Front-Facing Capsule Mod - Rode NT1-A
If you plan on using the NT1-A's outside and they are still under warranty and you haven't tested them under high-humidity yet, it might be wise to do that before you perform this mod as it voids the warranty.
The only advantage to the mod is being able to mount the mic horizontally. I made some before-and-after tests and I could not detect any difference by ear, but there probably is a very slight change in polar pattern-- for sounds coming directly from the rear.
Its pretty easy, just go slow and make sure everything is preped/aligned before applying any glue.
1) Remove the two small phillips head screws near the base and slide of the mic housing. A little twisting can help.
2) Put a fresh blade in your hobby knife or use a new razor blade. Cut the capsule from the two supports where the posts meet the capsule. Of course, be careful not to touch the capsule front ot back.
3) Trim off any remaining bits of the post from the capsule sides that you can. The clearance inside of the housing is pretty tight.
4) I use diagonal clippers to square-off the tops of both rubbery posts. Make sure both are the same height. Don't trim off any more height than you have to.
5) You'll have to un-solder one of the leads to the PCB in order to lay the capsule down 90 degrees. Be sure to note where the lead was attached.
6) After they are "freed," the posts can lean-in a bit. Practice positioning the capsule on top of the untl you find a resting spot where the capsule is not tilting and is centered. Usually, a little of the top of each post will be aligned just inside the rubber cover of the capsule. Centering itis important so it will not touch the grille of the housing when you slide it back in.Oh yes, the leads are on the back side, the other side is the active "front!"
7) When you are ready, glob a pea-size amount of Shoe Goo on the top of each post and carefully place the capsule on making sure it is centered and horizontal (not tilting). You can adjust it for a couple minutes but be careful to not let ithe backside of the capsule touch a globby posts. If there's a tiny bit of tilt but the capsule is perfectly centered, I live with the tilt.
8) Let it dry for 24 hours. Check to make sure its still centered. If its way off, cut through the Shoe Goo to free the capsule and try again.
9) Slip the unattached wire lead back through the opening. Exend this lead with about 1" length of 24 guage stranded wire and solder it back to the right connection on the PCB.
10) Slip the housing back on. If the capsule is off-center enough to touch the grille, it will make more handling noise than usual, In that case, cut through the shoe goo and try it again.
Rob Danielson 04/06