Topic: Sony m-10 + ca9100 + ca14 - do i use plug in mic power

[lt-cartman]

Hi all toolman here

Just got my Sony m10 and I was wondering the following regarding the plug in mic power that is supplied by the m10

When using the ca9100 Pre amp and the ca14s - when plugging in the mic the m10 asked do I want to use plug in power what's the correct choice when using the Pre amp / mic combo stated above

Thanks.

Toolman

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

The preamp supplies the power to the mics. Go Line In to the M10.

[Belexes]

Use plug in power only if you bypass your pre and run mic-in.  But you have the 9100, so use it.

[bryonsos]

The preamp supplies the power to the mics. Go Line In to the M10.

X2

[Drgiggles1]

Use mic in only if doing an all acoustic show or something quiet as nature stuff or what have you. If you record loud rock/blues shows always go line in.

[TimeBandit]

you can run mics > preamp > into mic in on very quiet events. But turn the PIP on the recorder OFF.

[Drgiggles1]

you can run mics > preamp > into mic in on very quiet events. But turn the PIP on the recorder OFF.

I wouldn't turn PIP off. imho that would be defeating the purpose of the extra gain you need at certain times.

[aaronji]

you can run mics > preamp > into mic in on very quiet events. But turn the PIP on the recorder OFF.

I wouldn't turn PIP off. imho that would be defeating the purpose of the extra gain you need at certain times.

I would...

[Drgiggles1]

you can run mics > preamp > into mic in on very quiet events. But turn the PIP on the recorder OFF.

I wouldn't turn PIP off. imho that would be defeating the purpose of the extra gain you need at certain times.

I would...

Curious why turn off PIP if plugging into mic port

[aaronji]

you can run mics > preamp > into mic in on very quiet events. But turn the PIP on the recorder OFF.

I wouldn't turn PIP off. imho that would be defeating the purpose of the extra gain you need at certain times.

I would...

Curious why turn off PIP if plugging into mic port

If you're going mics > preamp > mic-in, then the mics are already powered via the pre.  No need for plug-in power.

[F.O.Bean]

you can run mics > preamp > into mic in on very quiet events. But turn the PIP on the recorder OFF.

I wouldn't turn PIP off. imho that would be defeating the purpose of the extra gain you need at certain times.

I would...

Curious why turn off PIP if plugging into mic port

If you're going mics > preamp > mic-in, then the mics are already powered via the pre.  No need for plug-in power.

BINGO

[lt-cartman]

Thanks to everyone who replied to the OP

So it's no plugin power for my setup no matter if I use mic in or line in (once the 9100 is in the loop).

Thanks again for your replies

Toolman

[aaronji]

^^^ Yes.  With the 9100 (or a battery box), you don't need plug-in power.  Plug-in power isn't supplied via the line input, so, using line-in, you'll always need external power (i.e. the 9100).  Going mic-in, only use the plug-in power if you are plugging your mics directly into the recorder with no pre or battery box (although it is my understanding that the M10 doesn't really have enough plug-in power voltage to supply your mics well).

[Drgiggles1]

I've had this same question answered by Chris, just couldn't find it till now.

Finally got my ca9100 this week and will be using it for the first time t'row. The way I understand it I should run Line in always with a pre amp. Is this correct or is there situations with the 9100 where I would want to go Mic in. Thanks in advance. 

For quiet shows you can run mic if you need more gain.. Nature recordings and real acoustic performances. For anything else run line in.

My question to you Aaron is and don't take me in the wrong way. How can you get more gain with mic in if PIP is off ?

[ScoobieKW]

I've had this same question answered by Chris, just couldn't find it till now.

Finally got my ca9100 this week and will be using it for the first time t'row. The way I understand it I should run Line in always with a pre amp. Is this correct or is there situations with the 9100 where I would want to go Mic in. Thanks in advance. 

For quiet shows you can run mic if you need more gain.. Nature recordings and real acoustic performances. For anything else run line in.

My question to you Aaron is and don't take me in the wrong way. How can you get more gain with mic in if PIP is off ?

Recorder PIP is low voltage usually below 3v. The CA-14 mics work better with closer to 9V. This is why a battery box is recommended with them. The CA9100 preamp does two things for you. One, it acts as a battery box/power supply for the mics. Two, it adds an amplification stage before your recorder, hence the name preamp. The 9100 adds the gain. The extra power from your preamp/battery box allows the mics to work without distortion at higher SPL (sound pressure levels ie . loud rock shows)

The built in plug in power is designed around small electret mics for recording meetings, voice etc. While your CA-14s will work on straight plug-in power, they won't work to their fullest potential.

And no, using PIP on your recorder won't increase the voltage to the mics that the preamp is providing, they aren't cumulative.