Topic: mic preamp for condenser

[JapanRecording]

I use a Roland R-26 portable WAV recorder with condenser mics, including an Audio Technica AT8035 shotgun and a Shure MX-184 Lavalier. I plug either of those mics, with an XLR cable, directly into the Roland R-26's XLR in. Mostly I record human voice with the Shure lav, as well as nature sounds with the AT shotgun, and I get a lot of noise (hiss) with this combination, which makes me think that the signal level isn't sufficient.  I've adjusted the mic SENS on the R-26, but that doesn't help.

For comparison, I get far less noise when I run either of those mics through my inexpensive mini Behringer mixer, using phantom power, and then into the R-26. Unfortunately, the mixer requires wall outlet power so it isn't portable for outdoor use.

The Roland R-26 recorder has phantom power, which I use.  I've also tried recording with the R-26 phantom power off and a battery inside the AT8035 mic. (The Shure MX-184 can't take a battery.)  I have the exact same noise/hiss issue with a battery in the AT8035.

I suspect that the Roland R-26 mic preamp just isn't up to the job of cleanly recording human voice and nature sounds. I read somewhere that recorders such as the R-26 are intended primarily for use recording live music, which usually provides a much louder signal.

I want to make this mic/recorder combination work without it costing me more than the price of the recorder. Does anyone know of a low-noise, single-channel, portable mic preamp for under $400?

[Dantes]

Unfortunately, the main source of noise - microphone.

Personally, I can not advise a decent preamp for the price.
Probably easier change the recorder. However, I did not show this device (R-26) is so noisy.
I recommend that you try a different microphone.

[DSatz]

The Beyer MV-100 is a compact, battery-operated mike preamp that is sometimes available used for less than $400. It has two channels, but no harm occurs if only one channel is used.

There are also people on this board who make and sell their own preamps and other similar equipment, who seem well qualified to do so. I haven't dealt with them myself, but they are highly regarded here, and their products and service are openly discussed in great detail. I know that Naiant (www.naiant.com) is one, and there are also others; maybe some other people here will tell you about them.

--best regards

[Japanofile]

Thanks, everyone!

Avisoft rated that Roland at -124dBu A-weighted EIN

Is that good? bad? just so-so?  I was unaware of Avisoft ratings. I will do more to learn about them.

The Beyer MV-100 does not seem to be in production any more. The Naiant, at $239, looks possible; I'll read up on that. 

While I'm sorting all of this out, let me try another approach: instead of a preamp, I get the sense from the comments that maybe I should spend the money on a different mic....

...you have the AT with a self-noise rating of 22dBA, and the Shure at 26dBA.  Neither microphone will be appropriate for recording quiet sources...

I know it's a big question, but what would be one good, very low noise mic that I might use with the R-26 recorder and an XLR cable for both interviewing and recording somewhat quiet ambient sounds. I'd like something that's fairly directional so I'm not picking up everything.  Something that can tolerate being handheld would be good, but I also have a shockmount, with both a handgrip and a boom pole.  I'd like to keep the mic cost to under $500.

[OldNeumanntapr]

The Beyer MV-100 is a compact, battery-operated mike preamp that is sometimes available used for less than $400. It has two channels, but no harm occurs if only one channel is used.

I have used a Beyer MV-100 since 1999 and have been very happy with it. It is small and easy to use. It will run for around five hours on two 9 volt batteries. The MV-100 is very similar to the Sonosax SX-M2. The Sonosax adds a discrete front end (The MV-100 uses ICs) and the Sonosax has a variable gain, whereas the MV-100 is a stepped gain. Both have XLR inputs and provide phantom power. The MV-100 has RCA outputs and the SX-M2 has XLR outs. The Sonosax sounds a little better, but it's usually almost twice the price. I paid $400 used for my MV-100 from Pete Min through DAT Heads (in '99). I use it with Neumann SKM-140 microphones and an SBM-1 >TCD-D8.

[jielka]

there is one MV100 to sell on ebay.de