Topic: several (probably easy) questions

[eclark]

okay so im new at taping, but im deffinately sure i want to get into it. ive read so much about it over the past week but i still have a couple questions. i would be grateful if someone could help me out. thanks guys!

okay so if i buy a stand, i probably want to get one that is about 8-10 ft. can i buy ANY lighting stand? ive looked at the 3333 but ive seen other "lighting stands" that are much cheaper online. do they all (for the most part) have the same head? is all i need a (from micsupply.com) a "New stand fitting w/ _____ (maybe 3/8 > 5/8) head" will that allow me to put a T bar (say AKG KM235/1)? bascially is there any difference between the head on the 3333 light stand and your typical light stand on ebay? if someone could explain the whole thing that would be great. those measurements are confusing me...

what is the deal with the Microtrack? would there be any reason I couldn't put a 4G or 6G CF II card in there? or is 2gig the limit? also, to do 24 bit or digitial in, I would need a A/D converter to XLR > SPDIF on this thing too, right? it says it has 1/4" phantom powered mic inputs (!!!!) what is the deal with this? just buy a simple XLR > 1/4" and the phantom power travels through it to the mics? how is the battery life on these things? can i make it through at 2.5 hr show recording wav? i guess this thing does 24 bit too(!!!)?

Im hoping for (to start):
C4 > Microtrack. how does this look?! (i would need xlr > 1/4", are those standard?)
i should expect to pay 40 dollars for the stand and 20 for the T bar.

thanks for reading. i hope you could follow. please answer any questions. i tried to underline to help out.
that would be greatly appreciated.
thanks. i cant wait to get started!

[rodeen]

what is the deal with the Microtrack? would there be any reason I couldn't put a 4G or 6G CF II card in there? or is 2gig the limit? also, to do 24 bit or digitial in, I would need a A/D converter to XLR > SPDIF on this thing too, right? it says it has 1/4" phantom powered mic inputs (!!!!) what is the deal with this? just buy a simple XLR > 1/4" and the phantom power travels through it to the mics? how is the battery life on these things? can i make it through at 2.5 hr show recording wav? i guess this thing does 24 bit too(!!!)?

Im hoping for (to start):
C4 > Microtrack. how does this look?! (i would need xlr > 1/4", are those standard?)
i should expect to pay 40 dollars for the stand and 20 for the T bar.

Microtrack: 
Should run okay with any supported CF II card.  Consult the M-Audio support page for a current list.  There is a 2GB/file limit but you can have multiple 2GB files on a CF card.  Lots of discussion around here about the woes of not having a seamless split.  It's never bothered me though.

You can run an external pre/AD converter and go SP/DIF into the MT but you don't have to.  The 1/4" inputs are a balanced TRS connection.  You would need something that goes from a normal balanced XLR connector to a balanced TRS 1/4" connector.  I bought one from Sound Professionals. 

The MT does provide phantom power but it is only around 30v, not a standard 48v.  The specs for the C4's call for 48v so I'm not sure how they perform or if they perform at 30v.  My AKG's work great but they are spec'd for something like 9v to 52v. 

In the early MT threads people tested the MT with phantom using just the internal battery and I think 2.5 hours wasn't an issue.  The search function on here should be able to dredge up those discussions.  I think most people use some kind of external battery with their MT to guard against running out of juice.  Lots of options there too.

Good Luck!

[BJ]

okay so if i buy a stand, i probably want to get one that is about 8-10 ft. can i buy ANY lighting stand? ive looked at the 3333 but ive seen other "lighting stands" that are much cheaper online. do they all (for the most part) have the same head? is all i need a (from micsupply.com) a "New stand fitting w/ _____ (maybe 3/8 > 5/8) head" will that allow me to put a T bar (say AKG KM235/1)? bascially is there any difference between the head on the 3333 light stand and your typical light stand on ebay? if someone could explain the whole thing that would be great. those measurements are confusing me...


Im hoping for (to start):
C4 > Microtrack. how does this look?! (i would need xlr > 1/4", are those standard?)
i should expect to pay 40 dollars for the stand and 20 for the T bar.

yes, any lightstand should be ok after you get the fitting from mic supply.  that fitting will allow the t-bar to attach.

as suggested earlier..the mt might no supply enough power for the c4s, but it never hurts to try...

[Will_S]

Might want to look into the Zoom H4 instead of the Microtrack.  It's new and hence unproven (unlike the Microtrack, although some would consider it unproven or even proven to be somewhat problematic), but based on preliminary reports it seems to be everything the Microtracker was supposed to be, except no didgital in.  But it does offer a few advantages over the Microtrack, at least on paper:

XLR ins
true 48V phantom power
runs off AA batteries rather than an integrated rechargeable that will lose capacity over time
cheaper

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=68423.0
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=73679.0
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=73657.0

[eclark]

thanks for the help guys. i like the XLRs on the zoom that looks tight, but i still think im going with the MT. i also just bought an ART phantom II power box.  i also got a stand. the C4s should get here next week, and then im getting the microtrack in november. im pumped.

anyways, how long do you think those two 9V batteries in the ART will power my C4s?