz.

[@Gainsforlife]

Al check mic parts

[@MicParts]

C10 creates high-frequency rolloff. Anybody with tech support questions about my products, please contact me directly. I'm easy to reach via the MicParts website and will respond to emails much more quickly than to questions posted on KZbin. :-)

[@loganbuck17]

great video thank you

[@xEugene123x]

Thanks for the video! Learned alot.

[@zip7806]

Remember to Tin your tip.

[@garyshirinian]

Thx for sharing. When you were unpacking I realized on one of bags said 460 mod. What's the defense by get 460 and use the mod or buy the whole kit from microphone parts. Thx.

[@Necator4647]

Um desses seria um sonho

[@sixahem]

Learned something new 😎

[@IliasPanteliasGR]

I already have the T-47 and the S-87. Do you think it's a good addition to go to 251 or I should go to T-12 or S-12 (it's the same capsule with 251)?

[@kevinkace]

I'm probably not the best one to ask, in the end it's just another microphone!

[@jeffreymcclelland2136]

251 will give you a lot smoother and sweeter top end. Seems to smooth out any harsh frequencies around 3-5k. Great for female vocals or male vocals with more of a throaty tone. Like he said, just another microphone but it does serve a purpose if you’re wanting a different tone

[@jezebelspencer4443]

you know DIY a microhpone not just build it up, we should also adjust the datas, i guess. how do you make the sound goes well after finishing? did you ajust something? I myself want to make a stellar x2 , they said they DIY it themselves.

[@xEugene123x]

What breakaway headers are you using? The ones that I purchased were too large for the PCB holes.

[@kevinkace]

For C10? I just used the ones that came with the kit from micparts.com

[@xEugene123x]

I purchased the 12-251. It didn't come with any female breakaway headers :(

[@kevinkace]

@@xEugene123x hmmm, May want to try micparts support, I'm sure they can get you sorted. Or maybe try filing them down a little?

[@MicParts]

@@xEugene123x We include sockets in the V-251. The 12-251 that you bought does not have any socketed parts, which is why no sockets were provided. To be sure, if your kit was missing anything, we'd provide it.

[@zaperfan]

Hi, can you tell me the value or part number of the Zener diodes used to replace D5 D6 inside the power supply? Great Build BTW

[@kevinkace]

Just cracked open the build guide: 1N4759

[@LeonPhythian69]

do you know if it is possible to build the PSU For the UK power rating? , or even better switchable so that the mic is able to travel if needed? many thanks in advance for a reply. Leon

[@kevinkace]

I'm not sure about switchable, I can check though. I also pinged Recording Hacks (aka Mic Parts): twitter.com/kevinkace/status/1095716215895384064

[@MicParts]

All of our tube mic power supplies have a 115/230VAC switch, and should work fine in the UK. We've sold many tube mic kits to people in the UK and EU.

[@elianschneider5068]

how huch did it cost

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Pl. tell from where can I purchase V 251 micparts. Pl. also tell cost too.

[@kevinkace]

microphone-parts.com/

[@bbensoy]

Great video! How is your experience so far with it? I am thinking of buying in a week though.

[@kevinkace]

Great build. Still haven't put much through it yet though!

[@WOODENYOKE]

Just built this mic a few months back it’s very quality. But I’m having issues with the high end being much much too bright I find my self cutting out a lot of 16k on vocals. Would you mind posting some clips?

[@kevinkace]

I'll post some this weekend, if I can remember!

[@johnjackson8902]

The reason for this is because the capsule is not a true CK12. It's an edge terminated K67 capsule, that's only slightly darker than the K67 in a flat circuit. If you want it to sound like a proper C12 or 251 you're going to need something like the Tim Campbell CT12. Oh, and these "$150" capsules from Microphone Parts can be sourced for under $50 if you buy from the factory or another reseller. You could actually build these kinds of microphones for a lot cheaper if you source everything yourself.

[@WOODENYOKE]

​@@johnjackson8902 I had a feeling I paid for "convenience". he schematic is ok, but youre right too expensive for some steel, a Chinese capsule and a mouser cart.

[@v1o]

John Jackson the thing with ordering from China for 50 bucks is that you could get a bad sounding capsule. The QA consistency just isn’t there. Mic Mods buy them in bulk, hand select the good capsules and discard the turds.

[@MicParts]

@@johnjackson8902 Lots of misconceptions here. The RK-12 is not an "edge terminatedK67;" the backplates are a completely different design, and the HF response is much different than most K67 capsules. Further, the V251 circuit does provide optional HF corrective EQ, which is detailed in the manual. Regarding $50 capsules, it's true you can buy capsules that look vaguely like mine, but they won't sound the same, won't include the same mounts, won't match the quality, will have no reputation or warranty. You might get lucky with those, but if not, you don't really have any recourse. My capsules are made to meet a strict quality standard, are extensively tested, include mounts and tech support and a warranty. See the 1000+ 5-star customer reviews on the MicParts site if you have any doubt. Buy whichever you like, but please don't spread uninformed and incorrect information about my products.

[@Scott-dx7uc]

could you do a U87 and TZ Stellar x2 comparison?

[@kevinkace]

You might want to check out Audio Test Kitchen, they have tests from over 300 different microphones.

[@Scott-dx7uc]

@@kevinkace Thanks, I am looking for a good but not very expensive microphone.

[@kevinkace]

@@Scott-dx7uc There are many great options! Are you looking at doing something DIY? Mic Parts has a U87 kit which might be a good option for you.

[@Scott-dx7uc]

@@kevinkace I can not DIY a microphone, because that is just too complicate for me. I will just buy one.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Mic. appears to be near U87AI. What a crystal clear vocals.

[@kyle27085]

Great video I learned a lot. Would you recommend this for my first build? I’m so new to DIY

[@kevinkace]

Thanks! A few parts are a little finicky, but should be do-able for anyone with some technical know-how.

[@kyle27085]

@@kevinkaceOh ok how does it sound on acoustic and vocals?

[@kevinkace]

@@kyle27085 I haven't really gotten much chance to use it! Hope to in the future.

[@MicParts]

Kyle, I don't recommend a tube mic as a first DIY build. See the T-25 kit ; it's inexpensive but packs a punch. The circuit is based on the KM84 and is tuned to create some even-order harmonic coloration, which gives the mic a really nice tone. The circuit has only about 15 parts. This is the kit we use in group build workshops (e.g. at AES); I've seen first-time builders successfully build this model in 2 hours. You can watch me build one in a recent livestream on the MicParts channel on KZbin. We'll be launching an edited tutorial video for that model soon too.

[@donkeevney]

Lol.....great idea....they make the money, you do all the work....priceless.

[@ronedwards8239]

Never solder a socket with the tube in it!!!

[@anthemmakersmusic]

Wear gloves oils on your fingers mess up the tubes