Topic: Edirol R-09 and DPA4061 Questions

[thirdeye99]

Hello –
I’m a newbie to taping and am looking forward to buying my first rig. I have decided on DPA4061 mics and either an Edirol R-09 or a Microtrack. My questions concern the R-09 and its connectivity to the 4061s. Sorry for the complete newbieness of them. I’d like the possibility of plugging the 4061s directly into the R-09 for maximum stealth and ease of setup/operation. Is it possible?  …

1)  Could the R-09 supply enough plug-in power to power the DPA4061s (which I believe require 5v power to operate) without a separate pre-amp? And what is the plugin power of the R-09 exactly?

2)  There is only one line-in input on the R-09, and not two matched like the Microtrack. So considering I’d be using 2 DPA mics, how do you connect them to this one input (probably a dumb question)? Do you need a separate Y adapter or something, and in general how are people connecting the 2 mics into the one input?

3)  I believe the 4061s come with microdot ends for connection. Without using a separate preamp, how could I connect this to the R-09 (which uses 1/8in inputs)? Have it modified to 1/8in?  Or get some kind of microdot > 1/8in adapter?

4)  To get optimum recording quality with external mics (ie. 4061s), do you go mic-in or line-in on the R-09? 
 
5)  Finally, sound quality-wise would it be OK to not use a preamp with DPA4061s and the R-09, or is it really advisable to buy a separate preamp (like DPA’s MMA6000 or MPS6030)?

Thanks a lot in advance for reading this and answering my questions,
Ryan

[olyrc]

If you buy stock 4061s, they'd need to be modded to skip a DPA pre-amp, or to use a battery box.  This is true for the MT or R-09.

Stock 4061s are more expensive than the modded ones you'll find on eBay, but you know pretty much what you're getting that way.

On the MT, you'll want to use a 1/8" > dual 1/4" TRS cable (available from SoundPros for more than a couple bucks, but it's worth it).

I'd recommend the R-09 over the MT for ease of use and peace of mind.  I run 4061s > mma6000 > R-09 (line-in) and am very happy with it.  I never fully trusted the MT.

Good luck & happy recording.

[SunWizard]

Hi,
1. I use AT-853 > R-09 which are similar mics, and the plug power works fine with them (no battery box or pre)  The manual says the plug power is 3.3v and I measured mine at 2.5v.  I use a 9v battery box for loud shows because it allows higher sound levels without distortion.

2+3. adapter or have them modded.

4. line in is slightly better quality than mic-in low gain setting but not much (edit- I ran some more tests and it showed mic-low is almost identical to line-in for self noise.)

5. sound quality is really good with or without an external pre.  It depends on the loudness of what you are recording whether you want an external pre, you might want it for quiet stuff to get lots of gain, or for real loud stuff to avoid distortion.  See my post http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=69131.0 where I tested the self noise of the R-09 with all the different inputs and settings.

[cd2go]

If you want to go the Core Sound route, you can connect the 3.5mm miniplug that comes out of the battery box directly into the line-in on the R-09.  That's the combo i'm using and love it. 

[olyrc]

If you want to go the Core Sound route, you can connect the 3.5mm miniplug that comes out of the battery box directly into the line-in on the R-09.  That's the combo i'm using and love it. 

That would work.  Not many folks around here will recommend CS though...

[neutrino]

If you want to go the Core Sound route, you can connect the 3.5mm miniplug that comes out of the battery box directly into the line-in on the R-09.  That's the combo i'm using and love it. 

That would work.  Not many folks around here will recommend CS though...

I think cd2go was referring to the Core Sound - DPA set which many people here run without complaints, including myself.
dB-

[Nick's Picks]

i just picked up a pair of 61s, and intend to run them into an r09...but my mics terminate in a stereo mini, and I need a way to power them.
suggestion?
the edirol wont swing it, I believe.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

i just picked up a pair of 61s, and intend to run them into an r09...but my mics terminate in a stereo mini, and I need a way to power them.
suggestion?
the edirol wont swing it, I believe.

4061 > 48v dpa adapter > 148 > r09?

I use an SP bbox and it seems really big after using the dongle with the microtrack. I still hope someone can figure a hack to install a 6v battery inside the r09..  I'm sure there would be quite a bit of room for mods if the mics were removed. Though they are handy and I'd hope that isn't necessary.

[sullen]

I use an SP bbox and it seems really big after using the dongle with the microtrack. I still hope someone can figure a hack to install a 6v battery inside the r09..  I'm sure there would be quite a bit of room for mods if the mics were removed. Though they are handy and I'd hope that isn't necessary.

THAT

would be sweet!

[olyrc]

If you want to go the Core Sound route, you can connect the 3.5mm miniplug that comes out of the battery box directly into the line-in on the R-09.  That's the combo i'm using and love it. 

That would work.  Not many folks around here will recommend CS though...

I think cd2go was referring to the Core Sound - DPA set which many people here run without complaints, including myself.
dB-

Caught that.  I was more referring to the (lack of) service that people have reported getting from Core Sound.

[thirdeye99]

Thanks everyone for their thoughts and advice.

I went ahead and got the R-09 over the Microtrack, with the 4061 mics and MPS6030 batt box for max stealth. I'm hoping the lack of an external pre won't hurt me in quiet situations. We'll see. 
Looking forward to taping some local St. Louis shows this weekend.

Ryan

[Nick's Picks]

on stage (just laying on the floor, facing "up") spaced 4'
DPA 4061s > home made BB > r09

http://www.nickspicks.com/mp3/set%202.MP3

this was encoded straight to 192khz mp3 by the R-09.
so, here's a taste of what it sounds like.