Topic: Deneke PS-2, AT8532

[Joshua Boyens]

Hello, I just sent my mics, SP CMC-8 (AT943), to Sound Professionals to get the modded for phantom power and I was planning to get the PS-2 for the phantom power.  I asked the guy at SP if it is possible to put mini-XLR connecters in the PS-2 so I don't have you use the adapters they provide, but I was told that you need them so you don't fry the mics.  Then he told me I could get 2 Audio Technica AT8532 packs to power my mics and then I wouldn't have to use the adapters as the AT pack has mini-xlr's built in.  He also told me that the AT pack would actually give a little more dynamic range because they will make the mics a little less sensitive.  I serched through TS and read all the information I could find about the AT pack, but I am still unsure about whether the PS-2 or the AT8532 (AT8533?) is better  .  Any info or help would be much apprieciated.  Thanks, Josh.

Here are a couple threads I found here that talk about the AT8532, AT8533:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=11679.0

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=12054.0

[jeromejello]

the at8533 and the at8531 are both phantom power adapters.  both have mini xlr f in and xlr male out.  the major difference is that the 8531 is ALSO a battery box that will power the mic with a single aa battery and it provides bass rolloff (eh).

if you are looking to stay lowpro you should get the at8533.  it is smaller and doesnt need a patch cord to plug into the preamp providing p48.

i have had both and i now only have the at8533.

[jeromejello]

oh, and just to clarify... the ps-2 (or any other p48 provider) is going to need one of these phantom adapters in the chain - otherwise *poof* fried mics.  it is not really an either the ps-2 or at8531 question... both are necessary to give the mics phantom power.

[Joshua Boyens]

Hmm so do the AT's provide phantom power or do you still need Phantom source?  Because I plan on just plugging the output directly into my Sony MZ-RH10 Hi-MD.  Also are you using 2 for both the left and right channels?

[jeromejello]

oh, and just to clarify... the ps-2 (or any other p48 provider) is going to need one of these phantom adapters in the chain - otherwise *poof* fried mics.  it is not really an either the ps-2 or at8531 question... both are necessary to give the mics phantom power.

the at modules are just adapters that are necessary to use in a chain that provides p48 power, but do not provide the power themselves.

[Joshua Boyens]

Thanks, so then the PS-2 would be the smallest way get phantom power.  I'll just have to deal with the adapters then!

[§†∑∫åµÞ≥¥]

you can also forego the mini-XLR's and get them adapted with the AT8533x's which are full-sized male XLR's and plus directly into a myriad of preamps for phantom power. I did the 'unmod' a year ago and have been very pleased with the results. (see my sig. below)

edit to add: I've used my unmod'd 933/853's with the preamps listed below, as well as a PS2, all with excellent results. the PS2 is probably your best bet for small size, but there are others slightly larger but still stealthable (MV100, Sound Devices MP-2, Sonosax....) if you have more of a budget or want to upgrade at some point. good luck!

[Joshua Boyens]

That all makes a lot more sense now.  Modding for the full sized XLR sounds nice, but I'm going to be stealthing the mic cables under my belt so the mini-xlr's would probably make more sense.  Thanks a lot for the help!

[poorlyconditioned]

That all makes a lot more sense now.  Modding for the full sized XLR sounds nice, but I'm going to be stealthing the mic cables under my belt so the mini-xlr's would probably make more sense.  Thanks a lot for the help!

The simplest (battery powered) solution is a 3-wire battery box:
  at853 (miniXLR) > 3-wire battery box > himd (mic or line in)

You could replace the 3-wire battery box with a combined 3-wire battery box+ preamp.

The point here is that there is no need to run at phantom power.  The mics run off a low voltage (5-10V typically), so a battery box supplies this.  The AT8533 adapter takes phantom power (48V) on the XLR and provides battery power (5-10V) on the miniXLR for the mics.  It also makes the signal balanced, which is good for long runs, but not necessary for short runs (like up your shirt in a stealth rig).

I'm not making battery boxes at the moment, but you could ask Chris Church to make one for you.

  Richard

[jeromejello]

That all makes a lot more sense now.  Modding for the full sized XLR sounds nice, but I'm going to be stealthing the mic cables under my belt so the mini-xlr's would probably make more sense.  Thanks a lot for the help!

just note that this mod is using the at8533x, another type of AT phantom power adapter that usually comes with the AT853rx version.  it is not a regular xlr connecter... it has circuitry in it that allows the voltage to step down to >9v so you dont fry the mics.