R/E/P Community
R/E/P => Klaus Heyne's Mic Lab => Topic started by: BluegrassDan on June 12, 2018, 09:33:23 PM
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Hey folks. I was playing at Bonaroo this weekend and using my KM84s. Everything was fine during mic check.
A bolt of lightning struck VERY close to us. Sounded like a rifle - flash and bang at the same time. One of the KM84s stopped working (the output is very low, although seemingly not distorted). No other equipment was damaged.
I got them home, swapped capsules, and determined the capsule is fine.
I'm not saying that the lightning caused the malfunction - could have been coincidence - but could something have been damaged due to high SPL? Could this cause the FET or one of the old tanatlum caps to fail? Is there a particular area I should zero in on?
Thanks in advance!
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To check for proper operation of the FET measure the voltage at the drain (junction of R4, C4,C2 and S1). It should be close to 10V.
Very low voltage at this point, even near 0V could have various causes:
1.) C4 = 1µF/25v Tantalum leaky or short circuit;
2.) Zener diode GR1 = BZX45C24 leaky or short circuit, (any 24V Zener with 0.5W maximum power dissipation will do)
3.) C5 or C8 = 5µF/25V Tantalum leaky or short circuit
I doubt the transformer may have been damaged, but if in doubt, measure for continuity between the red and black leads of the primary, and between the white and blue leads of the secondary.
A shorted FET (T1 = 2N3819) would result in a voltage of around 2V at this point.
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Thanks so much for the info. The voltage at the junction you specified is very low (close to 0).
I'll start with the caps and see how it goes. Thanks again.
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If the FET is bad (hopefully not), is there a preferred replacement that retains the excellent sonic character of the KM84?
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You can obtain the original 2N3819, now made by Fairchild, from Neumann or any well-stocked parts house.
But you must properly bias it, otherwise the mic will have low or no output, will distort or be noisy.
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One more question. Is there a preferred type of capacitor to replace the tantalums? Would be hard to find any film capacitors small enough to fit. Would small Nichicon or similar electrolytic be okay?
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Nichicon, Panasonic, Elna... all fine and, at 63V rating, will fit.
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Thanks guy! I really appreciate the help.
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High static charges can puncture the gate insulation on some FETs, but usually not JFETs like the 2N3819.
With a close strike (little delay between flash and bang) and 100meV discharge anything is possible.
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Klaus and company,
A few folks I've talked with suggest replacing the old tantalums with new tantalums - that electrolytics will make the mic mushy in the low frequencies, and have only about 10-15 years of good life.
What say you?
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Okay. I have replaced the jfet, caps, and zener. Still the same issue.
There appears to be no continuity between the red and white wires of the transformer primary.
Could lightning have caused this?
What is the solution? New transformer? How hard of a job is that?
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The white wire is the inner connection between the two primary bobbins, and as such not a reliable way for a layperson to judge the primary.
Instead, unsolder the red wire from the circuitboard, and check between it and ground (where teh primary's black wire terminates) with an ohm meter for continuity, or measure roughly 600Ω.
If that connection is open, you have indeed a break in the primary wire, which renders the transformer dead.
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Thanks, Klaus. The transformer is dead. UGGGH!
Know where I can find one easily, or do I just need to scope eBay and forums?