Topic: Tinybox: which mics make a good match?

[sunjan]

I've been eyeing the Tinybox, but most threads involve Schoeps = $$$$.

Are there any other mics that make a suitable match?
Form factor would have to be reasonably stealthy, there's not much point going for a tinybox for open taping.

Given that I already have a 3-wire CA-9100, and happy to run my AT853s with it, I assume that there are some (better) mics that the 9100 can't drive due to voltage or other issues. Which?

What about mics that require phantom power in general? Let's take a mic where the specs say "Phantom power: 24 - 48V" (in my case a Line Audio CM3, http://www.lineaudio.se/linemicdata.htm)
There's no way I could power these with a Tinybox, right?

[fmaderjr]

It doesn't look that way. 16 volts is the max.
From Naiant site:
tinybox Specifications:
Type: two-channel microphone amplifier with high-current output
Phantom Power: +16V supplied across 1.65KΩ resistors or +12V supplied across 680Ω resistors, 14mA maximum current per microphone

[page]

Off the top of my head I'd say the AKG 460/480 set (runs 11-52v) and the beyerdynamic ck/mc 900 series which are the same voltage reqs.

[tcf]

Nevaton mc 49 are supposed to run off of 12-48 volt power.

[John Willett]

MBHO microphones are a good alternative to Schoeps and, I would say, equal in quality but very reasonable priced.

The spec. says 16-48V phantom, so would work from the 16V of the Tinybox.

I hope this helps.

[JasonSobel]

Off the top of my head I'd say the AKG 460/480 set (runs 11-52v) and the beyerdynamic ck/mc 900 series which are the same voltage reqs.

With the beyerdynamic CK930's, I believe that Jon could make you a tinybox that would power the caps directly, and then you'd have an even smaller setup.  The caps need +48v polarization voltage, and if I recall correctly, the tinybox can provide that (though not +48v phantom, because the available current at 48 v is too small for phantom power, but suitable to power the caps directly).  There is already one user who has a littlebox made to power the beyerdynamic caps directly, but I believe that a tinybox is capable of the same.  check with Jon to be 100% sure.

[bluelawn]

my Milabs (VM-44 Links) seem to have no issue with the lower power setting on my littlebox

[audBall]

Phantom Power: +16V supplied across 1.65KΩ resistors or +12V supplied across 680Ω resistors, 14mA maximum current per microphone

Would a 600Ω output mic would match well with the 12V version, assuming its powering requirements are met?

[sunjan]

With the beyerdynamic CK930's, I believe that Jon could make you a tinybox that would power the caps directly, and then you'd have an even smaller setup.

That's definitely interesting. Are the capsules for sale individually anywhere, or would I still have to buy the kit with the phantom adapter?

For the other mics with separate phantom adapter, like the VM44 Link or my AT853Rx: IIUC, I'd still be running the mics with the phantom adapters in the chain, right? So I'd get a custom Y-cable between the adapters and the Tinybox, is that correct?

[JasonSobel]

With the beyerdynamic CK930's, I believe that Jon could make you a tinybox that would power the caps directly, and then you'd have an even smaller setup.

That's definitely interesting. Are the capsules for sale individually anywhere, or would I still have to buy the kit with the phantom adapter?

If you contact a beyerdynamic dealer, you can probably get them to place a special order for just the capsules (either the CK930 cardioid, or the CK950 supercardioid capsules).

[OOK]

MBHO microphones are a good alternative to Schoeps and, I would say, equal in quality but very reasonable priced.

The spec. says 16-48V phantom, so would work from the 16V of the Tinybox.

I hope this helps.

maybe the 603/603A's are but the 648/648A's are a straight 48V.

[nicegrin]

I use the tinybox with my Beyers (CK930) with great results. Love the tinybox! I actually have 2 of them!

[tcf]

Nicegrin, canu give some info on your miniplug mce 400s. Can these be run off the tinybox?

[OOK]

I use the tinybox with my Beyers (CK930) with great results. Love the tinybox! I actually have 2 of them!

Could you clarify.....is this the mic caps>cable>mic body>tinybox

or is it

mic caps>cable>tiny box     no mic bodies  ? 


Peace OOK

[page]

With the beyerdynamic CK930's, I believe that Jon could make you a tinybox that would power the caps directly, and then you'd have an even smaller setup.

That's definitely interesting. Are the capsules for sale individually anywhere, or would I still have to buy the kit with the phantom adapter?

If you contact a beyerdynamic dealer, you can probably get them to place a special order for just the capsules (either the CK930 cardioid, or the CK950 supercardioid capsules).

I was told no from a couple of places when I picked up the 950s; kits only per the american beyer office.  I honestly wish you better luck and encourage you to call, maybe you'll get a different answer. The bummer is the components have a price structure similar to neumann where the caps are $$ and the bodies are cheap. To compound matters, they will sell the bodies separately (a set of bodies is like $250usd), but not the caps.  Now, supposedly you can call the German office (and/or dealer in Germany) and they will do it, but you have to deal with someone there specifically and it wasn't worth it to me for the cost of the bodies.

Also, be careful about anything outside of what your preferred vendor has in stock or the US distributor has in stock cause it then has to come from HQ. When I special ordered my 930s (had them matched in Germany), it took an additional month, so I was out like 6 weeks or so from order to carry. I've been told today that my 950s will show up at the US distributor in the first week of February, and I'll have them in hand around Valentines Day, 7 months after ordering. (again, matched, same seller) 

If I was going do it over again and try and skimp on bodies, I'd do it on the 930s since I think they make more of them and more often, and pick up the bodies on the 950s which it seems tougher to find standard sets for sale. I'd even be tempted to take whatever the US distributor had in hand for the 950s and just live with it.

//slightly salty.

I use the tinybox with my Beyers (CK930) with great results. Love the tinybox! I actually have 2 of them!

Could you clarify.....is this the mic caps>cable>mic body>tinybox

or is it

mic caps>cable>tiny box     no mic bodies  ? 

It can be set either way. I don't know if you can do both (as settings) on a single box though, that is something that may have to be specified when you order one (either/or). Jon can elaborate on that.