OK, I soldered up the first of our boards that we did for this mic project. I noticed one minor typo on the board we'll fix, but other than that they seem perfect. Can't wait to hear this one with the new capsules.

#FET847MicBuild

I built another gar2520 opamp for my 3rd #500SeriesAPIClone . Prototype no. 1. The one that lives in my lab to test mics with. I don't know why I only ordered parts for 2 opamps the first time around, but I remedied that. I have a ton of opamps of other designs, so I had been using it with a spare, but now it's as it should be.

I also changed out the inductors in the 2 FET847 boards to the smaller ones they didn't have in stock when I originally ordered the parts.

#FET847MicBuild

I ordered some inexpensive capsules for the next iteration of the FET847 mics. These capsules are new on the market, and they were developed by one of the members of one of my DIY forums. The mic gurus up there have tested them, and say they're top notch, so I can't wait to try them in a build.

They're actually PK47 capsules with a slightly different frequency response (on purpose) than traditional PK47 capsules.

#FET847MicBuild

A friend and I decided to roll our own boards for this FET847 mic project. Now I can make the mics more cheaply. Plus it's fun doing your own stuff.

#FET847MicBuild

I ordered these little logo plates a few months ago from my panel guy, and I finally got to use one on the FET847 mic.

I used almost no glue, but some still squeezed out along the edges. I cleaned it up as good as I could without scraping away the black finish on the bodies, but you can still see a little.

Anyway, chalk it up to the learning curve.

#FET847MicBuild

Tomorrow I am going to try to attach one of my logo plates to the body of my FET847 mics.

So it looks bitchin pro.

#FET847MicBuild

I took a nude of my FET847 mic since some people asked for it. I'll also post the clothed version.

#FET847MicBuild

Here is some audio from that FET847. This is me speaking a bit.

#FET847MicBuild

OK, so FET847 #1 is done and sounds pretty damn cool if you ask me.

I'll take it a bit apart and show pics next week since I forgot to take pics as I was assembling it.

#FET847MicBuild

Got the dryer power cord all sorted, and now I have a fully functioning washer/dryer pair.

This weekend I'll finish prototype #3 of the API preamp project, and if all goes well I'll finish up the KM84 based LDC mic.

I also have been in contact with a friend on a preamp project from the Amek M2500 console. I've worked on a variety of Amek consoles over the years including the 9098i, Mozart, Angela, and Big, but don't have any Amek mic preamps in my locker.

#500SeriesAPIClone
#FET847MicBuild

I'll try to remember to take a pic of the mic parts I will be using to finish up the FET847 when I go to the lab tomorrow.

#FET847MicBuild

OK, I finished prototype number 2 of the 500 series API preamp. I'll post pics some other time. I'm taking my time this weekend, and I'm taking a lot of breaks and chatting with the band who is tracking their new album in our studio.

I also got some parts needed to finish the FET847 mic which I'll hopefully be able to work on next weekend.

#500SeriesAPIClone
#FET847MicBuild

Need to relocate some mounting holes on the PCBs since I'm still working with REV1 prototype boards, then solder the transformers. Shortly after that I should have 2 more working API prototypes for the 500 series.

I'll work on that this weekend.

Then if I get lucky, next weekend, I might be able to finish one of those FET847 mics, which is the Neumann KM84 amplifier circuit modded for large diaphragm capsules. They're kinda like inexpensive mini U87i's.

#500SeriesAPIClone
#FET847MicBuild

Got FET847 board number 2 all soldered except for 1 cap. C2 can be changed to voice the mic with more or less bass depending on what capsule you choose to use. I soldered C2 on board number 1 to see what flavor I liked. Once I finish that one and see which cap is best I'll solder that value into board number 2.

Can't wait to hear these with the K47 style capsules.

#FET847MicBuild

Got FET847 board number 2 all soldered except for 1 cap. C2 can be changed to voice the mic with more or less bass depending on what capsule you choose to use. I soldered C2 on board number 1 to see what flavor I liked. Once I finish that one and see which cap is best I'll solder that value into board number 2.

Can't wait to hear these with the K47 style capsules.

#FET847MicBuild

Lazy Sunday. Soaking my GF bread in egg wash to make my French Toast. Is it just me, or does GF bread soak up the egg more slowly than regular bread? I seem to remember it going faster with regular bread.

I'll hit the cafe and chill in a bit, then after lunch I'll build FET847 board number 2. Then I need to do a few errands. Grocery store and Lowes.

#FET847MicBuild
#Soldering
#GlutenFree
#FrenchToast
#Cafe
#GreenTea

Did some work on FET847 board 1 today. It's done. That's the KM84 circuit modded for large diaphragm mic capsules. The 2nd pic shows how the PCB fits into the inexpensive BM800 mic body.

#FET847MicBuild

I alluded to this project in my last toot about the KM84 clones. The next project I will be working on is a large diaphragm condenser mic that uses the KM84 circuit modded for large diaphragm mic capsules. This is the FET847 mic.

The bag on the left contains the parts to build two of these mics. You also see the green PCB and the cute little inexpensive mic body that the PCB was designed to work with. These mic bodies are about $9 on AliExpress. Not German quality, but fun!

#FET847MicBuild

Ordered a few small parts for the #FET847MicBuild . Just some Switchcraft male XLR inserts which will be needed.

#FET847MicBuild

Oh, I forgot to mention this. I got those inexpensive mic bodies from AliExpress. Turns out they have a distribution center in NY somewhere? So it didn't take 6 weeks to get them.

Those will eventually become cool mics.

#FET847MicBuild