[Elecraft] D-104 Element Replacement

[JR]

Do any of the mics you mentioned have frequency response curves similar
to high articulation mics like the original Astatic D-104? or the
vintage Heil HC-4/5  ???
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Howdy! Good question, Tony.

Yes, some electret capsules and maybe fewer dynamic cartridges have the 
frequency response curve you seek, although it is somewhat difficult to 
separate them from the larger herd.   One  must research each response 
curve graph or learn of one from a vendor or mic expert to narrow the 
field to what you seek.    A lot of microphones have a response curve 
and tone pattern like the famous Shure SM58, about the most popular 
vocal mic in the past 40 years. One exception is the AudioTechnica 
MB1000L, from the AT Midnight Blues collection, which has the thinner, 
more articulate sound you mention.   You just have to do you  homework 
to find one like that.

Some guys use particular capacitors to modify the tone of a particular 
microphone, thinning or thickening the tone by rolling off high or low 
frequencies.  For example, in a related application, Leo Fender used to 
ad a .1 uf capacitor to roll off the bright, almost harsh tone of a 
Fender Telecaster electric guitar.   Modern players use different 
capacitor values because they feel Leo's pick makes bass tones sound 
thick, dull and "muddy."    The point is, you might  mod a particular 
microphone to achieve the frequency response curve and "tone" you 
desire.    Therefore, if you cannot find a particular capsule or 
cartridge that suits your taste,  you might modify one to complete the 
task.  OR - you might employ a microphone pre-amplifier and/or outboard 
equalizer or mixer with EQ controls to achieve the desired result.   As 
another op mentioned yesterday, HEIL stopped selling multiple 
cartridges, as so many modern transceivers have adjustable transmit EQ 
to achieve the desired result.

Someone mentioned the $20 BM-800 electret condenser microphone which 
looks like a larger, more robust large diaphragm studio microphone, but 
has a much smaller, less capable condenser capsule.    And yet it DOES 
sound OK, PROVIDED you use it carefully and speak close to its sweet 
spot (best speaking distance for best S/N etc. ) - but I find it is 
comparatively noisy compared to   a) higher quality, slightly more 
expensive larger diaphragm condenser microphones - e.g., the Behringer 
B1,  and compared to    2) a performance style dynamic  microphone, such 
as the Sennheiser e835.   Bob Heil correctly explains why he does not 
favor condenser microphones - they tend to be much more sensitive and 
capture more ambient noise in the shack,  as they say in the business, 
that type of capsule can "pick up a gnat's fart across the room"  (sorry 
for being crude, but that IS what THEY say!)    A close-talked 
performance type dynamic cartridge captures less ambient noise when 
transmitting.  They also tend to have more narrow response curves which, 
as another op suggested,  may be better suited to producing 
communications audio.

So, you pays your money and you takes your chances.   Do due diligence 
and find the mic that suits your voice and objectives best.   Good luck.

Just a few ideas.   Good Luck.  K8JHR