Topic: Small, Affordable mics

[illconditioned]

Have taken the PMD-620 deck apart and like what I am seeing like input jacks with through hole solder pads; no break-off-the-board input jacks here as opposed to R-09 'break-away' types.  Below are two quickly made photos showing top/bottom of input jacks at top of first of two PCB boards inside the 620.  Notice the solder pads for the input jacks go through to other side of the board (ROLAND take note on right way to do board mounted jacks on R-09 model 2!)

Nice detective work.  Looks like the chip, AIC32 is the same as the Edirol R09.  Are there any preamp (opamp) chips in front of this?

  Richard

[guysonic]

Also, guysonic:  I assume those are the mic-in and headphone jacks in your photos?  I just got my Marantz today.

Right you are, MIC input/Phones output are shown. 

Also found that PMD-420 allows mic powering upgrade changing two easily accessible resistors on the facing side of the first board, so my brand of DSM mics can be directly powered after doing this modification.

Likely no preamp chips, all codec like R-09, but difficult to tell for sure without circuit diagram like provided in a repair manual for this deck.

[professorhalfbaked]

Right you are, MIC input/Phones output are shown. 

Also found that PMD-420 allows mic powering upgrade changing two easily accessible resistors on the facing side of the first board, so my brand of DSM mics can be directly powered after doing this modification.

It says in the manual that the PMD620 provides 5V of plug-in power.  How much additional power do you get with your modification?  Is this necessary for small mics, like the Church Audios or the AT943s?

[guysonic]

Right you are, MIC input/Phones output are shown. 

Also found that PMD-420 allows mic powering upgrade changing two easily accessible resistors on the facing side of the first board, so my brand of DSM mics can be directly powered after doing this modification.

It says in the manual that the PMD620 provides 5V of plug-in power.  How much additional power do you get with your modification?  Is this necessary for small mics, like the Church Audios or the AT943s?

Measure 'unloaded' 4.4 volts which is minimum good operating voltage for these other mics that also draw much less current with different self-limiting current bias characteristic. 

DSM mics work best in opposite way with 1.5-2.5 low voltage being best. and also draw up to 10 times more current (gives lower noise/distortion advantages).  Downside is reliance on less common current limiting resistor value for working bias. 

With most newer decks having low voltage electret mic powering feature, current limiting resistor inside gives too much current and needs changing for DSM mic.

I found mic powering modification somewhat practical with R-09 deck, and now way easier on PMD-620, while Sony PCM-D50 deck is ONLY model found in many years perfect as-is stock for at least DSM mic powering.

[professorhalfbaked]

Right you are, MIC input/Phones output are shown. 

Also found that PMD-420 allows mic powering upgrade changing two easily accessible resistors on the facing side of the first board, so my brand of DSM mics can be directly powered after doing this modification.

It says in the manual that the PMD620 provides 5V of plug-in power.  How much additional power do you get with your modification?  Is this necessary for small mics, like the Church Audios or the AT943s?

Measure 'unloaded' 4.4 volts which is minimum good operating voltage for these other mics that also draw much less current with different self-limiting current bias characteristic. 

DSM mics work best in opposite way with 1.5-2.5 low voltage being best. and also draw up to 10 times more current (gives lower noise/distortion advantages).  Downside is reliance on less common current limiting resistor value for working bias. 

With most newer decks having low voltage electret mic powering feature, current limiting resistor inside gives too much current and needs changing for DSM mic.

I found mic powering modification somewhat practical with R-09 deck, and now way easier on PMD-620, while Sony PCM-D50 deck is ONLY model found in many years perfect as-is stock for at least DSM mic powering.

So, if I understand you correctly, the PMD620 is fine as is and would only need this modification for the DSM mics?  Sorry to hit you with the stupid question, but I am new to this and don't get all of the electronic-speak 100% yet!

[kbergend]

I also have AT943 mics with cardioid and omni capsules.  Bought them about 4 years ago and I've been very happy with them, but judging from the recordings I've heard Church's mics sound just as good and they're considerably less expensive.  I think you'll like your new recorder too.  Look forward to hearing some of your recordings, good luck!

Omni's are my favorite for clear, clean off-axis sound with extended solid low frequency response, but matter of taste as most here seem to like cardioid with thinned out bass and hyped (that for me is most irritating) mid-range response that's also typical of some omni's like DPA 4060 types.  But as said, this is a personal taste thing. 

Hey Guy, I don't think it's a matter of preferring the sound of cards for most of us, we're just trying to focus on the music and minimize the off-axis chatter and other audience noise prevailing in most places where we tape.  I always use omnis when I'm recording in someone's living room.  Thanks for the PMD620 photos, nice to see what it looks like on the inside! (and reassuring news on the line-in jack)

[rastasean]

I hear great things about these chuch mics but where can one buy them?
Google really didn't do anything in my favor this time.
Can I get a website of their mics?

[Brian Skalinder]

I hear great things about these chuch mics but where can one buy them?
Can I get a website of their mics?

There're a few threads in the Retail Space forum from CA and others:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/board,22.0.html

One of the CA threads probably probably also includes a link to the Church Audio eBay storefront.  Or worst case you could PM/email Chris Church at his TS handle:  Church-Audio.

[professorhalfbaked]

Well, I said I would come back and +T you all for your help when I was able, so here they are!  Thanks once again.  I have been impressed by the quality of a lot of the information on this board and by everyone's willingness to lend a hand.