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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: chrisv31 on September 23, 2011, 08:43:18 AM

Title: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on September 23, 2011, 08:43:18 AM
Hi,

I've tried to record my stereo with my new Neumann ring  and the output signal from the pream is very low.
I have an olympus ls10 and even if I plug my jack 3.5 to  the mic input with max record level, the recording is very very low : WHY??

here is my ring
NEUMANN KM140 + PREAMP NEUMANN BS48i-2  + LS10
(http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1277/p1030142tl.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/p1030142tl.jpg/)

Thanks in advance
Chris


Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: page on September 23, 2011, 10:14:58 AM
Hi,

I've tried to record my stereo with my new Neumann ring  and the output signal from the pream is very low.


I'll start off by saying you're not using a preamp; the BS48i-2 is just a power supply. So that's going to be part of your problem.


I have an olympus ls10 and even if I plug my jack 3.5 to  the mic input with max record level, the recording is very very low : WHY??

When you tested this, what was the environment, at home or at a loud club while the band was rocking out?
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: jbell on September 23, 2011, 10:16:49 AM
Get a preamp instead of using the power supply!!
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on September 23, 2011, 10:35:21 AM
I just called Sennheiser France and you're right it's just a power supply so I'm completly WRONG (noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)  :'(

If I buy a tascam dr100 maybe i can us it as pream and  I can keep my power supply , what do you think about it?

Any good Preamps to recommend me ?
Cheers
Chris
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on September 23, 2011, 11:39:13 AM
So what can I do ?
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: page on September 23, 2011, 11:48:35 AM
So what can I do ?

Have you tried to the high setting on the olympus for mic in? (pg 24/25 (http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/LS-10_Instructions_EN.pdf))
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on September 23, 2011, 12:55:49 PM
Jon,

Where can I found a transformer or are you able to build one for me?
That will be a good option, let me know.

If I can keep my neumann power supply that will be great , I think that is a very good built-in product, what do you think?
(http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1315/img0001dpi.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/img0001dpi.jpg/)


Chris
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: John Willett on September 23, 2011, 02:22:18 PM
Hi,

I've tried to record my stereo with my new Neumann ring  and the output signal from the pream is very low.
I have an olympus ls10 and even if I plug my jack 3.5 to  the mic input with max record level, the recording is very very low : WHY??

here is my ring
NEUMANN KM140 + PREAMP NEUMANN BS48i-2  + LS10
(http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1277/p1030142tl.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/p1030142tl.jpg/)



Thanks in advance
Chris

That's not a pre-amp - it's a 48V phantom power supply unit.

It will output the same level as the mic. puts out.

You should plug the output into a mic. input.

You don't need this at all if your recorder has a phantom power switch.
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: acidjack on September 23, 2011, 02:35:25 PM
When I run a basic P48 box (the Denecke PS-2, a much crappier version of the nice Neumann power supply you have) into my M10, I find the best way to get decent levels unless it is REALLY loud is to use mic-in, phantom power off, sensitivity LOW. If that doesn't get you there, then try high. 
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: hi and lo on September 23, 2011, 02:42:29 PM
Line transformers can give you some gain. I used to use them KM140 > PS-2 > Hosa Line Transformers > DAT. It definitely helps get better levels.
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on September 23, 2011, 04:24:50 PM
Jon,
About your idea to use a Neutrik NTE4, i'm a little bit lost and can't find on google more informations about it and the way to use it :(

Page, Acidjack,
I've tried to hight settings my olympus but I still have the same result :(

hi and lo,
A Line transformers will be a good solution but I need a 5 PIN XLR female to 1 minjack 3.5 stereo  and I don't know if it exists.

Thanks again for your help !
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: hi and lo on September 23, 2011, 04:37:51 PM

hi and lo,
A Line transformers will be a good solution but I need a 5 PIN XLR female to 1 minjack 3.5 stereo  and I don't know if it exists.

You would need a 5-pin > dual 3-pin xlr cable.
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: page on September 23, 2011, 04:42:52 PM
I've tried to hight settings my olympus but I still have the same result :(

Was there any change between high/low settings or just not enough change?

Where are you testing it, in a loud club?
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on September 24, 2011, 09:56:14 AM
Page,
I'm going to test my ring for the first time in situation (gig in a small venue) next wednesday.

What do you think about the Sound Devices Mixpre , because I've found one with an very good price (second-hand), is it possible to plug my neumann on it ?

Chris
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: hi and lo on September 24, 2011, 11:36:51 AM
The mixpre is a great unit. It does provide 48v and is very small and compact. You probably won't notice mich difference in size between it and the BS48i.

The only downside I feel might be of concern with the mixpre is the short run time on 2 AA batteries. You'll probably get at least 2.5 to 3 hours (maybe more... Not how it will truly last) so for most shows its a non-issue, but force you to bring along spare batts or require an external power source for when you need longer continuous runtimes.
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: page on September 24, 2011, 02:04:21 PM
Page,
I'm going to test my ring for the first time in situation (gig in a small venue) next wednesday.

Ok, Im interested in your results in a loud place concert area, you may still need more gain than the LS10 can provide, but it will give a better idea of how much you are missing. I've found I can't ever replicate the loudness anywhere else so home based volume tests never worked for me.
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on September 26, 2011, 04:23:46 AM
Thanks for the information about the  mixpre !
Title: Re: Help :Very low signal (Neumann)
Post by: chrisv31 on October 18, 2011, 05:49:23 AM
I've tried my Neumann with my power supply in a small venue (mics in a hat) recorder LS10 mic in (rec level 6) mic sense hi
and I'm very disappointed with the result

You'll find a sample below, could you tell why my recording seems overloaded ? :(