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Author Topic: Microphones  (Read 19723 times)
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WA1HZK
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« on: February 05, 2019, 07:14:45 PM »

Guys
I saw this on E-Bay and figured it could not be true so I of course ordered one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/322352317950
It came in today and I asked Brent, W1IA to test it for me.
He unplugged his B-1 and plugged this in and guess what? Worked Pissa and sounded better then the Berringer!
Under 30 bucks!
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« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2019, 07:41:15 PM »

Questions:

- As it is a condenser mic do you need to supply a power source?

- Do you use an impedance matching transformer?

I'd like to try one to use on AM with my Viking 2.

Rich
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WA1HZK
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« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2019, 10:57:17 PM »

It does require a phantom power supply.
It's a low Z mic so it should drive a Viking just fine as the Viking is Hi Z. Maybe a series resistor once you figure out what phase works best for you.
We will be doing some more testing this week to get more opinions but so far we think it sounds great.
As far as the rest of the accessories, they look to be a copy of the B1 mic and decent quality.
For 29 bucks, how can you go wrong.
Keith Clark
WA1HZK

If your in the northeast give me a freq. and time and we will let you hear it.
wa1hzk@usa.net
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« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2019, 12:41:10 AM »

Keith, I could not believe it either, when Brett, N2DTS announced that he had one.  I ordered a couple, one for the shack in the den, and one for the downstairs radio room. 

I was quite impressed.  I tried it with my Mackie 1202VLZ board which provides the requisite phantom power, and I was duly impressed.  It even came with the a cable with  XLR connectors.  How unusual!

The only thing I found a bit short was the boom, I would have liked a longer span, but considering the cost, the boom was a freebie.  Great deal!  Thanks for sharing!
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K1JJ
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« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2019, 12:10:02 PM »

Wow.  That has got to be the best Chinese electronic deal I've ever seen.  The XLR cables OR the boom ALONE would normally cost more than $29..... never mind a good-sounding condensor mic, spit shield, shock mount, boom, pop filter, accessories, etc.   Slave labor or not, that is amazing.  And freeeee shipping. WTF.   (1850+ sold)

If I didn't already have an RE-20 and boom setup, I'd order one right now.   No excuse for anyone to run a Turner 2+2 anymore and complain about the high cost to upgrade. Would we call this  "simulated BC quality?"

(If I were a "high-priced" US mic manufacturer, I'd be very, very afraid...   Shocked )

T
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« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2019, 05:14:49 PM »

I'm in ....
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« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2019, 06:08:36 PM »

Excellent resource regarding "Large Diaphragm" condenser capsules:

http://recordinghacks.com/capsules/

Most manufacturers (with some "designer" brands included), use one of the listed capsules.. Chances are that other than Shure, Neumann, and some Russian and Australian models, almost all capsules are manufactured in China. This all means that other than the internal noise figures (self-generated by the mic preamplifier, and almost irrelevant on the HF bands), these Ebay specials probably sound just as good as the expensive "designer" ones.

 Wink

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« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2019, 07:47:39 PM »

Too good to pass up!  Thanks for the tip.  bill
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W1IA
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« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2019, 07:19:55 PM »

What a pleasant surprise! After complaining about my Bheringer B1 going south, Keith shows up with a gift. I plugged in the BM800 Chinese microphone and too my surprise it sounded Great!
It came with the boom, cables and computer USB dongle etc. The specs are the same as the B1. The element is the same gold sputtered design as the B1. For the whopping sum of $28, you too can have big Kung-Fu audio. HA!

Thanks Keith!

Brent W1IA
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« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2019, 07:26:19 PM »

Does the USB dongle supply phantom power?
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K1JJ
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« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2019, 08:42:26 PM »

What a pleasant surprise! After complaining about my Bheringer B1 going south, Keith shows up with a gift. I plugged in the BM800 Chinese microphone and too my surprise it sounded Great!
It came with the boom, cables and computer USB dongle etc. The specs are the same as the B1. The element is the same gold sputtered design as the B1. For the whopping sum of $28, you too can have big Kung-Fu audio. HA!

Thanks Keith!
Brent W1IA


Yo Brent!

Yes, their Kung-Fu is exceptionally strong. I feel a tremor in the force.

But you'd think they could come up with a better name than "Voilamart."  What the heck is a Voilamart anyway -  a Chinese suburb of Walmart?      

I'd like to nominate the mic name as "GoldFinga."

Listen to this link while viewing the jpg below for the full effect:   Grin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D1nK7q2i8I

T


* GoldFinga.jpg (250.27 KB, 1600x1600 - viewed 310 times.)
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Use an "AM Courtesy Filter" to limit transmit audio bandwidth  +-4.5 KHz, +-6.0 KHz or +-8.0 KHz when needed.  Easily done in DSP.

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W4EWH
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« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2019, 06:49:25 PM »

I saw this on E-Bay and figured it could not be true so I of course ordered one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/322352317950

I've ordered one too, but I have a question: the "you may also want" ads that came with the receipt included an offer for a 48 volt phantom power supply.

How much bias does this mic require to operate? TIA.

Bill, W4EWH
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« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2019, 10:55:32 PM »


I've ordered one too, but I have a question: the "you may also want" ads that came with the receipt included an offer for a 48 volt phantom power supply.

How much bias does this mic require to operate? TIA.

Bill, W4EWH

I assumed it would require 48v, and found a comment in the reviews of one that indicated it did require 48v phantom power.  Probably not a problem since it will likely need a preamp anyway.

I bought one, too, although I don't really need it.  But for the price — what the heck :-)
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Steve - K4HX
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« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2019, 11:29:01 AM »

Violamart! Trademarked no less. I ordered the silver version and it was a dollar less. Go figure.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BM-800-Condenser-Microphone-Studio-Recording-Mic-W-Stand-Shock-Mount-US-NEW/264075497939?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160323102634%26meid%3Db39033e242b1497bbeb0f185c8a834c5%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D322352317950%26itm%3D264075497939&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

And there's a kit without the USB, thingie, $8.63!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BM800-Audio-Vocal-Studio-Condenser-Microphone-Kit-Arm-Stand-Shock-Mount-SH/123539952993?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3D52b8c486412841678977e590922742db%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D322352317950%26itm%3D123539952993&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

If you just want the mic, $8.88! They even have one in pink.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Condenser-Pro-Audio-BM800-Microphone-Sound-Studio-Dynamic-Mic-Shock-Mount-KTV/153362737110?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D55675%26meid%3Dc07ea9ceacd44c98ab7fd770402e599e%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D322352317950%26itm%3D153362737110&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982
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KL7OF
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« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2019, 11:48:18 AM »

So what is the usb adaptor for?  can you plug this mic into your computer ?  does the computer supply the phantom voltage?
I have a couple of these Chinese condenser mics..different brands, both say "Bejing Audio" on the pc board inside..
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Steve - K4HX
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« Reply #15 on: February 10, 2019, 12:09:27 PM »

Looks like it converts the mic input to digital and USB format and also provides an analog headphone monitor/output.


* usb thingie.jpg (174.55 KB, 1062x1063 - viewed 316 times.)
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« Reply #16 on: February 10, 2019, 01:33:00 PM »

These things must be some really serious junk … someone else on eBay has the mic and shock mount for sale for $5.69 including shipping from China. Grin
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WA1HZK
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« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2019, 04:21:42 PM »

The proof is the guys that bought the microphones.
And the fact that no one can tell the difference from the $100.00 B1.
And it now comes with a Kung Fu rating of 8.9 on the Mongo Scale.
Keith
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« Reply #18 on: February 10, 2019, 05:31:29 PM »

I've been using these cheapie 1 inch diaphragm condenser mics for about 15 years. I bought one 10 years ago for about $30. As NBC posted, they all use the same diaphragm/cartridge. For amateur radio use, the cheapies are just as good as the higher priced mics.
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K1JJ
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« Reply #19 on: February 10, 2019, 05:42:42 PM »

It's such a great deal it makes me wonder....

What if your country (China) was imposed tariffs and wanted to fight back? What would be an effective way that nobody could stop without drastic measures?  How about flooding the opposing market with tons of products that work well, but are many times below the cost of production?  Like the mic Steve highlighted...  $8 for a mic, shock mount and stand -  plus free shipping from China. Who is absorbing the loss, the gov't?

How could a competing US company possibly stay in business assuming the product quality is similar to theirs?

I wonder if there are other markets, electronics included, getting flooded right now?

Hey, intense competition is part of capitalism, so am I wrong to even consider this possibility?

T

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« Reply #20 on: February 10, 2019, 06:11:15 PM »

Well you could be right.
And if you are, better grab these while they are there.
Because the new treaties are likely to change things.
Keith
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« Reply #21 on: February 10, 2019, 06:23:21 PM »

Well you could be right.
And if you are, better grab these while they are there.
Because the new treaties are likely to change things.
Keith


I think so.  We all know a great deal when we see one and this will be gone, no doubt.

This could also be a shot across the bow to show what they COULD do if they wanted.

Either way, the latest eBay says they have sold 98% of their $30 GoldFinga inventory...  assuming they don't have more in the warehouse.

"1,854 sold      More than 98% sold    Free shipping"

T

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Use an "AM Courtesy Filter" to limit transmit audio bandwidth  +-4.5 KHz, +-6.0 KHz or +-8.0 KHz when needed.  Easily done in DSP.

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There's nothing like an old dog.
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« Reply #22 on: February 10, 2019, 07:44:36 PM »

Is there a great Chinese economic conspiracy to sell cheap microphones or is it just Chinese culture?

Check out "There is a Huge MORAL CRISIS in China"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLnFVzfKBs
YouTube has 'age restricted' the video since I first saw it.
But it can also be directly viewed here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/China/comments/acx6n6/there_is_a_huge_moral_crisis_in_china/

More videos from this YouTuber can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/serpentza/videos
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« Reply #23 on: February 10, 2019, 08:45:26 PM »

Not sure who they would be putting out of business. Those buying Electro-Voices, Neumanns, AKGs and the like won't be being the Gold Finga.
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« Reply #24 on: February 10, 2019, 10:00:57 PM »

Yup, just bought another for myself.
This year, small upstairs station.
Smiley
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