Topic: old stereo mic with 1/4" inputs > warm-mod UA5 > JB3

[kgreener]

well, picked up a pair of these on the way home http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1&catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F003%5F001%5F007&product%5Fid=274%2D017

eh, it works, but not very good in that i can barely get any gain, even with the UA5 cranked to the max.  i can hear what i'm recording, but it's a weak signal, it should be more robust.  do I have the wrong part?  good chance of that, especially since these are listed as transformers.  do transformers lower the signal?  damn i'm clueless about some of this stuff.

i'm pretty sure this is gonna work, i guess i just need the correct adapters.  guess i'll look up the Hosa's as mentioned earlier.  any more help would be appreciated!

[kgreener]

I should also mention, when i tried this last night, i noticed it didn't matter whether the UA5 phantom power button was on or not...the volume pots worked whether it was on or off (albeit with not much gain, as previously mentioned).  does this tell anyone anything?  Do you think it's my connectors?   FWIW, i ordered these late last night, i hope they do the trick:

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AdptMx-Qmf&preadd=action

[hexyjones]

I should also mention, when i tried this last night, i noticed it didn't matter whether the UA5 phantom power button was on or not...the volume pots worked whether it was on or off (albeit with not much gain, as previously mentioned).  does this tell anyone anything?  Do you think it's my connectors?   FWIW, i ordered these late last night, i hope they do the trick:

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AdptMx-Qmf&preadd=action

Phanton is irrelevant for your application...on or off will make no difference...

[kgreener]

why is that?  i have run these mics using a battery box, and can increase or decrease the gain effectively on the battery box.  is it the 9V vs. 48v phantom that's in question here?  i wonder why i can get a teeny bit of control using the UA5 knobs when it's in the maxed out position?  hmm...

[hexyjones]

I should also mention, when i tried this last night, i noticed it didn't matter whether the UA5 phantom power button was on or not...the volume pots worked whether it was on or off (albeit with not much gain, as previously mentioned).  does this tell anyone anything?  Do you think it's my connectors?   FWIW, i ordered these late last night, i hope they do the trick:

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AdptMx-Qmf&preadd=action

Those are just what you want....

Question...Did your levels seem a bit low when using the Marantz?

It is likely that the transformer is eating up some of your signal...but also consider the following...

"Back Electret" condenser mics...It is my understanding that these capsules will only keep their "back electret" charge for about 20 years...

Once the charge begins to fade...the output will diminish...

Check your spec sheet...For some reason I want to say that ECM 99 is a "capacitor" mic...?

I cant remember if condenser and capicitor mean the same thing...

[hexyjones]

why is that?  i have run these mics using a battery box, and can increase or decrease the gain effectively on the battery box.  is it the 9V vs. 48v phantom that's in question here?  i wonder why i can get a teeny bit of control using the UA5 knobs when it's in the maxed out position?  hmm...

I get a little foggy on these battery box things...I am under the impression they are for the mini-disc crowd...for use with "Plug In Power" mics...
or to be used with the Line Level inputs on MD/DAT decks...not sure of what use they would be in this application.

I am also unfamiliar with the seemingly famous UA5...assuming you are using a XLR mic level input...(not Line Level)

[hexyjones]

. And, remember, that there is no way that you can achieve live room spl's in home testing!

Good point Moke...unless you have an electric guitar and amp handy...your home stereo wont create that kind of SPL...

[kgreener]

thanks guys.  batteries are fresh (i use plural as i was trying three single-point mics, a sony, a jvc, and a realistic, which, btw, has better response IMO than the sony and jvc...go figure), and i believe all are low impedance, self-powered (damn, forgot to look at the documentation last night, sorry).  the jvc and realistic have an on/off switch on them, the sony does not. 

i bought the battery box when i first started taping, and pulled some decent shows going mics > batt box > MD, then mics > batt box > JB3 (line-in) after i ditched the MD.  my testing scenario is...my car!  (i have to do this otherwise i would wake my two kids up)   It's a kick-ass car stereo system, gets very loud, and i've used it before to test stuff.  Past tests with mics > batt box > JB3 have created very lively response, with levels maxing out just where i want them (link below will show you the batt box i'm using, it's pretty cool actually, but i don't trust all of the 1/8" connectors in the field as much as i would the UA5):

http://www.reactivesounds.com/spa2.php

thanks again guys.  hey, i don't want to waste any more of your time, i've probably asked too many questions already, and i don't want to overstay my welcome.  i was just hoping to use one of these single-points in a quick & dirty situation, like band practices, or in a dive bar, ie times when i don't feel like setting up my Josephson's.  Was just hoping to run this thru the UA5, get some gain from it, as well as optical out into the JB3.  Thanks again!

[kgreener]

i'm all set!  these adapters did the trick, just as hexyjones and moke said they would, thanks guys:

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=AdptMx-Qmf&preadd=action

you're right, i don't need to turn on phantom, all that does is distort things, it runs way too hot.  i'm get plenty of gain from the front knobs, and my in-car audio testing sounds just like it should.  those rat shack transformers were "choking" the mic, glad to be rid of them.

hard to believe an inexpensive single-point mic can sound so good thru a w-mod...can't wait to get out and try it on some real live music.  thanks again guys, and +T's all around.

peace,
Keith

[dklein]

by the way, your 'battery box' is actually a preamp - there's a big difference!

[kgreener]

"by the way, your 'battery box' is actually a preamp - there's a big difference!"

Dave, what do you mean by this statement?  Do you mean that my "battery box" is actually a decent piece of equipment, or a piece of sh**?       Or were you just pointing out that it does more than provide battery power?

I just woke up, maybe I'll read this again later when I've woken up!

Thanks Dave, +T

[Brian Skalinder]

Dave, what do you mean by this statement?  Do you mean that my "battery box" is actually a decent piece of equipment, or a piece of sh**?       Or were you just pointing out that it does more than provide battery power?

Battery boxes provide power to the mics, nothing more.  Preamps provide phantom power and gain, and in your case the UA-5 also acts as an ADC.  The power provided by battery box or preamp is different, too.  Battery boxes typically provide lower voltage, usually around 9v.  Preamps with phantom power usually provide 48v phantom power.

I'm not positive on this last part: the way the power is provided is different, too - phantom v. whatever you call battery box power.  Battery boxes pass power through a (+) and (-)  cable (two wires), while phantom is passed using (+), (-), and ground (3 wires).  I think.  Someone else can probably explain this part of it better than I can - I feel like I used to know the difference, but can't pull it outta my noggin now.

And your wmod-UA5 is a great piece of gear!  Definitely not a POS.

[kgreener]

Thanks for the info Brian, I appreciate it!  +T