Condenser microphones for MicroTrack ...

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:40 pm

Hi.

I have M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96. And i need to bye couple condenser microphones to equipe it. There is some trouble. Phantom power of MicroTrack is just 30V only. But usual in portable recording devices (as i know) it equals 48V. I dont want use some pre-amplifier.

Could you help me to choose condenser microphones with appropriate phantom power? (It needs to right properly(!!) with 30V only)

Some notes: Cardioid or hyper-cardioid. Price <=$350. Matched pair (if it possible).

My common recordings are upright and grand piano (in studio or small hall).

Thanks.
Ivan.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:39 pm

A lot of mics will work with less than 48v Phantom power, but sometimes with less SPL handling than desirable. It can't hurt to try a few of them first.

Also, the Rhodes stereo NT-4 has a 9V battery to run without phantom. (It works either way, with or without external phantom.) It has a special connector w/stereo cable and two XLR (L&R) outputs, so you'll need some adapters to make it work with the M-Audio unit.

Also, the AT 825 is a nice point and shoot stereo mic, (don't know if it has its own battery, but it's a condenser alright). There are two versions of this, one is unbalanced with a TRS 1/4" jack (Perfect for soemthing like the M-Audio device with an adapter?) and a slightly more expensive version with an XLR connection.

hope this gets you started; good luck in your search.

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:18 am

The AKG C1000s can work on as little as 9V with no loss in quality and can run off standard 9V batteries as well as phantom power. Although they get bashed around here a lot, I find them excellent for recording in a near-coincident pair at distances of 5-15 feet from the sound source. A new matched pair will set you back around $300 if you're okay with ebay.

Chris

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:48 pm

The CAD M37 can sound pretty cool undervolted like that, although at 24v and less it can fold up on you under higher spl's and the boom of ac guitars. Use the roll-off feature to roll off at 100Hz and it gets even better. Decent even for male vox.

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:12 pm

At-3035 Superb mic, you can get a small power supply the size of a DI. Then your rockin. If your just starting out comb the go to your local music store and see if the rental dept is getting rid of any mics, i picked up an ok set of mics that way.
-m

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