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R/E/P => Klaus Heyne's Mic Lab => Topic started by: J.J. Blair on January 03, 2017, 11:49:23 AM

Title: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 03, 2017, 11:49:23 AM
In 2008, I had Udo at MTG reskin an M7 capsule for me. Since then, it has sat unused in its airtight container that they shipped it back in.  In 2009, I bought a blue line M7 from Thiersch, which has resided in one of my U47s. 

This week, I happened to take a look at the MTG capsule, as well as the Thiersch, and they are already developing the familiar PVC cracks.  (pics soon)

This leads me to the question: Why on Earth would anybody use PVC in this day and age, if the rate of decay is that fast? 

I have some original Berlin M7s, and have been thinking of sending them to Thiersch, but at this point, I wonder if it's better to do them in Mylar.  (Thoughts welcome on that.)

Title: Re: the instability of PVC
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 03, 2017, 12:00:22 PM
Here's the MTG.
Title: Re: the instability of PVC
Post by: klaus on January 03, 2017, 01:45:39 PM
Thanks for sharing.
Of course, "Udo" does not reskin capsules, he is MTG's marketing guy who was hired away from BMW a few years back, and seems to be doing a good job in that capacity.

Why would anyone even contemplate using PVC with its time bomb potential as membrane material?  Because it can sound like god on an M7 backplate. At least it could, in the distant past, before ca. 2000, when the PVC formula had to be changed, due to environmental concerns. So why would anyone use it today? Ignorance, and the hope that someone will some day soon stumble upon the chemical formula that can revive the magic.

I have had Thiersch and Gefell reskin original Neumann/Berlin-made M7 with Polyester/Mylar and the sound was in all cases limper and less engaging in the crucial upper midrange than the similar-sized Neumann Mylar K47.

So what would be the point of reskinning an M7 with Mylar? In an age when you don't even have to deface the original M7 mount of a vintage M49 or U47 anymore (Neumann and Thiersch make ready-fit K47 capsule columns for these mics): none.
Title: Re: the instability of PVC
Post by: Dan Popp on January 03, 2017, 02:45:42 PM
Mr. Heyne, since it seems you're recommending replacing aged M7 capsules with K47 capsule assemblies, would you describe how that will change the sonics?  Thanks very much. 
Title: Re: the instability of PVC
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 03, 2017, 03:38:02 PM
Thanks for your thoughts, Klaus.
Title: Re: the instability of PVC
Post by: klaus on January 03, 2017, 03:42:11 PM
First, to be clear: ALL alternatives to the genuine Neumann M7 PVC will change the sonics. The relevant question: which is the most acoustically and emotionally pleasing, option?

Thiersch's M7 PVC lacks in speed - that three-dimensional quality which lends the original its "reedy" quality, and it is also quite congested, rather than transparent, in the upper mid range, resulting in sibilance.

MTG had excellent PVC capsules in all of their mics until ca. 2000, which were equal in listening satisfaction to those made by Neumann in Berlin. But as the company currently does not sell stand-alone capsules, it's not even worth discussing sonic shortcomings of their current crop in detail, but they are in the same general direction as those of Thiersch.

Neumann's K47 - when they are at their best*- are equal in emotional draw to a healthy Neumann or pre-2000 MTG M7 PVC, but they draw from a different sonic terrain: their authority rests on the superb rendering of the lower mid range octaves, and they don't quite have the pointed "liquid gold" high end of the M7, yet make up for that with their rich yet robust lower register. 

Given all currently available choices, I recommend to collectors, who continue to use their vintage Neumanns as superior recording tools as well as investments, to go the K47 route.

* It is worth mentioning that all capsules discussed here can stray significantly in response, and therefore quality, from sample to sample. Neumann, which has probably the tightest capsule manufacturing quality control in the business, specs most of its LD mics ±2dB across the response range. From my measurements, the mic amps are usually within ± 1dB from mic to mic, even back in the tube days; therefore, the 4dB spread is almost entirely due to capsule tolerances, which remain unavoidable, given the handmade nature of the product.
Title: Re: the instability of PVC
Post by: klaus on January 03, 2017, 03:49:18 PM
In 2008, I had Udo at MTG reskin an M7 capsule for me. Since then, it has sat unused in its airtight container that they shipped it back in. (...)

This week, I happened to take a look at the MTG capsule, as well as the Thiersch, and they are already developing the familiar PVC cracks.  (pics soon)

Curious to learn how it sounds, compared to the Thiersch? Or even compared to a still-healthy Neumann M7, if you have such a thing?
Title: Re: the instability of PVC
Post by: Dan Popp on January 03, 2017, 04:02:39 PM
Neumann's K47 - when they are at their best*- are equal in emotional draw to a healthy Neumann or pre-2000 MTG M7 PVC, but they draw from a different sonic terrain: their authority rests on the superb rendering of the lower mid range octaves, and they don't quite have the pointed "liquid gold" high end of the M7, yet make up for that with their rich yet robust lower register.

Thanks!
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: AusTex64 on January 04, 2017, 10:37:30 AM
JJ, how bad does the Thiersch PVC M7 look? I have one that's about two years old in an AMI kit I bought from Oliver. Been contemplating installing a Neumann K47 in the mic, turns out I might have to in a few years, based upon your findings.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: soapfoot on January 05, 2017, 09:11:51 AM
Question/speculation alert:

I wish we had a plastics expert to readily consult with the question-- perhaps Klaus knows someone? But having a bit of limited experience with plastics breakdown in other contexts, I wonder if the "airtight container" could've actually contributed to the accelerated demise of the PVC?

For instance, I know that celluloid plastic, which also has an unfortunate auto-destruct feature built in, can last MUCH longer if exposed to the open air than if sealed in a tight container.

One classic example is vintage Gibson guitars-- the pickguard/fingerrest releases toxic vapors as it breaks down, and the vapors themselves actually accelerate the process, resulting in a feedback loop. Pickguards from guitars kept on stands exposed to the open air have been demonstrated to maintain their integrity for decades longer than those who have spent their lives in closed cases where air doesn't as readily circulate.

I wonder if something similar could possibly be at play here? 8 years does not sound like a very long time for a PVC capsule to break down, particularly when there are still decades-old original examples in good working order.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: boz6906 on January 05, 2017, 11:03:40 AM
It's called 'outgassing', emitting volitile organic compounds, causing the PVC to lose flexibility and become hard & brittle.

I would speculate that, like paint, you would want an air-tight container to prevent the PVC from deteriorating.

http://www.consumer.org.my/index.php/products/106-household/206-pvc-plastic-products-outgas-poisons
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: Kai on January 05, 2017, 12:45:20 PM
The container itself can be the reason for problems, by outgasing destructive chemicals.
And don't forget the electrolytic capacitors, ALL of them do outgas to a certain amount.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 05, 2017, 12:50:38 PM
I'll take a picture later of the Thiersch, which was not in an airtight container.  It also has the problem.

I never listened to the MTG, which is why it's still on the UM57 mount. 

I actually have an old K47 that I was going to put in the U47 with the Thiersch, but I seem to be short a K47 mount, and can't find any online.  When I get around to it, maybe I'll try the MTG also, and see how they all sound. 
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 05, 2017, 12:52:51 PM
The container itself can be the reason for problems, by outgasing destructive chemicals.
And don't forget the electrolytic capacitors, ALL of the do outgas to a certain amount.

There's no electrolytics in any of my U47s. 
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 05, 2017, 05:58:21 PM
Here's the Thiersch.  Those pock marks in the crack are interesting, too.

Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: Kai on January 06, 2017, 03:56:15 PM
Why not ask Mr. Thiersch, he might have information on this topic.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: Dan Popp on January 06, 2017, 06:53:31 PM
At the level of degradation we're seeing in these photos, is the audio noticeably compromised?  How bad does the diaphragm have to look, I wonder, before one can hear that something's not right? 
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: klaus on January 06, 2017, 09:18:51 PM
There is no straight-forward, easily identifiable, connection between the level of weather-checking on PVC diaphragms and audible performance deterioration.

All PVC diaphragms develop cracks after a few years, but the bifurcation of the single capacitor plate into many smaller ones, and thereby the deterioration of performance, can only be heard (higher noise floor), measured (loss of capacitance), or triggered into malfunction by strong moisture or SPLs (thunderous discharges which only ebb slowly).

The severe, deep cracks and pointed indentations as part of the cracks J.J.'s Thiersch capsule shows would give me concern, though. But he is good for warranty exchanges, in my experience.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 06, 2017, 10:38:18 PM
Good to know, Klaus.  I might hit him up about that. 
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: gtoledo3 on January 08, 2017, 10:05:22 AM
There was a bit where MG had just shifted over to mylar, were delivering mics with M7 that way and weren't really saying much about it. That was a good idea!

Yes, it is an impossibility of physics for that film to sound exactly the same as PVC. However, no one complains when it's on a K47.

For my money, the Thiersch Redline has a sound that is useful and different enough from a Neumann k47 to justify having it available; a certain type of smoothness on the top, perhaps some more lower mids. Bonus, it doesn't disintegrate.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: klaus on January 09, 2017, 12:42:29 AM
There was a bit where MG had just shifted over to mylar, were delivering mics with M7 that way (...)

Just to be clear: Microtech Gefell has offered M7 with Mylar and PVC diaphragms since the 1990s.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: J.J. Blair on January 10, 2017, 08:47:31 PM
So, I decided to A/B the Thiersch M7 against a couple K47s yesterday.  The K47s were both cream ring versions, and were pretty damned similar.

When I got the M7, I remember it sounding a tad darker than the K47s, but warmer, and having a touch more lower mids.  Now, it's maybe a touch brighter than the K47s, but leaner in the bass.  The K47 is more harmonically complex though, and more satisfying.  The M7 seems to suffer from more proximity effect, but a larger margin.  Much less presence and low end from a distance of over 18 inches. 
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: gkippola on January 13, 2017, 11:59:09 AM
My 1955 Tele U47 polyester M7 is still awesome sounding,  cracks and all----
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: klaus on January 13, 2017, 12:17:13 PM
That's quite rare.
And: surely you mean "PVC" as polyester was not yet invented in 1955.
Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: boz6906 on January 14, 2017, 08:29:47 PM
"Carother’s incomplete research had not advanced to investigating the polyester formed from mixing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. It was British scientists – Whinfield and Dickson who patented PET or PETE in 1941. Polyethylene terephthalate forms the basis for synthetic fibers like Dacron, Terylene and polyester.

In 1950, the Dealware property of duPont manufactured another polyester fiber, which they named Dacron.

Later that year, the first polyester fiber – Terylene – was created by Whinfield and Dickson along with Birtwhistle and Ritchiethey. Terylene was first manufactured by Imperial Chemical Industries or ICI.

It was in 1946 that duPont bought all legal rights from ICI. In 1950, the Dealware property of duPont manufactured another polyester fiber, which they named Dacron. Mylar was introduced in 1952. Polyester was first introduced to the American public in 1951 as the magical fabric that needed no ironing! PET and PEN are duPont trademarks that have turned the use and consumption of Polyester around."

http://www.whatispolyester.com/history.html


Title: Re: The Instability of M7 PVC Capsules
Post by: klaus on January 15, 2017, 04:17:11 PM
You are correct. I should have been more precise by saying that in 1955 polyester had not yet been invented or used as substrate for capsule diaphragms. That started around 1958, when the first K49 were introduced and used in M49. U47 continued using the M7 until around 1959/60.