Topic: DPA 4060s and phantom power?

[rustoleum]

I tried searching for my answer, but it just wasn't happening...  I have a single DPA 4060 that terminates into a mini-xlr.  I've used this stealthing with great results  a few times and plan on getting another very soon.  Currently, I'd plug the mini-xlr into what looks like a core-sound battery box (came with the DPA when I bought it used) to make a mono stealth recording via 1/8" in to a recorder.  I'm wondering if there is an adapter I can use to plug the mini-xlr directly into a MiniMe and power it (and it's friend once I buy one) via P48.

I'm thinking about trying this setup in some open taping environments this summer and leave the 481s at home to lighten my load but don't want to fry the mics going directly into the board.  Specifically, I figure using these at my first Red Rocks trip this summer would be a good way to streamline the gear before hoping on a plane and the omni's would work well with the nasty wind I'm expecting to encounter.

If this is legit, what kind of adapter do I need?  I've never seen a mini-xlr to XLR.  Thoughts or other recommendations?  Thanks!

[it-goes-to-eleven]

You would need to drop the 48v to 5-9ish in order to power the dpa.

DPA makes an xlr to microdot adap with a built in circuit to do that but that wouldnt' work with your minixlr. Also, I'm not sure if there is any sonic compromise with that method vs. bbox.

I pulled this supposed schematic of that circuit from some other thread here on the topic and I'm not quite sure who posted it.



Audball, I posted this on the oade thread two years ago, it is from a tech in Kitchener ONT (old DPA service center)
.  I transcribed it exactly into a PDF file but I am not to be held responsible for errors in the scematic since I n
ever have used it.   I hope it helps you get those DPAs you want working.  For the weak eyed: R value is 31.6 K ohms
, C value 2.2 micro farads.  It is for 48V phantom voltage adjustment....FYI, the output from a MPS60X0 box with a f
resh alkaline is approx 8.5 - 9.5V, if you use phantom w/o battery the box outputs 10.5 - 10.7V.

Note: Remember (I know I have said this time and time again), those 406Xs can be threashed on ebay (been thru the ri
nger in theatrical productions), buyer beware!  Also in addition to this, I have heard from no fewer than three part
ies most recently that bought NEW DPA 406Xs that the wiring at the junctions to the mic body and the micro-dot jack
itself gets twitchy.  So you are armed with good relevant info all around.....

[rustoleum]

good info, thanks... I want to retain the ability to run stealth, so I suppose it'd be better to have the pair wired together into a single mini-xlr that would connect to the existing battery box and then just use the 1/8" to go into the MiniMe without phantom enabled.  I have a female 1/8" to dual XLR interconnect I can use for this, so the only task would be the re-wiring job once I get a second 4060.

Any of the known DIYers here up to the task once I have another 4060?  Thanks, freelunch.  +T.

[Church-Audio]

good info, thanks... I want to retain the ability to run stealth, so I suppose it'd be better to have the pair wired together into a single mini-xlr that would connect to the existing battery box and then just use the 1/8" to go into the MiniMe without phantom enabled.  I have a female 1/8" to dual XLR interconnect I can use for this, so the only task would be the re-wiring job once I get a second 4060.

Any of the known DIYers here up to the task once I have another 4060?  Thanks, freelunch.  +T.

I can build you a pair..

Chris

[audBall]

Wow, I've never even owned DPAs.  How'd I get thrown in to the mix?    


If it terminates to miniXLR, wouldn't a Samson PM4 do the trick?  It would allow for phantom, as they step the voltage down to 9-10v, and you won't have to replace the connector.

[Chuck]

This will do the trick. http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,85793.0.html
My sale... I need to sell both though...

[rustoleum]

do you know if this will work?  How much do those step down the 48 volts? I'd probably buy them if I knew I wasn't going to fry my mics.

[audBall]

do you know if this will work?  How much do those step down the 48 volts? I'd probably buy them if I knew I wasn't going to fry my mics.

If they're anything like the PM4's I believe its stepped down to the 9-10v range.  Is that still too much for the DPAs? I thought they only needed 5v or so....but again, never owned them.

[rustoleum]

unfortuantely the DPA site isn't very helpful... it says:

Min. 5 V - max 50 V through DPA adapter


But doesn't indicate at what point the DPA adapter is required.  I would imagine there is a range of acceptable voltages and it's not ONLY 5v, but the specs page doesn't help narrow down what that range is.

[Chuck]

I do know that the Nady adaptors knock the voltage down to 9v DC. They work well with the AT electret mics.

[audBall]

This is the schematic for the DPA Phantom Adapter.  Can someone interpret it (i.e. WTF is the 48v stepped to?) 

[rustoleum]

Thanks for all the help guys... I've got emails out to both DPA and an online retailer inquiring about the acceptable range of direct voltage (or more accurately, if there is one and it's not just limited to 5v).  I'll post when I hear back from them.

[Church-Audio]

I do know that the Nady adaptors knock the voltage down to 9v DC. They work well with the AT electret mics.

In order to get these to work with the dpa mics all he would have to do is short pin 2 to pin 3 and use pin 1 for ground pin 2/3 for signal. If pin one does not have a bypass cap on it he will have to use one. That will be a challenge to find one small enough with a 10uf value he will be forced to use a electrolytic if he bypasses it with a smaller value cap he should be ok so you will have to experiment. I am pretty sure that the sampsons pin 2 signal input will have a dc blocking cap on it internally.
 

Chris

[Chuck]

BZV55C8V2 is an 8.2 v zener diode.
So, that circuit will pass 8.2 volts DC to the microphones.


edit... the data sheet gives a wider range, 7.70v up to 8.7v DC.

[audBall]

BZV55C8V2 is an 8.2 v zener diode.
So, that circuit will pass 8.2 volts DC to the microphones.

Cool. Thanks.

Found this in a quick search.  Here, someone claims that up to 12v is fine:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,45452.msg1128338.html#msg1128338