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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: nolajay on February 19, 2017, 09:52:08 PM
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Sorry if this is a really elementary question, but I've read so many of the postings here and I haven't seen this one.
I have both Church Audio and Core Sound omnis and cards for stealth recording. I have been using a Tascam iXJ2 for A/D and my iPhone as the recorder. I've gotten OK results with this, but I would like to eliminate the battery box and I want to step up to a better recorder.
I bought a Tascam D40 from craigslist ($95), thinking it would provide phantom power for the microphones. Now that I have it, I realize that it provides either 24 or 48 volts, plus I have to get am adapter to go from the 1/8" plug to two 1/4" plugs (I assume the microphones are unbalanced like the 1/4" would be). I gather that the microphones use 9 volts phantom power (I saw that somewhere on one of the forums here).
So my question is, among all the different brands of recorders (Tascam, Roland/Edirol, Sony, etc.) discussed on these forums, is there one which would allow me to simply plug in my microphones directly?
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There is really no such thing as 9V phantom power.
Phantom power is normally 48V ±4V.
There are also, lesser used, phantom standards of 24V and 12V - also ±4V.
Some microphones work from 12V to 48V ±4V.
Phantom power is *only* on balanced microphones and normally via an XLR (sometimes on a 3-pole standard jack, but not very often).
Low voltage power for an unbalanced mic. (normally from about 4V to 12V) is "plug-in power". This is for unbalanced electret mics.
Unfortumately I have seen some US companies calling "plug-in power" as "phantom power", but this is very wrong as it causes confusion and could damage a microphone.
For phantom power, you will need a recorder that has the XLR microphone connectors - and make sure that it can provide proper the 48V required and the current capability to power a pair of microphones.
The spec. states 48V ±4V and 10mA per mic. (most mics will require about 4mA on average).
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What you are looking for in a deck is "plug in power" usually supplied by the 1/8th inch input on miniature recorders.
Most miniature recorders supply less than 5V on the plug (some as low as 2 or 3V) so you will need a battery box/preamp for your mics to perform to spec in most instances. A million people have been burned trying to eliminate the batt box. Just use it.
I can say that the Marantz PMD620 supplies around 5V and I have used a pair of DPA 4060 directly into the input at moderately loud volumes with good results.
I took a quick look at the D40 and it's unclear just looking at the pictures if it actually has an 1/8 input. If you plan on keeping it I guess you could go mics > batt box > 1/4 inputs.
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Thanks for the clarification/advice.
You're right that the DR40 doesn't have 1/8" input (I thought it might but it doesn't). So if I stick with it it'll be as you say mics > batt box > 1/8 to 1/4 Y adapter > 1/4 inputs
Oh well...
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There are also, lesser used, phantom standards of 24V and 12V - also ±4V.
P12 is specified as +/-1V.
Thanks for the clarification.
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I have several ruined recordings from the period of time when I thought, "With decent mics and plug-in power, I don't need a battery box." It's a small price to pay for knowing you're getting the best out of your equipment.