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Author Topic: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)  (Read 392 times)

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Offline tapeworm48

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Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« on: August 04, 2025, 04:06:15 PM »
Anyone have any stealthy suggestions for powering the Core Sound version of the DPA 4061s microphones (High End Binaurals) that I could pair with my Sony A10? My CS box stopped functioning several years back, but looking for something stealthy that won't trigger the detectors.

I believe the microphones terminate in a 4-pin or 3-pin config.

Thanks in advance!
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Offline Gutbucket

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Re: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2025, 04:35:33 PM »
I'm pretty sure the Core Sound battery box for those mics features both input and output through a single mini-xlr connector. If so, that mini-SLR needs a minimum of 5 pins to support both the input of two microphones and output via a stereo mini-plug output to the recorder.

Options:
1) Easiest will be to contact Core Sound for a plug-n-play replacement battery-box that works with that system. 
2) If you or a friend has the skills to do so, it should not be difficult to DIY a battery-box compatible with the existing wiring and mini-XLR plug.
3) You could convert from the Core Sound wiring scheme to the more typical battery box setup which uses a single dedicated input connector to the battery box and a separate output connector and cable from the battery box to the recorder.  This would require reterminating the output cabling from the microphones to a different connector (typically a TRS stereo mini-plug or 3-pin mini-XLR) that would fit an alternate commercially available 9V battery box (say from Sound Professionals or whomever).
4) If you or a friend has the skills to do so, you could both convert the wiring as in #3 AND build a conventionally wired DIY battery-box.
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Offline jefflester

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Re: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2025, 05:16:05 PM »
It's most definitely a 4-pin mini-XLR, T4F, with ground presumably through the connector shell. Years ago I bought a T4M connector with the intention of shorting out the appropriate connections to make the 1/8" TRS recorder end of the CS cable compatible with a "normal" battery box or preamp (I was going to use a CA-UGLY) but of course have never gotten around to it. Never even figured out which pin carries what.

« Last Edit: August 04, 2025, 05:17:47 PM by jefflester »
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Offline Gutbucket

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Re: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2025, 06:00:13 PM »
Okay if its only a 4-pin T4F then the shell presumably serves as ground/common to achieve the 5 required signal pathways.

Should be able to easily identify the two output signal pin sockets using an ohmmeter.  Check to see which pin has continuity to Tip and which has continuity to Ring on the mini-plug.  The pin socket that connects directly to Tip will be the Left + output. The one that connects directly to Ring is the Right + output.  Can also confirm in that way that the shell is directly connected to Sleeve.

The only variable which remains is which of the two remaining pin sockets is Left mic + and which is Right mic +.  Won't mess anything up by having those two swapped other than the formerly Left mic being reassigned as Right and vice-versa.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline tapeworm48

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Re: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2025, 11:18:55 AM »
Confirmed its the 4-pin mini-XLR. The entire rig looks similar to the one jefflester posted.

Core Sound doesn't seem to provide any other battery boxes other than the one i have. Sound Professionals does seem to have some smaller ones, but they all tend to terminated in a 3.5mm headphone jack. Unfortunately I don't have the know-how to make my own at this time.

Any other stealthy off-the-shelf suggestions? Or does someone do work to change the termination on the DPA4061s from the 4-pin to a 3.5mm? Not even sure if that would work.

thanks in advance!
A good friend will come bail you out of jail, but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn... We F**ked Up."

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Offline Gutbucket

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Re: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2025, 12:52:09 PM »
Confirmed its the 4-pin mini-XLR. The entire rig looks similar to the one jefflester posted.

Core Sound doesn't seem to provide any other battery boxes other than the one i have. Sound Professionals does seem to have some smaller ones, but they all tend to terminated in a 3.5mm headphone jack. Unfortunately I don't have the know-how to make my own at this time.

Any other stealthy off-the-shelf suggestions? Or does someone do work to change the termination on the DPA4061s from the 4-pin to a 3.5mm? Not even sure if that would work.

thanks in advance!

Yes, that photo shows the standard CoreSound setup. Thanks Jeff. 
Yes, reterminating from 4-pin mini xlr to stereo 3.5mm minijack will work and will be required to use an alternate battery box.

Best option would seem to be a replacement CoreSound battery box as long as the previous one that's no longer working suited your needs.  I'd contact Len at CoreSound about a replacement, and ask if they might take a look at your old one.  They may be able to repair it. If not they should be able to supply a new one.  Either way, no modification of the existing wiring will be required.

The CoreSound wiring scheme in and out of the battery box is somewhat clever and unique, and advantageous in a few ways. There is only one wiring cable needed which remains attached to the mics, the battery box uses just a single connector (most will have separate input and output jacks), and that connector is a positive locking type (mini-xlr).

To use a different battery box other than the CoreSound one you'll need to have the mics reterminated, replacing the 4-pin mini-xlr with whatever input connector is used by the new battery box.  Stereo 3.5mm mini-plug is the most common connector type for that.  The cables from both mics will be unsoldered from the mini-XLR and resoldered to the new connector.  Not difficult, but somewhat fidgety and requires proper soldering skills.  Any other battery box will then use an additional separate cable out from the battery box and into the recorder - typically terminated with a stereo 3.5mm plug at either end.

A 9V Sound Pro's battery box will work and may be smaller than the CoreSound box.  I'd not choose one that provides any higher voltage as that could damage the mics. It is likely to have a stereo 3.5mm mini-jack input and separate stereo 3.5mm mini-jack output.  Those connections are not likely locking types, but if they are you'll see threads around the outside of the jacks and could have the mics reterminated to a locking 3.5mm mini-plug if retaining the positive locking feature is important to you.  Realize that if going this route you will have three mini-jack>mini-plug connections in the signal chain instead of just the single one you now have (into the recorder itself) along with the locking mini-xlr. Connections are common points of failure, so it can be wise to gaff tape non-locking connections into and out of the battery box to assure nothing comes loose while recording if you choose to go this route.

And to clarify how locking mini-jacks work- A standard non-locking male mini-plug will fit into both locking and non-locking female minijacks.  A locking male mini-plug incorporates a female threaded ferrule that screws onto the threads surrounding a locking mini-jack, secureing the two.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline Thelonious

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Re: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2025, 02:48:04 PM »
I would add that you should ask Len about the design of the battery box. I seem to recall him saying that it's made of aluminum and that, should the 9 volt not set of the detector, the box itself shouldn't do so. If that is the case it would support the argument for a straight replacement.

I have walked through some detectors with my CS HEB before without issue, however, I'm sure that there are differences between these walk through units and that they can be set up with different sensitivity so it's entirely possible it could set one off. I'm just not sure what type of box you would need to actually reduce the possibility of doing so.

Offline goodcooker

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Re: Power Supply for DPA4061s (CSHEBs)
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2025, 11:15:55 AM »
I would add that you should ask Len about the design of the battery box.

A friend asked me to take a look at his Core Sound HEB setup some years ago so I called Len to see if he could give me the pin out scheme for his battery box to start diagnosing the problem. He rudely stated "any decent tech should be able to figure it out on their own" and the conversation went no further.

Don't count on Len to help much IME.

We ended up hacking off the connector, replacing it with a 1/8" mini TRS and getting a 9V battery box from Sound Pros.
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