Topic: Idiot question - how to connect and power Countryman B3 mics please?

[yates7592]

I am in the process of purchasing a pair of low sensitivity Countryman B3 mics. I want to run them as a pair to record live music in very loud bass-heavy situations. I currently use a Church UGLY preamp and Edirol R09-HR. What is my best option for purchasing in the connection end and how can I then connect that to my preamp/recorder?

I understand that the pig-tail option is most versatile as then presumably the two mics could be terminated in one 3.5mm plug (?). I have no wiring or soldering knowledge/skill whatsoever so i would have to get a professional to do that for me. I presume that would then feed into the preamp to power the mics. Is the Church UGLY (same as 9100) ok for this application? I'd rather not buy another preamp as i really like this preamp already. 

Or i could go for the XLR 3 pin version. Could I use a standard 2 x XLR to 3.5mm pin adaptor cable to connect into the preamp or the recorder? This seems the simplest (but most expensive) way for somebody like me who can't do wiring etc. Would this overload either the preamp or the recorder? If i use the XLR are the mics already powered so i could just go mic in? I have heard you can go mic in and use the R09 power but is that really true for max SPL situations?

Or is there another way to use these mics as a pair with another connection end option?

Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to order the wrong mics and regret it later. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[udovdh]

Search and thou shall find:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=138486.msg1794505#msg1794505

[yates7592]

Yes, thanks, i had seen that link but, probably due to my inexperience, it didn't seem to answer all my questions.

My basic concern is (i) If i buy 2 x pig-tail B3 mic's, can I get someone (who knows what they're doing and follows the advice given in the link) to wire 2 x B3's into one standard 3.5mm plug? If yes; (ii) can i then safely plug this 3.5mm plug into my Church Ugly preamp and R09-HR without overloading/blowing either the preamp or the recorder? (iii) If not, and i get 2 x XLR, is there any way of plugging these into the preamp or recorder using some sort of connector or adaptor? (iv) are there any other options i'm missing here?

[ArchivalAudio]

It should work fine
check with Richard known as  illconditioned   if that sounds like it would work
he may reply here
for someone to do the work for you check with some of the cable makers on the TS boards
--Ian

[yates7592]

Thanks for that re-assurance, I look forward to Richard / Illconditioned giving me his advice.

[ArchivalAudio]

you can try to PM him
and try PM'in g some of the cable makers here
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=96346.0
and see if they could hook you up

--Ian

[Dede2002]

you can try to PM him
and try PM'in g some of the cable makers here
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=96346.0
and see if they could hook you up

--Ian

Don't bother. He does not reply to PM.
Take care

[illconditioned]

you can try to PM him
and try PM'in g some of the cable makers here
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=96346.0
and see if they could hook you up

--Ian

Don't bother. He does not reply to PM.
Take care

That is correct.  I ask that everyone first read/search the threads.  If something is not there, post a question so everyone can get the answer.  I will try to answer questions, but real life sometimes gets in the way.

  Richard

[yates7592]

you can try to PM him
and try PM'in g some of the cable makers here
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=96346.0
and see if they could hook you up

--Ian

Don't bother. He does not reply to PM.
Take care

That is correct.  I ask that everyone first read/search the threads.  If something is not there, post a question so everyone can get the answer.  I will try to answer questions, but real life sometimes gets in the way.

  Richard

I looked through all the threads and couldn't find a definitive answer to whether running 2 x B3's through a Church Ugly preamp will be ok. Any advice?

[ArchivalAudio]

you can try to PM him
and try PM'in g some of the cable makers here
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=96346.0
and see if they could hook you up

--Ian

Don't bother. He does not reply to PM.
Take care

That is correct.  I ask that everyone first read/search the threads.  If something is not there, post a question so everyone can get the answer.  I will try to answer questions, but real life sometimes gets in the way.

  Richard

Ahh yes life!
I have a 1 month old little boy ... things are different
sorry if I led anyone astray
--Ian

[printguy]

Why are you buying the B3? What made you choose that mic?

I have a feeling that you want something tiny for stealth applications so why not look at the Church Audio CAFS mics? Tiny and will work with what you have - no modifications needed.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

The B3 isn't much larger than the CAFS. If you can't stealth with the B3's you can't stealth with anything. Especially if you run the B3's directly into the recorder.



I'd be willing to bet the B3's sound quite a bit better as well.

[yates7592]

The B3 isn't much larger than the CAFS. If you can't stealth with the B3's you can't stealth with anything. Especially if you run the B3's directly into the recorder.



I'd be willing to bet the B3's sound quite a bit better as well.

From listening to the samples on Richard's website i think the B3's certainly will sound a lot better than Church mics (although i have 2 pairs of these and they are very good mics in themselves). In terms of spec the B3 seems at least equivalent to DPA4061 (sensitvity and SPL) and several people on here say they are a better sounding mic all round. I will post some samples of my first show when i've got them wired up....

[printguy]

Better or worse wasn't a factor in my suggestion; just ease of use... By buying them from Chris you can get him to wire them how you want.