Lately I've noticed that I have to use quite a lot of gain on my mic preamps to get a good level out of my Phanthera V.
I decided to use a 1 kHz sine wave to test the Phanthera against my AKG C414.
According to specs the Brauner has a higher sensitivity than the C414:
Brauner 33 mV/ Pa Cardiod
C414 20 mV/Pa (-34 dBV) +/-0.5 dB
So I was surprised to see that the C414 produced a hotter signal with the sine wave than the Brauner by 5 dB.
Should having a higher sensitivity equal a hotter signal? If so then does this mean my Phanthera is not working properly?
*I tested both mics at exactly the same distance from the speaker producing the sine wave and both mics went through the same pre.
Thanks for any tips that can point me in the right direction!
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Boswell, post: 409336 wrote: Check the position of the 10dB pad
Boswell, post: 409336 wrote: Check the position of the 10dB pad switch on the front of the Phanthera V.
Despite what the headline figures say, the [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.brauner-…"]spec sheet[/]="http://www.brauner-…"]spec sheet[/] for this mic gives a sensitivity figure of 28mV/Pa in Cardioid.
What pre-amp were you using for this test? Did you baffle the room to the rear and sides of the microphones to eliminate the effect of reflections? Have you tried different sinewave frequencies to see if your result is consistent?
Thanks for your reply--I appreciate your thoroughness--I am meticulous about A/B tests so yes the 10 dB pad was disengaged, my room is nicely treated, I used an API 512 C--I made measurements of each mic position down to the cm--ran each mic through the same pre using the same mic cable--yes, tried pink noise, white, random and used a song playing back through the speakers. The Phanthera is without a doubt producing less output. Even if the sensitivity specs on the Phanthera V are slightly "doctored" shouldn't it still produce a more robust signal than the C414 when both mics are being fed the exact same thing?
Well, yes, if you believe the data sheet figures. It's unlikely
Well, yes, if you believe the data sheet figures. It's unlikely that the C414 output was much higher than expected, so it could be that your particular Phanthera V mic has a problem.
It looks as though you were commendably careful about how you conducted the tests, but did you try the pad switch to see if the Phanthera output did actually drop by a further 10dB?
Boswell, post: 409341 wrote: Well, yes, if you believe the data
Boswell, post: 409341 wrote: Well, yes, if you believe the data sheet figures. It's unlikely that the C414 output was much higher than expected, so it could be that your particular Phanthera V mic has a problem.
It looks as though you were commendably careful about how you conducted the tests, but did you try the pad switch to see if the Phanthera output did actually drop by a further 10dB?
Yes, I also tried with -10 dB pad engaged--Phanthera output was even less than normal so I believe the pad works as it should. Just curious, as far as specs go, are you familiar with these 2 mics? Maybe I am missing something, i.e., perhaps the 414 should be a bit hotter?
Phanthera:
Equivalent Noise
Signal to Noise > 83 dB (1 Pa/1 kHz-Cardioid)
Sensitivity 33 mV / Pa-Cardioid
Pattern Omni, Cardioid, Figure Eight
Frequency Range 20 Hz - 22 kHz
Maximum SPL 142 dB SPL @ 0,3 % THD
Power Supply 48 V phantom power
C414:
Audio Frequency bandwidth 20 to 20000 Hz
Sensitivity 23 mV/Pa
Equivalent Noise Level 6 dB-A
Max 158dB SPL
Signal to Noise 88 dB-A
Preattunation Pad -6; -12; -18 dB
Bass Cut Filter 160; 80; 40 Hz
Electrical Impedance 200 Ohms
Recommended Load Impedance 2200 Ohms
Check the position of the 10dB pad switch on the front of the Ph
Check the position of the 10dB pad switch on the front of the Phanthera V.
Despite what the headline figures say, the [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.brauner-…"]spec sheet[/]="http://www.brauner-…"]spec sheet[/] for this mic gives a sensitivity figure of 28mV/Pa in Cardioid.
What pre-amp were you using for this test? Did you baffle the room to the rear and sides of the microphones to eliminate the effect of reflections? Have you tried different sinewave frequencies to see if your result is consistent?