Wrapping Up the little Red Monster Mod
Wrapping Up the little Red Monster Mod
Red Monster Wrap Up
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
The original plan for the Monster was to swap the OEM capsule for a Mic-Parts RK-12 and go for a C-12 sound profile. After electronic mods and some testing and loaning the mic to friends for their opinions, we found we like the sound of Alctron’s ’67 capsule, at least this particular one. It’s on the airy, bright side of neutral, but the high frequency peak is broader and not as tall as most Chinese ‘67s. It can be EQ’d if need be since it is a curve rather than a spike.
I did try an RK-12, but the tube circuit didn’t do anything super special for it, so the original capsule was reinstalled and measurements were made to confirm our impressions from listening.
What does the frequency response look like?
Cardioid
Flat from 30 Hz to 3KHz with a 2dB rise at 4500 and a 4dB rise centered on 12 KHz
Omnidirectional
Gently falling from 20 Hz to 4KHz, a 3dB dip at 5K, and a 6dB rise centered on 12KHz
Figure 8
Rising from 30 Hz to 3KHz with a 4dB rise at 4500 and a 2dB bump centered on 12 KHz
Intermediate patterns fall between cardioid and omni or cardioid and fig-8. The mic sounds good on vocals in cardioid, no mud, clear diction without being sibilant. Slightly on the airy side which can be tamed with a gentle 10KHz shelf in post. It has an “87” character over all. The response variations with pattern changes can be used to good effect now that they are known.
So the RK-12s will go into another build, as will another capsule I am eager to try out.