Idea for VMS (& other 12v m-tip reverse polarity gear)

[noahbickart]

I have a Schoeps vms02ib, which, according to Ted's excellent sticky at the top of this sub requires 9-16v / Schoeps DC Connector tip model # DIN45323  / Center pin (-)  Ring (+) Reverse Polarity

As the internal battery option is 8 x AA, why not use the following:

M-Tip reverse polarity adaptor cable ($5.60):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Guitar-Reverse-Polarity-Converter-Cable-Lead-for-Keyboard-Guitar-Pedal-5-5x2-1mm/131446350790?epid=1292368177&hash=item1e9ad023c6:g:1pAAAOSw--1WrDzQ

8 x AA battery holder with on/off switch and m-tip ($2.90)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-AA-Cells-Battery-12V-Clip-Holder-Box-Case-with-Cover-ON-OFF-Switch-Wire-Lead/252385718968?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3D08c242895c0549fba2d8c22b37928a1b%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D401204561387%26itm%3D252385718968&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

It seems like such a solution would be very inexpensive ($8.50 plus shipping) and convenient. Rechargeable AA's are plentiful and one could always use disposables in a pinch.

I suspect this could also work for lots of other 12v gear.

Thoughts?

[yug du nord]

Seems like it should work.

Years ago when I ran a 02IB, I used a 9v DVD battery and Radio Shack Adapta-plug with the tip (I don't remember what size) reversed on the preamp end. 
Worked perfect.
YMMV.

[todd e]

i really like this option too.  the internal sled is oriented in such a way that replacements from newegg mouser b&h are incorrect.  thank you for ideas/links.

[perks]

I think this is the key...... Schoeps DC Connector tip.

The M-tip adapter will power the VMS but it will not be a rock solid connection and slightest bump to the cable is likely to disrupt DC power temporarily.

So a perfect world solution might be to hack off the M-tip on that adapter and replace it with Schoeps' proprietary connector. From what I can see all Schoeps did was to add a rubber donut ring to the end of a M-tip to get it to seat correctly into the VMS' DC power pin on the front of the box.

[noahbickart]

I think this is the key...... Schoeps DC Connector tip.

The M-tip adapter will power the VMS but it will not be a rock solid connection and slightest bump to the cable is likely to disrupt DC power temporarily.

So a perfect world solution might be to hack off the M-tip on that adapter and replace it with Schoeps' proprietary connector. From what I can see all Schoeps did was to add a rubber donut ring to the end of a M-tip to get it to seat correctly into the VMS' DC power pin on the front of the box.

The problem is that Redding says they don't have any more of the tips.

[yug du nord]

Not trying to hijack thread...  but I ran a 02IB for 2-3 years with the adapta-plug tip and never ever had a power issue.
I'll try to see if I have a record of what size tip I was using...  but whatever size it was, it fit perfect.

[perks]

Yep - Steve Toney managed to track down a Schoeps vendor in Germany a few years back and snapped up what was left of their inventory of Schoeps tips. He super-generously gave me one and then I got a 2nd when I bought my 2nd VMS ( I believe the seller got his from Steve as well). Its amazing that something so tiny, simple, and inexpensive can throw a wrench into using the VMS efficiently.

One of the other things Steve helped me with was he got a few of the battery sleds and hacked off the metal arms (not sure what to call these) that make the battery sled connection inside the VMS. He flipped those metal arms around and superglued it all back together which effectively made a normal battery sled into one that now has the needed reverse polarity. Not the prettiest battery sled hack but it works and I have more confidence in using the sled (especially when taping lo-pro) that I do using an external battery that needs to be plugged into the front of the VMS.

[perks]

Not trying to hijack thread...  but I ran a 02IB for 2-3 years with the adapta-plug tip and never ever had a power issue.
I'll try to see if I have a record of what size tip I was using...  but whatever size it was, it fit perfect.

Guy - it fits but it can easily jiggle around? So if you have it set in your bag and nothing touches it then no problems but if someone were to accidentally kick the bag you could have a momentary disruption in power? Just guessing but that is my experience with the adapta plug solution. I used those for a while before Steve fixed me up with the real deal Schoeps plug.

I like Noah's solution and hope someone spends the $10 to test it out.

[noahbickart]

Here's the thread with Steve's really useful information: https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=170684.0

TL/DR= M tip works, but is liable to shorting if pulled while the unit is on. He suggests that as long as one is careful to turn the unit off before pulling the plug, the m-tip should work just fine.

I'm really intrigued by the notion of hacking one of the standard 8 AA battery holders, so as to use it internally.

This whole mind exercise comes from a deep place of fear: When my plastic battery holder dies, how will I continue to run my VMS?

[perks]

mmmm I'm useless with tools or DIY hacks although I'm fascinated watching what other creative people can do. I'm wondering how hard it could be to engineer a rubber (or even gaff tape/heat shrink/epoxy) donut to fit around the end of the M-tip adapter effectively creating a Schoeps-like tip.

Otherwise the battery sled hack looks like something I would attempt to tackle if/when I break the sleds I got from Steve.   

[rippleish20]

I have a Korg MR1000 and it uses atypical connector. One of the Tekkeon Adapta-plug type connectors worked. Perhaps of of those would work of this too? Then you just reverse tip so negative and positive were switched...

[perks]

I have a Korg MR1000 and it uses atypical connector. One of the Tekkeon Adapta-plug type connectors worked. Perhaps of of those would work of this too? Then you just reverse tip so negative and positive were switched...

The problem is the adapta plug does fit on the pin but the VMS has a lot of open space around the area you plug the adapta-tip onto and therefore it can slide around if jostled preventing plug from seating tightly around the pin. The Schoeps version of the plug that is no longer available has a rubber ring around the end of the M-tip connector that fills the open space inside the VMS making the plug fit snugly. My explanation probably isn't making this clear without having pictures.

[rippleish20]

I have a Korg MR1000 and it uses atypical connector. One of the Tekkeon Adapta-plug type connectors worked. Perhaps of of those would work of this too? Then you just reverse tip so negative and positive were switched...

The problem is the adapta plug does fit on the pin but the VMS has a lot of open space around the area you plug the adapta-tip onto and therefore it can slide around if jostled preventing plug from seating tightly around the pin. The Schoeps version of the plug that is no longer available has a rubber ring around the end of the M-tip connector that fills the open space inside the VMS making the plug fit snugly. My explanation probably isn't making this clear without having pictures.

I get the idea.


An alternative then is to search for DIN45323. This is apparently a standard German connector and variations are available from other manufacturers. Many appear to be in Europe but I see some avaiable in the US.

http://www1.futureelectronics.com/doc/Friwo/1807701.pdf
https://www.buerklin.com/en/1807703-hollow-plug-to-din-45323/p/24k4412

[perks]

^ The pic in this link you posted looks almost identical to the plug on my cable. Eureka! I think you found it 

https://www.buerklin.com/en/1807703-hollow-plug-to-din-45323/p/24k4412

[noahbickart]

^ The pic in this link you posted looks almost identical to the plug on my cable. Eureka! I think you found it 

https://www.buerklin.com/en/1807703-hollow-plug-to-din-45323/p/24k4412

I wonder if Ted can marry this to the AA box above....