Topic: Solutions for C1000S x2 > PCM-M10

[Doctor Slump]

I've got a pair of AKG C1000S mics and a Sony PCM-M10, and I'm looking for a simple solution to hook them up. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!

[johnw]

You could have a dual XLR>1/8" cable made and run them from 9V. Or buy a preamp with an 1/8" out like the Sound Devices MP2. If you have a price range, that would help narrow it down because there are probably 50-100 options to do what you want.

[Doctor Slump]

My price range is around $200. Is there a decent all-in-one preamp/phantom power device that would do the trick? Also, would the dual XLR to stereo 1/8" cable option provide enough output from the mics without a preamp?

[johnw]

$200 definitely limits things. I've seen a few Wendt X2 pres go for $300 and rarely an MP2 for $350. A UA5 would be in your budget, but it has only RCAs and headphone out and they go through a DA after the AD conversion. Maybe ask mshilarious to build something for you. A tinybox preamp might work. Check out the retail section. I think you could get enough gain from the M10 to get away without the preamp, but it would probably sound better with a pre.

[Todd R]

The littlebox preamp from Naiant.com (made by member mshilarious on ts.com) is $209, and is an excellent preamp, esp for the money.  Do some searches on it to get more info, including comps of it vs a Lunatec V3 and EAA PSP2.  If you want to go with an external preamp, I'd highly recommend it, particularly since it is one of the few options you have at your budget.

Jon/mshilarious is also developing a smaller preamp called the tinybox with a little more limited connector possibilities, gain, metering, etc, but using the same preamp circuit structure.  I think he is already accepting orders on his website and it should be available in a few weeks.  $179, including an internal li-ion battery that should run it for ~20hours.  This could be another option -- again, do some searches on ts.com to learn more about it.

All that said, since the C1000's are battery powered, you may well only need the proper cable (2x XLR > 3.5mm stereo mini) and you'd be all set.  Pretty good feedback on the quality of the mic input on the M10.

[Belexes]

This thread does scream Littlebox as your solution.  Would be perfect.

[yltfan]

If you want to stay WAY under budget, get 2 9v batteries, 2 xlr(f)>rca adapters, and a dual rca>1/8" cable. Less than $25. Or get a nice xlr>1/8" cable. No need for phantom power with those batteries, and they last a pretty long time.

[ashevillain]

Just a thought: At one point when I had the C1000s I ran them using line transformers. You could either use the internal 9v for power (or power them using phantom power...Denecke PS-2) > line transformers > line-in to the PCM-M10. This would bypass the mic preamp of the recorder.

[Doctor Slump]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try the cable first, and see how that sounds.

[dgodwin]

Just a thought: At one point when I had the C1000s I ran them using line transformers. You could either use the internal 9v for power (or power them using phantom power...Denecke PS-2) > line transformers > line-in to the PCM-M10. This would bypass the mic preamp of the recorder.

Same here.  I used these but there are other options out there...

[Doctor Slump]

Be sure to wire as per the C1000S instructions--they should a grounded pin 3, so it might be transformer out.

I don't quite understand.

[illconditioned]

Just a thought: At one point when I had the C1000s I ran them using line transformers. You could either use the internal 9v for power (or power them using phantom power...Denecke PS-2) > line transformers > line-in to the PCM-M10. This would bypass the mic preamp of the recorder.

The mic in on the M10 is excellent.  Low noise and low distortion.  I would avoid transformers unless you need more gain, eg, to run dynamic mics, or to run a recorder with more noise on the inputs (eg., Edirol R09).  The simplest solution is to battery power the mics and run mic in (low sensitivity) or get a phantom power supply to power the mics.  Either way, analog mic in on the M10 is excellent and probably better than most  preamp solutions, at least those below MP2 or Grace V2, or similar.

  Richard