Element soldering

Hi, Pac

It is not difficult at all. However if you've never soldered before - know that too much heat for too long can damage the element. In the case of Shure CM and CR elements it can melt the plastic through which the terminals run, loosening the terminal. At the other end that terminal is conected to "angel hair" wires coming from the coil and if that connection gets broken it can be nearly impossible to fix. 

I use a temperature-controlled soldering iron. Make sure the you "tin" (meaning, put some solder on it) both the end of the wire and the terminal BEFORE you solder them together. That way, you will minimize the time required to make the joint. Put the ire through the temrinal, then heat just long enough for the solder on both parts to melt - and you're done."Plus" and "minus" really don't matter on mic elements - there is no "wrong" way. Hooking it up "backwards" only affects the PHASE of the output signal relative to the input. But by convention, when looking at a Shure CM or CR from the back with the terminals toward you, the left one is the "+" side. THEORETICALLY the sin wave output signal should be on the positive side when the sound pressure wave is positive. Again - don't get hung up on this. In practice this just doesn't make a difference until more than one mic is involved. 

If this is a CRYSTAL element, know that they are MORE susceptible to damage from soldering heat when poor technique is used.  600 degrees F is about right, and with proper tinning of terminal (then let it cool) and lead, very little time should be required to make the connection. (Very little time should be required to tin too. )

Finally - you need a proper gasket to hold the element in the shell. It provides shock protection, but also dynamic elements (and CM/CR elements) need the front side sealed from the back side to perform properly.

If you need a gasket - I make 'em - contact me by email at greg@blowsmesaway.com. I need to know BOTH the element and the shell.