Session Test Microfoni a Condensatore

Holidays? Pokémon? Pornography?

Much better. A total session where we roll out the entire Braingasm catalog alongside the finest microphones in circulation.

The goal of this test isn't to determine who's better or worse, but simply to listen, evaluate, and discuss nuances, tones, spatiality, and attitude, setting an upper limit and understanding 'how far we can go' in designing a good studio microphone.

We spent a very nerdy day at Avalon Studio in Montefiascone, in the company of Luca Gentili and Alfio Scoparo, listening to all the Braingasm condenser microphones on vocals, guitar, and drums, comparing them with the best from Neumann, Schoeps, and AKG.

---

This is the list of microphones we tested:

Neumann U 47 - 1960

Neumann U 67

Neumann U 87 Ai

AKG 414 ULS

Schoeps CMC 5

comparing with our Tube 47 and Soviet 67 , plus the J-FET’s Deluxe 12, Deluxe 36, Deluxe 47

---

We can't wait to share all the news for the upcoming year, including a new lab, collaborations with the best artisans in Rome, and projects in the pipeline such as studio outboard gear and preamps...

Meanwhile, enjoy your holidays. It's been a year full of achievements, all thanks to you incurable enthusiasts.

See you in September,

Rock 'n roll

Teo.

Tube 47 - Braingasm Custom

My Neumann U47 needed functional restoration, and once it returned back, shining like the sun, it gave us an idea: a Braingasm-branded valve U47.

Aware that we were stepping onto the field for the Champions League final, we got to work for many months, studying the original schematics and various "clone" projects, testing the Neumann in all its aspects to discover its versatility, and soldering away. Finally, we are ready to present it.

Like other handmade microphones born in the lab, this is not just another U47 clone or replica in circulation. We aim to create something innovative, inspired by the genius of our predecessors. Always keeping in mind that the Braingasm Lab’s mission is to offer high-quality sound at an affordable price for everyone. We seek to move forward, not sideways.

Before diving into the usual technical details, we are publishing the beta test of the finished microphone, compared to the original Neumann and a Braingasm Deluxe with a Gefell M7 capsule, the flagship model of our transistor series. The microphones are positioned as close as possible to each other, about 3 meters from the drum kit. The preamp used is a Tubetech. Check out the sound:

We have a long testing session planned where we aim to be as comprehensive and precise as possible, appreciating the performance of our new tube microphone on vocals, electric, and acoustic instruments. For now, we'll settle for these three tracks. Follow us to hear the rest.

After treating your ears with some snare and kick, let's finally move on to our beloved technical details:

---

Let's start with the body, made in Europe with CNC machines. Like the original model, the grille has three levels of mesh, the basket is made of copper, and the body is anodized aluminum. We experimented with other models, shapes, colors, and materials, but the nuclear torpedo has always been the hands-down winner.

Braingasm Tube 47 - Long Body

Neumann U47 Short Body (1960)

---

We've maintained the original layout and point-to-point wiring on the sides of the transformer, ensuring that the high-impedance area is as close as possible to the capsule and valve. Our electronic design differs from the original in many aspects, including the capsule biasing circuit and the tube’s power supply voltages. Among various options, we've chosen a Telefunken EF800, powered according to specifications.

NOS Telefunken EF800 tube, AMI BV8 transformer, MKP film capacitors

VF14 M tube, BV8 original transformer

---

Finally, the capsule is a Thiersch STW7 transducer (M7 Red Line). Soon, we'll also test fitting a vintage M7 Gefell. The original Neumann U47 mounts a KK47.

Thiersch M7 Red Line capsule

Neumann K47 capsule

Sud Sound System Signature

Four identical microphones, in the style of the Neumann U87, solid, customized, and colorful. In summary, the specifications that Paolo Panella, sound engineer for Sud Sound System and director of the Roman record label Altipiani, requested to develop a series of signature studio microphones for the masters of Salento's Raggamuffin, Sud Sound System. So far, so good, indeed, as they say in Rome, da paura (awesome).

The first knot to untie concerns the colors. My proposal for a Jamaica/Ethiopia-style pattern is a big hit with the band. These are the color samples I sent for approval. I suggested replacing the yellow color of the Ethiopian flag (in my opinion, not very suitable for a microphone) with an entirely golden headbasket, a touch of 'gangsta' class. Don RIco, Terron Fabio, and Papa Leu approved the proposed models in the photos, while Fernando 'Nandu Popu' preferred the classy look of Braingasm, with a chrome basket and matte black body.

The first step in obtaining four identical microphones (the real challenge of this job) is matching the capsules. Fortunately, the first great help comes from our Capsule Test Bridge, a high-impedance electrometer built by Calrec laboratories in the 1970s to measure the capacitance of a condenser electroacoustic transducer with extreme accuracy. The crown jewel of our laboratory, a priceless relic for a nerd of my caliber.

Knowing the capacitance of a capsule greatly facilitates calculating the microphone's sensitivity, but it is not enough to guarantee the maximum matching. Another step is to measure the frequency response of each individual capsule and choose those that are most similar to each other based on the tolerance one decides to respect. For my matched models, I consider differences of 1.5 dB on individual portions of the spectrum acceptable, considering that small inaccuracies can occur in the placement of the test capsule in relation to the source (pink noise).

Once this is done, we move on to the circuit. For the occasion, I decided to create a superior version of the usual Deluxe circuit, implementing a 2 Giga Ohm MOX resistor and selected Fairchild J305 JFETs.

Furthermore, the DC-DC converter section for capsule polarization has been modified for a voltage of 72 volts instead of the usual 62 volts. Additional improvements have been made to the ground plane and the capacitors on the signal path.

The film capacitors are all WIMA 5%, the TDK COG/NPO ceramics, and the ELNA low ESR electrolytics. All resistors are Vishay-Dale Military with a tolerance of 1%.

It's time to give the Phantom and have a beer.

Finally, the packaging, always handmade as Braingasm tradition dictates.

The interior of the box is made of neoprene and lined with black velvet.

The birch plywood boxes are painted with a water-based impregnator and engraved with a laser CNC.

For the occasion, we also had the band's logo engraved.