Best 9v for SXM2/L2? (Attn: Schoeps>Lemosax users)

[tchoub]

I use Thomann NiMH 250mAh batteries in my SX-M2.
I'm running 48V Oktava mk012 microphones which use 8mA each.

Warning (14V)   260mn
Reserve (12V)     60mn
-------------------------------
Total                320mn


You should get a lot more when using a SX-M2/LS.

[zhianosatch]

[hijack]

does the lemosax put out the right amount power to run DPA406x's, if you were to have the lemo ones off ebay?

thanks
[/hijack]

no way, no how. the 406xs run off something akin to 5v, if memory serves. the sax (or any other preamp) almost never ends up powering 406xs and if they do, it's channeled through a DPA MPS, specifically the MPS-6010.

just re-read your question... and i can't answer it with confidence! i do, however, strongly suspect that the sx-m2/ls2 doesn't output as low as ~5v, which is what the 406xs require.

[Nick Graham]

[hijack]

does the lemosax put out the right amount power to run DPA406x's, if you were to have the lemo ones off ebay?

thanks
[/hijack]

I think Armen answered correctly as far as the voltage goes, but just to follow up - the Lemosax only has one lemo input (and 2 KC5 inputs), for a Schoeps KCY cable, you'd need 2 for 406xs.

[zhianosatch]

[hijack]

does the lemosax put out the right amount power to run DPA406x's, if you were to have the lemo ones off ebay?

thanks
[/hijack]

I think Armen answered correctly as far as the voltage goes, but just to follow up - the Lemosax only has one lemo input (and 2 KC5 inputs), for a Schoeps KCY cable, you'd need 2 for 406xs.

nick's right. are there different forms of the Lemo?

[Brian Skalinder]

the Lemosax only has one lemo input (and 2 KC5 inputs), for a Schoeps KCY cable, you'd need 2 for 406xs.

nick's right. are there different forms of the Lemo?

I always thought the connector shown here - on what I believe is the SX-M2/LS - was a lemo connector (FWIW my old SKM140 set had a shorty mic cable set using these as well):



And that the KCY cable uses a 5-in binder (does it have another name?) like the one shown here on an SX-M2/LS2 (above and in between what I'm calling the lemo connectors):



I've poked around online a fair amount with no verification one way or the other.  Can anyone confirm?

[JasonR]

You've got it right, Brian.  The SX-M2/LS has a pair of 3-pin LEMO connectors.  The SX-M2/LS2 has the same PLUS Schoeps' Binder for connecting directly to the KCY cable setup.  Using the LEMOs requires having cables modified for this use - ie Schoeps KC5 cables.

FYI: LEMO is just a connector manufacturer: http://www.lemousa.com/  The use of this brand connector probably says nothing about cross compatibility with other mic setups using the same or similar connectors.

- Jason

[shaggy]

I thought there was only one flavor of the lemosax, the shit you learn on this board!

I am getting 2-2.25 hours from 150mA NiMH using AKG 480s (SX-M2).  They fast blink about at the 1.5-2 hour mark. I do not get static or distortion as the battery dies but rather the levels start to drop off.  I was using Duracell Pro-Cells occassionally and I would get greater than 2.5 hours from them with the DPA 4060s or Gefell M200 (MPS6030 batt box), I never ran them down enough to get the signal drop (but did get that fast light at 2-2.5 hours).  I am not entirely sure my charger works as well here in Japan as it does in the US.  I assume it takes a wee bit longer to charge the battery but I am not sure if the output voltage from the charger is quite up to spec....

ANDY

[monochromic]

They fast blink about at the 1.5-2 hour mark. I do not get static or distortion as the battery dies but rather the levels start to drop off.

what's the consensus on low power (fast-blinking power light) affecting the quality of the output from the sonosax -- ie, introducing static, distortion, degredation of the signal etc.? a few have reported this being the case.

i've been running rechargeable 9v's for 6 months now with the 'low power light' blinking pretty much from the time i power up the sonosax, which has me a little worried i haven't been getting the best out of the sonosax whilst recording.

[Brian Skalinder]

what's the consensus on low power (fast-blinking power light) affecting the quality of the output from the sonosax -- ie, introducing static, distortion, degredation of the signal etc.?

I haven't noticed any static or distortion.  Signal degredation...tough to say.  I have noticed it doesn't take long from the low batt indicator's initiation to my starting to lose signal strength, requiring ever more higher gain as the batteries drain.  How do your recordings sound to your ears?

[monochromic]

How do your recordings sound to your ears?

recordings have sounded fine to me, no distorition or static, but signal degredation/losing signal strength whilst recording i'm not sure.

[brianp]

nimh rechargeables suck.
Ive had problems with regular Energizers and Duracells. The only reliable 9v in my experience has been the Duracell Ultra's. I think you can get about 4 hours easily, never pushed it past that. fwiw Im running mk4/kc5/cmc6xt into a regular Sonosax, *not* a Lemosax.

cheapbatteries.com has them for about $2-3 a pair (i think)
in the store the Ultra's are close to $6-8 for a pair.

[Nick Graham]

FWIW, I'm doing some tests right now using the Duracell Procell 9v, the cheapest "quality" 9v available. Brian's 10 hours on the E2s were great, but those batteries are $5 apiece...these Procells are 12 for $18.

I'll post the results whenever it dies.

[Nick Graham]

Well, the results are in:

@ 10 hours 58 minutes the low power light started blinking, and the unit died completely 8 minutes later.

11 hours is fantastic for batteries this cheap:

http://store.yahoo.com/filmemporium/dupr9vba12pa.html

12 for $13.58, and I got 'em 2 days after ordering.

[bluegrass_brad]

Procells were my battery of choice when I used an MV-100.  They are also the most widely used battery Ive seen for In Ear Monitors setups, almost every band Ive worked with that has IEM uses them.

[shaggy]

There is no performance difference between the batteries in 9V Duracell alkalines that are labelled for consumer use (store bought bubbled packaging) and industrial Procells that come 12 to a box.  The only difference is the price, since you have bought the Procells bulk...they are naturally cheaper from the manufacturer than a box of display-ready bubble packaged ones.  What you need to check out is the regular 9V that are labelled Heavy Duty.  I think you can get those for 50 cents a piece.  I bet they have 150-200mAH of juice, which is fine for 1-2 hour sets.