Topic: Microtrack Phantom Power & Neumann mics

[danlynch]

Hi!
I'm a Microtrack owner since November, and I've warmed up to the deck after some early bad experiences.  I had been using it with some pretty decent results with a set of core sound cardiods > 1/8" in.
Anyway, this week I've splurged for a pair of Neumann KM-150's (AK-50 hypercardiod capsules).  I've searched through the forums for information about these mics and the MT, and found an old thread about beta 1.0 problems with the MT phantom power and Neumann mics.  There doesn't seem to have been any follow-up with this problem in the more recent MT betas--or at least any discussion about it.
Tonight I did some testing, and could not get an acceptable signal (low level  static-y signal) with the Neumanns > XLR > 1/4" plugs> MT.  All the settings were correct, and there was a signal, but nothing that would be acceptable.  This leads me to believe that the phantom power just won't work with this deck, and that I'll need an external power source.
Which brings me to my question/quest for suggestions...is there a pre-amp that will provide both the power source I'll need, and the option to finally use the s/pdif inputs on the MT?  [would love to get some 24/48 recordings with these mics!]
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

[Blue Noise]

I believe your Neumann's are rated at 48 +/- 4V. The MT is 30V.

[Jamos]

There are several boxes that will give you the preamp, 48v, and A/D that you're looking for...
like the Edirol UA-5 (probably your cheapest option) or Grace V3, but the MT's 30v isn't going to cut it alone (much too noisy anyway, sad to combine a beautiful Neumann w/the MT's preamp).

+T for buying some Neumanns!

J

[mdarnton]

If all you want to do is get things moving, without shelling out a lot more money for perfection (after the new mics, do you have any money left?), there's this, which I got for running my good mics at home on my Microtrack, and it works fine:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTPHANII

Yes, I know this approach has no class: it's twice as thick, four times the spacial volume, and twice as heavy as the Microtrack, but it works, and it's cheap. I think a clever person could rip out the guts and rebuild it into a much smaller box, with 1/4" TRS fittings.

[danlynch]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I have actually been looking at the Apogee Mini-me, but its just too pricey.  Perhaps a used one might be the solution, but they're tough to find.

Looks like the UA-5 has been discontinued, and core-sound suggests an m-audio product as a alternative:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MobilePreUSB-main.html

Not sure if I want to buy an item that only samples at 16/48, but it seems to have all the options.

Thanks again!

[jcrab66]

try the mp2 / sbm1 combo with those mics...

[mdarnton]

The M-Audio MobilePre is a USB computer interface, and runs off the computer's usb power, with controls operated via the computer interface. If you get that, the Microtrack becomes unnecessary, and you have to drag around a laptop. Is that what you're suggesting? I've got both and much prefer the Microtrack.

[BC]

If the mme is too pricey for you then I I say go UA5, keep your eye out in the yard sale and ebay for a used one.

[danlynch]

Just thought I'd let all the helpful people in this topic know that I bought a new
apogee minime from Sonic Sense.  They had the best price that I saw online,
and the service was excellent.

I guess the last piece to the puzzle is to set up a rig so that I can do some
stealthing with this rig.