micparts V-251 tube microphone build

Complete build and test of a V-251 from micparts (microphone-parts.com).
This mic kit is modeled off the Telefunken ElaM 251, a multi-pattern tube mic designed and built by AKG for Telefunken around 1960. It’s a complete kit and has a lot of parts. The instructions were easy to follow, and although it was a long build, it was not difficult.
The mic body included in the kit is heavy. The threaded base, body tube, and inner rails fit together tightly and smoothly. The headbasket mesh looks to be 3-layers, and on mine a small section at the top was pulling away from the headbasket frame. Both the body and headbasket more closely match an AKG C12 than a Telefunken 251, with a long narrow body and a flat mesh top.
The included shockmount is maybe my favourite part of the kit. It’s not spring loaded, but has two thumb screws to tighten clamps that firmly hold onto the mic.
The PCB is thick, well laid out, and with easy to solder pads. All the parts accurately matched the full-color manual. Something to watch out for: R20 is positioned very close to the outer edge, and initially it was shorted against the inside body.
Another tricky part was getting the tube into the tube socket - it is a very tight fit. I had to hold the center of the socket against the corner of a desk while pushing down on the tube.
The capsule arrived packed securely in a plastic case. The hardware kit was missing a saddle screw (to attach the saddle to the mic base). micparts was quick to offer to send one out, but luckily I had a screw that worked.
This is the first full kit I've built from micparts, and I’m quite happy with the mic. Previously I've modded an MXL990 with their upgrade kit, modded a couple Oktava 319s, and built a Neumann u87 clone. Now for this build I had a lot more building/modding experience than those previous projects, but regardless it was my cleanest build. I’ve ran it through a few minor test recordings, and it sounded full and rich. I’m looking forward to using it in some upcoming sessions.

Пікірлер: 77

  • @bob-rogers
    @bob-rogersАй бұрын

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

  • @brookbilney761
    @brookbilney7613 жыл бұрын

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

  • @chriskeffer
    @chriskeffer Жыл бұрын

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

  • @DavidAndrewsPEC
    @DavidAndrewsPEC Жыл бұрын

    That was beautiful to watch!

  • @petegaslondon
    @petegaslondon Жыл бұрын

    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

  • @bobcat6653
    @bobcat6653 Жыл бұрын

    Very cool video, thanks!

  • @atroeds
    @atroeds5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @atroeds

    @atroeds

    5 жыл бұрын

    Kevin Cameron Thanks!

  • @LUVLUVBrand

    @LUVLUVBrand

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @MicParts

    @MicParts

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @justindavidson6917

    @justindavidson6917

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @PharaohLawLess1
    @PharaohLawLess1 Жыл бұрын

    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

  • @THUNDERWORX
    @THUNDERWORX5 жыл бұрын

    Great work!!!

  • @konradc4599
    @konradc45995 жыл бұрын

    Very nice sounding. Good job dude.

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

    thanks!

  • @WarerBrow
    @WarerBrow4 жыл бұрын

    super relaxing

  • @xEugene123x
    @xEugene123x5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video! Learned alot.

  • @zip7806

    @zip7806

    5 жыл бұрын

    Remember to Tin your tip.

  • @sixahem
    @sixahem4 жыл бұрын

    Learned something new 😎

  • @artysanmobile
    @artysanmobile2 ай бұрын

    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

    @kevinkace

    2 ай бұрын

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

  • @loganbuck17
    @loganbuck173 жыл бұрын

    great video thank you

  • @Necator4647
    @Necator46472 ай бұрын

    Um desses seria um sonho

  • @freethinksman4393
    @freethinksman43933 жыл бұрын

    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?

  • @matthatmusic
    @matthatmusic5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @HarvinderSingh-yy8th

    3 жыл бұрын

    This condenser microphone not dynamic.

  • @Al-qf1jj
    @Al-qf1jj4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @kevinkace

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Gainsforlife

    @Gainsforlife

    4 жыл бұрын

    Al check mic parts

  • @MicParts

    @MicParts

    3 жыл бұрын

    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 KZread. :-)

  • @bbensoy
    @bbensoy5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @garyshirinian
    @garyshirinian3 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @jezebelspencer4443
    @jezebelspencer44434 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @LeonPhythian69
    @LeonPhythian695 жыл бұрын

    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

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @MicParts

    @MicParts

    3 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @zaperfan
    @zaperfan3 жыл бұрын

    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

    @kevinkace

    3 жыл бұрын

    Just cracked open the build guide: 1N4759

  • @IliasPanteliasGR
    @IliasPanteliasGR4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @kevinkace

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @jeffreymcclelland2136

    @jeffreymcclelland2136

    3 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @photronic
    @photronic3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @xEugene123x
    @xEugene123x5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @xEugene123x

    @xEugene123x

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @MicParts

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @WOODENYOKE
    @WOODENYOKE5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @johnjackson8902

    @johnjackson8902

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @WOODENYOKE

    5 жыл бұрын

    ​@@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

    @v1o

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

    @MicParts

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @kyle27085
    @kyle270855 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kyle27085

    @kyle27085

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    5 жыл бұрын

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

  • @MicParts

    @MicParts

    3 жыл бұрын

    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 KZread. We'll be launching an edited tutorial video for that model soon too.

  • @anthemmakersmusic
    @anthemmakersmusic2 жыл бұрын

    Wear gloves oils on your fingers mess up the tubes

  • @elianschneider5068
    @elianschneider50682 жыл бұрын

    how huch did it cost

  • @HarvinderSingh-yy8th
    @HarvinderSingh-yy8th3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    3 жыл бұрын

    microphone-parts.com/

  • @Scott-dx7uc
    @Scott-dx7uc4 жыл бұрын

    could you do a U87 and TZ Stellar x2 comparison?

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Scott-dx7uc

    @Scott-dx7uc

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @kevinkace

    @kevinkace

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @Scott-dx7uc

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @HarvinderSingh-yy8th

    @HarvinderSingh-yy8th

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @ronedwards8239
    @ronedwards8239 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @donkeevney
    @donkeevney2 жыл бұрын

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