We Don’t Need No Stinking Badges!

We have a

For years, my rebuilt mics came dressed up with epoxy badges and even a custom paint job. It was fun, it looked cool, and it gave each mic a bit of personality. But if I’m honest: it was also the most stressful, anxiety-inducing part of the whole build.

Bending, aligning, and epoxying badges was a delicate game of “don’t screw this up.” One slip and the whole mic body had to be stripped or scrapped. I had bending jigs (various PVC Pipe pieces) for each mic body. The trick was to slightly over bend the badge (but not too much). Same with paint—between prep, curing, and touch-ups, I was spending way too much time playing arts & crafts when what I really wanted to do was focus on the guts.

Because the guts—the capsules, transformers, and circuits—have always been the point. And that hasn’t changed one bit.

Enter the Laser

Starting September 2025, badges and custom paint are retired. Every RockScience mic now ships with:

• A laser-engraved RockScience logo
• A permanent build configuration code, so you’ll always know what’s inside

It took a few ruined mic bodies and hours of testing to dial in laser settings for the dozens of mics I work on. But now the process is clean, precise, and consistent. And yes, I look very relaxed in my green safety glasses standing next to the Omtech galvo fiber laser. Those “mistakes” will most likely end up in my mic locker – the same way the mechanic always has the most beat up car.

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The Build Config Codes

This is actually the coolest part for me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to open up a body during a session to remember which mic had which transformer or which was a TL, etc.

Section	Code	Meaning
Capsule Type	47	K47-style capsule
	12	CK12-style capsule
Electronics	TL	Transformerless
	TC	Transformer-coupled
Transformer Variation	C	Cinemag
	A	AMI
	3	3U Audio
	N	Neutrik (lo-fi)

Examples:
12TC.A → CK12 capsule, transformer-coupled with AMI
47TL → K47 capsule, transformerless
47TC.C → K47 capsule, transformer-coupled with Cinemag

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About the Finish

I’m stepping out of the painting business. Paint looked cool but was messy, inconsistent, and not where I want to spend my time.

Some mics will now get a flat black finish (engraving shows up beautifully against it). Others work best left as bare metal, with engraving standing out on the surface. Each product page has recommendations on which finish suits that mic best.

I have a lot of photography to re-do for a lot of different mics. Here are a few shots of some bodies. I’m not De-Badging any bodies that are already badged, but I am adding the build config to them.

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The Guts Haven’t Changed

This is important: the electronics, capsules, and mods are exactly the same. The only thing that’s different is how the mic looks on the outside.

So if you already own a RockScience mod with a badge or paint, don’t worry—you’ve got the same great guts. You just own a piece of RockScience history from the arts & crafts era.

The future, though? It’s laser-etched.

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🔧 Nerd Alert: The Laser

For those who like to peek behind the curtain: I’m using an Omtech 20W Galvo Fiber Laser with a Rotary Chuck to do all engravings. Powered by LightBurn, it’s basically the “DAW for lasers.” Settings have to be tuned for each mic body’s finish — stainless, brass, painted aluminum. The diameter and taper of each mic body has to be carefully meassured — and I’ve wrecked more than a few bodies figuring it out.

Here’s a little LightBurn screenshot for the curious. This is the file for a painted 990

Laser For Hire

I’m not going into the engraving business, but I’m considering opening up this laser engraving as a service for other DIY-ers. Got a body you want marked with your logo or config? Let me know — if there’s enough interest, I’ll make it a thing.