Mic Mod Service Policies

Mic Upgrades/Mods

DIY Mic Repairs

Upgrade Process

1. You complete the "Service Request Form" (linked below) to describe what you want done to the mic(s).
2. You ship the form and your microphone(s) to us. See "Mic Shipping" below to avoid transit disasters.
3. We inspect and test the mic. See "Intake Testing" below.
4. We install the requested capsule, circuit, grille, etc.
5. We "burn in" the mic for at least 24 hrs.
6. We thoroughly test the mic to ensure that it is operating as expected.
7. We invoice for the requested services. (Exception: prepaid "mail-in" mods.)
8. You pay the invoice.
9. We ship the mic back to you.

Intake Testing

Microphones sent in for full capsule plus circuit replacement are exempt from our intake testing policy. All other mics sent for upgrades will be tested upon receipt.

If the mic is broken, intermittent, or noisy, we would not upgrade the capsule, because a new capsule will not fix a circuit problem. Similarly, microphones that are sent in for a circuit upgrade will be tested to ensure that the existing capsule is in good condition.

The reason for this initial test is that we don't want to spend your money on new parts if there is a risk that the mic will remain broken or suffer from sonic anomalies (noise, distortion, EMI/RFI, etc).

Microphones submitted for these partial upgrades but found to fail the intake test will be assessed a diagnostic fee (see below) so that we can cover our shop costs.

Mic Upgrade Fees

Modification fees are quoted by email. Let us know what mic you have, and what you want done to it.

The diagnostic assessment fee for a mic that fails our intake test is $50.

Repair Process

1. You complete the "Service Request Form" (linked below) to describe the problem(s) and the troubleshooting steps you've taken already.
2. You ship the form and your microphone(s) to us. See "Mic Shipping" below to avoid transit disasters.
3. We repair the microphone. If the needed repair is minor, e.g. replace a component or rework a few solder joints, then that's what we would do. If the microphone exhibits multiple problems, or resists minor repairs, or shows evidence of heat damage, then we would replace the entire circuit and/or capsule as needed to deliver a reliable finished microphone.
4. We "burn in" the repaired mic for at least 24 hrs.
5. We thoroughly test the mic to ensure that it is operating as expected.
6. We invoice for the requested services.
7. You pay the invoice.
8. We ship the mic back to you.

DIY Mic Repair Fees

The minimum bench fee is $50 for FET mics, $75 for tube mics. If we can repair your mic quickly, we would assess that minimum fee, plus return shipping. If we determine that the best repair would require replacing an entire circuit, we would invoice 50% of the cost of the circuit kit, plus $100-$150 for labor (depends on complexity), plus return shipping.