IMPORTANT: Please note that this mod only works on versions of these mics that use through-hole components. Some newer revisions of these mics may use surface-mount components, for which the mod will not work. If in doubt, open up your mic to ensure that the circuit uses soldered, through-hole components instead of surface-mount. Note that if your mics were manufactured before 2017, the mod will most likely work for your mic. If you are still unsure, open up your mic and compare the circuit board to the photo in this listing. Yours should be very similar to the one pictured here, although not necessarily identical--some minor variation (such as the inclusion of a pad or filter switch on the board) can be normal.
Also note that this kit works only on the early, pre-2002 version of the Nady SCM-900, that featured the same circuit and transformer-coupled output as the MXL 2001. Later versions of the SCM-900 use a completely different circuit with a transformer-less output, similar to the MXL 990, 603S, MCA SP-1, and V63M, among others. This later version of the SCM-900 can be modified using one of our other mod kits. View our other listings for more details. Now on with the show...
After receiving numerous requests from past customers, we're now offering our 2001 mod kit for the makes and models listed below!
ADK: A-51, Generis GC-1
Apex: 420, 430
Audix: CX-111
Cascade: M20U
Joe Meek: JM47
Nady: SCM-900 (pre-2002)
T.Bone: SC450
All of these mics share the same circuit as the 2001. The 2001 is one of MXL's most popular mics, and for good reason: it was one of the first truly affordable large diaphragm condensers to hit the market. These mics use a copy of the classic Neumann U87 circuit, so it's a proven, time-tested design. But did you know that their performance can be improved considerably by simply swapping out some of the stock capacitors for higher-quality parts? Here's how: high-quality capacitors can remove artifacts that lesser caps produce, that you only begin to notice once they're gone--because you thought they were part of the original signal. Transient response can also be improved, and distortion levels reduced. That's what this kit is for. We've spent countless hours researching these mics, sourcing the replacement parts, and documenting the modification process in pain-staking detail, so you don't have to. After performing this mod, you can be confident that your mic isn't what's holding you back from recording your next masterpiece!
This kit includes the parts needed to perform the mod on ONE MICROPHONE. If you are modifying multiple mics, you will need to order a SEPARATE KIT FOR EACH MIC. If you ordered one of our earlier MXL 2001/V67G mod kits, you'll notice that this kit includes more parts. That's because this new and improved kit replaces ALL of the stock capacitors in the preamp section of the mic's circuit. Note that we only use high-quality, name brand parts by WIMA, Nichicon, Kemet, and Xicon in our kits.
The following parts are included in each kit:
• (2) Polypropylene Capacitors
• (2) Polarized Electrolytic Capacitors
• (2) Metal Film Capacitors
• (1) Polystyrene (also called "styroflex") capacitor
• PDF download with 9 pages of detailed instructions and color photos explaining how to perform the mod
• BONUS: detailed instructions (with color photos) explaining the procedure for the popular "headbasket mod" for these mics
Upon receiving payment, I will mail your mod kit/s along with a slip of paper that contains the download link for the PDF instructions. In my experience, this mod should only take about 20 to 25 minutes per mic, and makes a noticeable improvement to your recorded tracks.
Also note that although the circuits in these mics are the same, the stock caps may vary from one make/model to the next, and may even vary from one mic to the next for the same make and model! For instance, we've (rarely) seen some of these mics that include a polystyrene or metal film capacitor (which are generally better quality) where others more commonly use ceramic (which are generally cheap and not so good). So your results may vary depending upon the quality of the stock caps that were used in your mic. All of that being said, for stereo recording applications (e.g., drum overheads, room mics, acoustic guitars, etc.), you may find that installing one of our kits in both mics will give you more consistent results, since all of the caps in the preamp section of the audio circuit will now be precisely matched.
When I first discovered this whole idea of mic mods a few years ago, I had lots of experience soldering the connectors to make and repair my own cables for my studio, but very little experience soldering on printed circuit boards. I had never modified a mic before, and was a little unsure of myself, so the first one took me about 20 minutes. Since then, I've done similar mods to dozens of mics for myself and my friends, and in most cases, I've had them done in probably no more than 15 minutes each.
I offer these kits for people who were like me--you want to try your hand at an easy, do-it-yourself mic mod, but you're unsure of which specific parts to replace and what to replace them with. And when you do find the parts you need (which can take many hours of research), you end up paying ten times the price of the parts just for shipping and handling! That's where our kits come in--we save you the time and trouble of identifying and sourcing the parts, and even provide you with detailed, illustrated instructions that you aren't going to find anywhere else. These mics can also be purchased new or used for very little money, so they make a great, low-risk platform for modification. Heck, the 2001 & V67G are two of MXL's earliest and most popular models, so you may already have a couple of extra ones lying around!
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Note: This mod does require some basic tools and soldering skills! If you aren't comfortable performing the mod yourself, I also offer a mod service in which case I will do it for you. Contact me for more details.
We also offer another mod kit for the MXL 990, 991, 600, 603, 603S, 604, V57M, V63M, V250, 2006, 441, 551, CR24P, MCA SP1, CAD GXL1200, GXL2200, NADY CM90, CM95, Apex 180, 185, Cascade M37, M39, and literally dozens of other models. Click the "See Other Items" link above (below our seller name) if you're interested in a mod for one of these mics.
Feel free to ask questions.