CAD Condenser Mic Problem

[mcp6453[_2_]]

Like a dummy, I bought a CAD condenser mic at a pawn shop. It works, but not
well. The output is low unless I get close to the mic. Then the normal operating
level returns (like an AGC). After a while, it fades out again.

It looks like a bad capsule. Can someone explain what's actually happening?

[Scott Dorsey]

mcp6453 > wrote:
>Like a dummy, I bought a CAD condenser mic at a pawn shop. It works, but not
>well. The output is low unless I get close to the mic. Then the normal operating
>level returns (like an AGC). After a while, it fades out again.

Could be a couple things. Could be humidity. Could be the diaphragm is
damaged and shorting to the backplate until your breath shifts it. Could
be the electronics are oscillating.

>It looks like a bad capsule. Can someone explain what's actually happening?

Which model CAD is it? Some use tiny jellybean electret capsules, some
use bigger electret capsules, some use generic Shanghai capsules. All
fail differently. All are fairly cheap and easy to replace.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[mcp6453[_2_]]

On 10/2/2010 1:20 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
> mcp6453 > wrote:
>> Like a dummy, I bought a CAD condenser mic at a pawn shop. It works, but not
>> well. The output is low unless I get close to the mic. Then the normal operating
>> level returns (like an AGC). After a while, it fades out again.
>
> Could be a couple things. Could be humidity. Could be the diaphragm is
> damaged and shorting to the backplate until your breath shifts it. Could
> be the electronics are oscillating.
>
>> It looks like a bad capsule. Can someone explain what's actually happening?
>
> Which model CAD is it? Some use tiny jellybean electret capsules, some
> use bigger electret capsules, some use generic Shanghai capsules. All
> fail differently. All are fairly cheap and easy to replace.
> --scott
>


GXL2400

I'm going to try to get my money back unless someone here wants it by 2:30 ET
for parts for $25.

[Mike Rivers]

On 10/2/2010 1:24 PM, mcp6453 wrote:

> GXL2400
>
> I'm going to try to get my money back unless someone here wants it by 2:30 ET
> for parts for $25.

You don't wait very long for a buyer, do you? I can't
imagine anyone would want a non-working mic "for parts"
unless they have one with a banged-up case and yours is in
good shape, but stranger things have happened on line.

Why not wait until after the weekend and contact CAD:
and ask if they have a standard repair
charge for that model. It's not that great a mic, sells for
about $90, but if it's cheap enough to repair it might be
worth keeping.


--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson