>>> SP makes a modified Denecke PS2 to mini and idealy this would be the route I'd like to go. Most if not all the shows I tape have to be stealth. It seems I can get the phantom power from the PS2, but I need to mod my SP CMC-8 to xlr.
joel, you're correct. you need to re-balance your connection. (your stereo mini-plug is unbalanced.) phantom power only works in a balanced (3 wire) connection/circuit. take a look at the first photo at the start of this thread. i simply added a mini-XLR Female/Male connection to my buddy's SP mics BEFORE the mini-plug.
>> However, SP makes a female mini to xlr and I'm wondering if this is a good approach or should I mod the mics?
you can not use a miniF > XLR connector to run phantom.
>> There may be times I'd still have to go super stealth and would still need to use my bat module, so I was thinking I could do the same mod as the other thread listed above and could get the mini-xlr to xlr line converters. Am I making sense at all?
your questions make perfect sense. hope the following will clear it up more:
-each of your mic cable has 5 conductors. 2-yellow, 2-red and 1-shield.
-the 2-yellow are connected to form a single conductor, same for the 2-reds.
-your microphone capsule outputs a balanced signal across the Red and Yellow while ground is shield (thus 3 wires)
-your mini plug unbalances each mic's output by shorting (connecting together) the Yellow and Shield while your signal (hot) is carried along the Red.
-so if you simply use a mini-Female > XLR converter, you're not rebalancing your connection. re-balance has to be done before your mini-plug (see photo #1).
here's a crude diagram:
-you can not simply rebalance this connection by using a mini-F > XLR adaptor.
if you decide to go with the Deneke PS-2, you'll still need a power module for your mics. simply think of them as "mic bodies" like the Schoeps CMC6 or Neumann KM100 bodies. AT makes one (AT8533). someone mentioned the Samson PM4 Phantom Power Adapter from SP.
i use the AT8533 model and don't have any experience with the Samson one.
in regards to the mic cable mod, feel free to PM me.
marc