Topic: [PT 2] M-Audio MicroTrack 2496 - *actual* real-life experiences thread

[Nick Graham]

From DAT Heads, courtesy of everyone's favorite online retail salesman:

From: "Len Moskowitz" <moskowit@core-sound.com>
Subject: Re: M-Audio's MicroTrack 24/96
Reply-To: "Len Moskowitz" <moskowit@core-sound.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:22:25 -0400 (EDT)

Guy Clark wrote:

> It's possible that the MT2496 had a similar limitation on its phantom
> power output that the CoreSound MIC2496 does... if you measure the
> voltage open circuit, I expect that it will probably be 48 to 50VDC.
> Load it down with a couple of microphones, and the voltage will drop
> to some other voltage.
>
> In my case, with the MIC2496, my TOA-KY mics pull the voltage down to
> less than 9VDC, and drain the battery in minutes, rather than hours.
> The TOAs pull too much current for the DC/DC converter in the MIC2496.
> Mics that draw less current will have a higher voltage seen on the
> lines.

Mic2496 is designed to provide up to 4 milliamps total of 48 Volt
phantom power.  That's more than enough for the large majority of
microphones.  Its voltage will not drop below a nominal 48 Volts as long
it is not asked to provide more than its specified current.  If you see
the voltage drop, it means that your mics require more current than it
can supply -- you should not use those mics with Mic2496 unless you
power them from an external Phantom Power supply like our new 2Phant.

In contrast, MicroTrack 24/96 was designed to provide only 30 Volts with
no load, a rather odd voltage for phantom power -- no other manufacturer
that I know uses that voltage.  And when loaded even lightly, its
voltage drops rather dramatically.

[Ed.]

"my product doesn't work right? - must be your non coresound binaural microphones, try my new product..."

seriously, i've had no dealings with the guy, but his constant advertising is a bit much.  kinda reminds me of the used car salesmen that always advertise repeatedly when the local news is on.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

What I don't understand is the crazy price he's charging for his new phantom box.

[The Kilted Taper]

I brought it up before, but haven't seen any replies, but has anyone tried running AT853Rx's with the phantom on? The mics aren't listed on m-audio's site (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=7fb377f3ef962038a26bc5c2291bafc1).

[jefflester]

I brought it up before, but haven't seen any replies, but has anyone tried running AT853Rx's with the phantom on? The mics aren't listed on m-audio's site (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=7fb377f3ef962038a26bc5c2291bafc1).

AT853Rx are spec'd 9-52V @ 2mA, so they certainly should be okay.
http://external.fullcompass.com/ImageFromDB.aspx?imgid=2224&srctbl=doc

[tonyvt]

The Microtrack 2496 will not power my MBHO 603's and they are designed to run on 16V to 48V.

I tested my Microtrack with my buddies 184's to determine if possibly there might have been a problem
with the phantom on my MT and it powered them up fine.

Any buddy else out there have a chance to test their MBHO's with a Microtrack?

[John Kelly]

Aren't MBHOs some of the most power hungry mics out there? 

[tonyvt]

Aren't MBHOs some of the most power hungry mics out there? 

Good point. I have also heard that these microphones are power hungry and was wondering if there is more to the phantom issue than just the 30V
that the MT is supposed to support. I have never run into any problems with my UA-5 or Sonosax with these microphones.

[Brian Skalinder]

Aren't MBHOs some of the most power hungry mics out there?

Yup:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=1904.0

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Not really..

MBHO 603                    15-48                 4.5
MBHO 648                      48                  1.9
MBHO 440 + 410              22-48               1.8/2.5
Earthworks                    48                  10

The Earthworks mics are Really power hungry.  Sound Devices came out with a free mod for any 722 just for Earthworks. All the new 722s have it.  Somehow, I don't think we'll see that from M-A 

I think the gotcha here is CURRENT.  A mic that draws 4 mA at 48 volts is expected to draw 8 mA at 24. Do we even have a current spec from M-A?

[Colin Liston]

I am running Microtech Gefell 210 > MT right now.  I am actually getting levels...this might actually  be working...

EDIT:

This thing seems to actually work with and power the Gefell's nicely.  The Gefell's seem a lot hotter than most mics, so I think this will work well.

EDIT:
Tested both DPA 4023's and Gefell 210's, new firmware, with phantom power on, and gain on "H", all through the 1/4" TRS inputs.
Both seem to work just fine, the levels are a little shaking and have to figure out fine tune them, but overall I am happy.

I'llhave to see what happens at a show.

[L Ron Hoover]

I am running Microtech Gefell 210 > MT right now.  I am actually getting levels...this might actually  be working...

Good news!! Hopefully it works out well. Thanks for testing the MG's.

[Brian Skalinder]

Not really..

Not relative to the Earthworks, no.  But relative to most other mics, they're about double the current draw.  Good point about the higher current at lower voltages - sounds like the likely problem.

[The Kilted Taper]

I brought it up before, but haven't seen any replies, but has anyone tried running AT853Rx's with the phantom on? The mics aren't listed on m-audio's site (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=7fb377f3ef962038a26bc5c2291bafc1).

AT853Rx are spec'd 9-52V @ 2mA, so they certainly should be okay.
http://external.fullcompass.com/ImageFromDB.aspx?imgid=2224&srctbl=doc

Thanks for that reply, but I'm really looking for someone that has tried it with success before I drop $300 I don't have on this guy. Really wanted to use it with just the mics for stealth situations.

[jefflester]

I brought it up before, but haven't seen any replies, but has anyone tried running AT853Rx's with the phantom on? The mics aren't listed on m-audio's site (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=7fb377f3ef962038a26bc5c2291bafc1).

AT853Rx are spec'd 9-52V @ 2mA, so they certainly should be okay.
http://external.fullcompass.com/ImageFromDB.aspx?imgid=2224&srctbl=doc

Thanks for that reply, but I'm really looking for someone that has tried it with success before I drop $300 I don't have on this guy. Really wanted to use it with just the mics for stealth situations.

The large diaphragm ones they do list (AT3031, AT3032, AT3035) are all 11-52V @ 3mA.
But yeah, I can see your point of wanting someone to actually have done the test.