Topic: Phantom Power For Studio Projects C4 mics

[Cheesecadet]

Hey just curious if anyone out there knows if the C4s will work with just a dual channel 48v phantom power into my Sony M1?  Will that be enough juice to get a line level or would I have to run them at mic level?

Basically I am looking at these two setups:

1.) C4's > Rolls PB224 > Sony PCM-M1
2.) C4's > ART Phantom II > Sony PCM-M1

Does anyone know if this setup would yield good results?  I am planning on getting phantom power that can be battery powered so I do not have to by an external battery to run the phantom power.

I also do not want to have to buy a preamp (i.e UA-5).  My main goal is to keep my gear minimal and still have good recordings.

Currently i run some old Sony ECM-19B's > Sony PCM-M1 and am happy with the results.  I am however thinking about upgrading my mics.

You can email me privately if you wish or on the board.

cheesecadet@gmail.com

Thanks!

[Zaphod]

Hey Ryan

You might need some transformers to get hot enough levels when running with just a phantom power box. EDIT: The transformers would be for running out of the P48 box>line-in on the M1

[blowluver]

I know that awhile back someone was running TL's -> ps2 -> sbm-1, so the config. you speak of is do-able. Still, the transformers are your best bet and you can control their gain through the m-1.

[Krispy D]

tha art phantom II is not a small box.  I just sold mine to bean.  I know you don't want to have external batts but if your gonna run a phantom box the size of the art you might as well get a ua5 and have the pre to go with it!  then there is no worry about line levels...

just my $.02

[dnsacks]

I echo the recommendations to go with the ua5, but if you're set on going the p48 box route, I STRONGLY recommend getting line transformers to go line-in, and would also recommend the denecke ps2 over the 2 p48 boxes you referenced.

If you skip the line transformers go c4>p48>mic-in on the m1, you'll run into mic preamp brickwalling problems on the m1, which will cause your tapes to suffer.

[cgrooves]

You will be running basically the same rig as me.  You will need line transformers in order to get a good signal going line-in to the m1.  I'm able to run my m1 recording level at 10 for 99% of the shows I tape, which allows the A/D in the m1 to perform at it's best.  The Art Phantom II will cost you much less than the Denecke unit and the size difference is negligible, IMO.  Search for an Art Phantom II thread here where I listed the dimensions of each unit. 

[Cheesecadet]

Hey Cgrooves..do you think that the Hosa MIT-156 would still work instead of the Hosa MIT-176?  It says on the Hosa site that the 156 is a Lo-Z to Medium-Z transformer...whereas the 176 is a lo-z to High-z transformer.

I ask about the 156 because it is termintaed in a 1/8" instead of the 1/4" like the 176...which would cut down on my adapter that I would need.

Any thoughts?

[cgrooves]

The m1 has a high impedance on line-in that can accept a hot feed (unlike many 'consumer' decks).  As I said earlier, I am able to run my recording level fully open (10) at 99% of the loud shows I go to.  If you go with the 156 I doubt you would get strong enough levels but you could always boost it in post.  The (2) 1/4" rts to 1/8" stereo mini y-cable doesn't add that much bulk to the chain.  I keep my entire rig in one of those small 6-pack coolers that they sell at wal-mart.  I route the mic cables through the velcro access lid on the top of the cooler and don't have to worry about a beer being spilled, or rainfall for that matter.

[Cheesecadet]

Cool thanks for the info!

[Cheesecadet]

How much recording time do you get out of a new battery with the ART Phantom II?  I am hoping more than a show or two...

[Krispy D]

How much recording time do you get out of a new battery with the ART Phantom II?  I am hoping more than a show or two...

depends on the mics I believe. 

[cgrooves]

The Art unit uses one battery per channel (2 total), while the Denecke unit uses one battery only.  Don't know about the life expectancy for the Denecke, but I have re-used my current 9v's in my Art for 10 plus shows and they are still strong.  I would probably still be on the original set if I hadn't of accidentally left the unit on once.  I use a small rat-shack battery tester before going to each show to verify that all is good.  FWIW, most people claim the rechargeable 9v's aren't very good.