Sorry if this is a really elementary question, but I've read so many of the postings here and I haven't seen this one.
I have both Church Audio and Core Sound omnis and cards for stealth recording. I have been using a Tascam iXJ2 for A/D and my iPhone as the recorder. I've gotten OK results with this, but I would like to eliminate the battery box and I want to step up to a better recorder.
I bought a Tascam D40 from craigslist ($95), thinking it would provide phantom power for the microphones. Now that I have it, I realize that it provides either 24 or 48 volts, plus I have to get am adapter to go from the 1/8" plug to two 1/4" plugs (I assume the microphones are unbalanced like the 1/4" would be). I gather that the microphones use 9 volts phantom power (I saw that somewhere on one of the forums here).
So my question is, among all the different brands of recorders (Tascam, Roland/Edirol, Sony, etc.) discussed on these forums, is there one which would allow me to simply plug in my microphones directly?
There is really no such thing as 9V phantom power.
Phantom power is normally 48V ±4V.
There are also, lesser used, phantom standards of 24V and 12V - also ±4V.
Some microphones work from 12V to 48V ±4V.
Phantom power is *only* on balanced microphones and normally via an XLR (sometimes on a 3-pole standard jack, but not very often).
Low voltage power for an unbalanced mic. (normally from about 4V to 12V) is "plug-in power". This is for unbalanced electret mics.
Unfortumately I have seen some US companies calling "plug-in power" as "phantom power", but this is very wrong as it causes confusion and could damage a microphone.
For phantom power, you will need a recorder that has the XLR microphone connectors - and make sure that it can provide proper the 48V required and the current capability to power a pair of microphones.
The spec. states 48V ±4V and 10mA per mic. (most mics will require about 4mA on average).
What you are looking for in a deck is "plug in power" usually supplied by the 1/8th inch input on miniature recorders.
Most miniature recorders supply less than 5V on the plug (some as low as 2 or 3V) so you will need a battery box/preamp for your mics to perform to spec in most instances. A million people have been burned trying to eliminate the batt box. Just use it.
I can say that the Marantz PMD620 supplies around 5V and I have used a pair of DPA 4060 directly into the input at moderately loud volumes with good results.
I took a quick look at the D40 and it's unclear just looking at the pictures if it actually has an 1/8 input. If you plan on keeping it I guess you could go mics > batt box > 1/4 inputs.
Thanks for the clarification/advice.
You're right that the DR40 doesn't have 1/8" input (I thought it might but it doesn't). So if I stick with it it'll be as you say mics > batt box > 1/8 to 1/4 Y adapter > 1/4 inputs
Oh well...
Quote from: ~Jon Stoppable on February 21, 2017, 03:31:36 PM
Quote from: John Willett on February 21, 2017, 04:10:31 AM
There are also, lesser used, phantom standards of 24V and 12V - also ±4V.
P12 is specified as +/-1V.
Thanks for the clarification.
I have several ruined recordings from the period of time when I thought, "With decent mics and plug-in power, I don't need a battery box." It's a small price to pay for knowing you're getting the best out of your equipment.