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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: SpokenMagicSpells on February 16, 2010, 03:31:26 PM

Title: Mics that works directly in MIC IN of the R09-HR, without bb or preamp
Post by: SpokenMagicSpells on February 16, 2010, 03:31:26 PM
After buying the ST-9100 I sold my modified CA-11 (2.4k version) that worked directly in the MIC IN of the R09-HR.

Now I'm interested in have this option again, that is, record a show using only the R09-HR plus the mics, without a bb or preamp.

What kind of mics would be able to do this?
Title: Re: Mics that works directly in MIC IN of the R09-HR, without bb or preamp
Post by: SmokinJoe on February 16, 2010, 04:17:51 PM
If it's a quiet show, most of the AT853 or CA type mics will do it with the something like 3 volts of plug-in-power of the R09HR.  When it gets louder, most of them will start to brickwall, and need a 9V battery box or preamp.

So if you want to record James Taylor, you can probably run most mics > R09 mic-in.  If you want to record Megadeth, then you need the battery box/preamp.

Or possibly that's not the answer you were looking for.  Yes, there probably are some particular mics (or modified ones) that you can run mic-in for Megadeth, but since you didn't ask that question, I'm not sure.

The other side of the equation is that once it gets loud, sensitive mics run "mic in" might overload the recorder.  This is why people traditionally switch to line-in, at which point you add a battery box to power the mics.
Title: Re: Mics that works directly in MIC IN of the R09-HR, without bb or preamp
Post by: acidjack on February 16, 2010, 04:26:22 PM
After buying the ST-9100 I sold my modified CA-11 (2.4k version) that worked directly in the MIC IN of the R09-HR.

Now I'm interested in have this option again, that is, record a show using only the R09-HR plus the mics, without a bb or preamp.

What kind of mics would be able to do this?
I think, in general, no mics can do it without mods to the mics or the deck.  Both Sonic Studios and Church have approaches for doing this; GuySonic, I believe, modifies the deck.  Church may be willing to do either or both. 
Title: Re: Mics that works directly in MIC IN of the R09-HR, without bb or preamp
Post by: illconditioned on February 16, 2010, 04:42:43 PM
After buying the ST-9100 I sold my modified CA-11 (2.4k version) that worked directly in the MIC IN of the R09-HR.

Now I'm interested in have this option again, that is, record a show using only the R09-HR plus the mics, without a bb or preamp.

What kind of mics would be able to do this?
I think, in general, no mics can do it without mods to the mics or the deck.  Both Sonic Studios and Church have approaches for doing this; GuySonic, I believe, modifies the deck.  Church may be willing to do either or both.
I've recorded a bunch of shows with plug in power, into Edirol R09 (original version) and Sony PCM D50/ M10.

I've used (2.2k modded) Sennheiser KE4, KE40, Countryman B3 and (4.7k modded) AT853, plus CA11 and CAFS by Church.

The main thing IMO is you need some kind of mod on the FET.  Running unmodded AT853 or any other mic *will* lead to distortion, even at modest levels of (PA reinforced) live music.

My suggestion is just to try out the mics and see how they sound.  Another trick is to run two rigs, one with a battery box, and the second "control rig" that you trust (even just regular phantom power mics).  Line up and compare the waveforms.  If the plug-in-power version appears to have "clamped" output levels relative to the others, then you know you need a battery box.  I know this is not a systematic test, but it is "good enough" as a sanity check.

 Richard
Title: Re: Mics that works directly in MIC IN of the R09-HR, without bb or preamp
Post by: guysonic on February 17, 2010, 07:00:36 AM
Sonic Studios mics work into various deck models.  While some need modification like your 09HR (which also quiets the deck), and two newer Sony models perfect as-purchased stock. 

Details at: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=83254.0;all
Title: Re: Mics that works directly in MIC IN of the R09-HR, without bb or preamp
Post by: SpokenMagicSpells on February 17, 2010, 09:59:23 AM
Thanks for the replies so far.

I almost never record very loud shows, and I'm loving the sound captured with my new pair of CA-14 (cards & omnis).

The only problem with them is the lack of "stealthiness"... Definitely. They are too much huge for my use, so I decided to buy the CAFS.

But I still would like to have some cardioids to use in some very simple situations...