Philip OKeefe Posted January 22, 2001 Share Posted January 22, 2001 Hi everyone: I have a friend who gave me an Altec 626a Electret condenser mic. It is nickel colored and is about the size and shape of an AKG C-451 but maybe not quite as long, has a cardoid capsule (that unscrews - removeable) and a battery compartment in the middle of the body. The entire top half actually unscrews. The battery compartment was empty when I got it, but it looks like it takes an off sized battery - shorter and fatter than a "AA" battery. It also has a detatchable semi ball shaped windscreen / pop filter that came with it. So, if anyone has any info about this mic, I'd appreciate it if you'd pass it along. Specifically, I'm wondering: What type of battery does it take? (Doesn't seem to run without one (ie with 48V phantom applied to it). Did Altec make their own mics or was this OEM'ed by someone else? When were they made and what did they run when new? Frequency response graph would be great, but now I know I'm asking for WAY too much! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Any comments appreciated. Thanks. Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GigaBoy Posted January 22, 2001 Share Posted January 22, 2001 Phil, Someone also gave me one of these as a bonus in a multiple mic deal. The battery is a 1.35 volt. In the Varta brand, the battery is a V1PX. I've found my 626a to be usable on hi-hat, until I acquired KM84s and C451s. Don't use it much now that I have the Neumanns and AKGs, but it was totally usable on hat. GigaBoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted January 23, 2001 Author Share Posted January 23, 2001 Thanks GigaBoy! Any idea on where to purchase batteries or how long (in hours) they seem to last? My curiousity is killing me, and I'd really like to try this thing out. Have you ever considered selling your 626a? I might be interested if I can get mine up and running and like the sound. Thanks again for the info! Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GigaBoy Posted January 23, 2001 Share Posted January 23, 2001 Phil, I looked around a bit and found another battery for the 626A. I think it's one that I got at radio shack. The little bag that it is in is labeled "CNB-PCIA 10282945". Perhaps this is a number that your battery shop may cross to besides the Varta number I gave you earlier. I've had this mic since my early years in Hollywood, bought it along with a wonderful C-37a. It is a swell sounding and good looking mic. Mine, however, appears to have been dropped on its head making the top side louver narrower on one side than it is on the other............. wait, ,, I just fixed that with a greenie. Anyway, no one's been knocking my door down to get to this thing lately. Anymore for apps that might be suitable for this mic, I instinctively reach for a KM84, leaving the 626 like a red-headed step child. So if after hearing yours, you just gotta find another, give me a shout at GigaBoyAV@aol.com. I can see why it has got your curiousity up, it is a really cool looking mic. I always seem to forget ot turn this one off so that is an inconvenience. I don't recall the batteries being cheap either. Good luck with it. GigaBoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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