New Brown Biscuit
Hi Fritz,
I just got a new (to me) brown biscuit in the mail today with a crystal element. I'm pretty new to mics but to me, it definitely sounds better than my Shure 520DX but how do I know if the crystal is "good" or "bad"? Is it recommended to switch it out for a CM/CR or should I just wait until it craps out?
Also, I know I want to put a screw on connector on it. Where can I go to get this done or is this something I can or you recommend doing myself?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Taylor
Thanks for the advice Fritz. I recognized it as crystal element from your lessons. So does this mean when my crystal element goes out the only other option I have is to try to find another crystal element? I'll try to keep it in a zip-loc bag per your advice. This Northwest weather (even this time of year) is pretty wet.
-Taylor
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Hello Taylor,
Regarding replacement elements for the ASTATIC Biscuit: There are ideal, preferable, and less preferable element substitutions. The ideal for both ease and results would be an element that is an automatic fit and it would kick butt. The simple solution would be to find an ASTATIC crystal or ceramic element as they're suited to the diameter of the grill and shell (a new gasket would likely be needed as the foam gaskets from this era of production tend to dissolve like the head of foam on a warm microbrew) and aren't adversely affected by the shallow shell. I'll clarify the CM/CR-to-Biscuit comment here: The SHURE CM/CR element will certainly work when properly installed in the Biscuit shell (tight gasket, complete front/back seal). Lordy knows I've seen and done plenty of those conversions myself. It's just that the depth of the CM/CR leaves little room within the shell, and the CM/CR being active to its rear "likes" a bit more space in back of it to produce lower resonant frequencies. Compare this with packing a 12" speaker into an infinite baffle "box" cabinet with barely any clearance around it. Something's lacking in the speaker's performance... Of course there are methods of compensation for the Biscuit/CM/CR mismatch: Turn up the bass EQ and goose the volume. Still, we're talking "preferred" scenarios. In the end, whatever delivers the sound you like is going to be the winner. Best case scenario? The original crystal has a long & happy life.
Sounds good. Thanks Fritz. I'll try to give you a call this week or next about that screw-on connector mod.
ROGER THAT. OVER.
Welcome aboard Taylor,
Great picture! I see a Harp Hero statue in your future. As for your new Biscuit (likely an ASTATIC MODEL 30) and its element: If it is in fact an original crystal and is putting out a substantial signal you can count your blessings. That's "GOOD"! If it were to softly wheeze or remain silent, that's "BAD"! My advise is to utilize it as long as it's healthy since they are becoming ever less plentiful. Eventually you may need to replace it, but 'tomorrow's another day'. Besides, the MODEL 30 isn't an ideal vessel for the CM/CR element. The 520DX comparison is a case of apples & oranges as they are completely different creatures. It will simply depend on what you're looking for.
As for the addition of a thread-on output connector and making the mic modular: It's the single most practical improvement you could make to improve the mic's dependability. Altho not a difficult 'mod', being you're new to mics (and likely vintage crystal elements) you might want to let experienced hands handle this. One bad move with a soldering iron and that element could go bye-bye. Further questions? Just give me a call...