Do you guys think I should have my 414's modded?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:56 pm

I've always thought my 414's sounded a little harsh or brittle (the new ones, 414 BXL II), especially after getting my tlm 103 (or comparing them to my sm81's as drum OH's). and though running them through my neve or api clones or Sytek with the burr browns seem to help somewhat, i'm still wondering about this mod option that i've heard about.....
audioupgrades.com

anyone have experience with these mods? any other thoughts?

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:11 pm

Jim does great work, but you should call him to see if he'll do the new XLII mics. There is a ton of surface mount stuff in there that is going to be tough to work around.

I've heard what he does to BULS and it is nothing short of amazing. Makes them a usable mic- quiet, clean, transient, etc.. If anybody could fix those mics up, it would be him.

--Ben

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:07 am

As long as we're on the subject of 414's, I had a problem with the plastic insert on the mic clip breaking and no longer able to hold the mic tight in place.

I looked into replacement and the list is over $300!!!!! for a mic clip!!!!

I know its a good one but.....

Anybody else know of a good substitute? Currently I'm just wrapping gaffers tape around the base of the mic for a snug fit.

Phil

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:32 am

If you're not worried about shock mounting it, the AKG SA40 mic clip fits - it also fits D112's, KM84's, 468's, etc...

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:11 am

The Shure A53 donut shockmount is a snug fit, but it does work relatively well. Also gives you a shockmount for a fraction of the price.

--Ben

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:30 am

SMT Should not be a problem, its asctually easier to work with in a lot of ways.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:25 pm

HELL NO YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE YOUR 414's modified. Go ahead, destroy their value. Don't like the way it sounds? It's called eBay modifications. You sell that one and purchase the one that sounds right for your purposes. Dammit! I'm a professional and I purchase the items that sound the way I want them to not to reinvent the wheel better than some carefully thought-out Austrian already has. It's counterproductive and destroys its value. And you really don't want to destroy the value of a $1000 microphone now do you? That's certainly wouldn't be prudent. Plenty of other fish microphones in the sea of microphones to choose from. Get real.

414BULS owner and former P48 owner
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:32 pm

LOL- Some of us enjoying modding our toys, its all part of the fun. However Remy is right your resale value will likely go down. But of course you will have a mic you won't want to sell.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:03 pm

well gee Remy, why don't you let us know how you really feel? Laughing

anywho, i am kind of starting to lean that way anyway....
since i have another pair of LDC's (the tlm103) i'm thinking i might just sell the 414's in favor of single tube or ribbon mic....

kiwi anyone?

though that might be a bit more than i'll get for the 414s....

any other suggestions?

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:50 am

Your 414 sounds harsh because you have the wrong one. The II has boosted highs for solo vocals. You want the XLS, which is flat.

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