No apologies needed, Mac. We all make mistakes from time to time and it is a great relief to see that you too make mistakes sometimes!

Next time you are in Vienna, it would be my honoured pleasure to show you around and introduce you to some of the many jumping joints. Jazz, Folk, Soul, Blues, Classical, whatever... Maybe we could even take in a gig at Birdland / Jazzland / Porgy & Bess (take your pick)?

You might even time it to arrive at one of MY gigs and give me feedback!

And that goes for anyone else on the forums too

Sam

Last time I was out your way, Uncle Sam had arranged this all expense paid trip. Only lottery I ever won. But they took the rifle and the pistol they gave me back when I left. Not to mention the plane...


--Mac

I can't seem to get this mic to work with my PA system (Yamaha StagePAS 300).

It says it needs phantom power 48V - P48 Standard? I don't know whether that is compatable or not... There is certainly a 3 pin mic socket on the mixing desk and the volume is way up but nothing

Thanks

Sam

G'day Sam,
I just had a quick look at the spec's on the 300 and I can't see phantom power mentioned anywhere. Usually, if the mixer provides phantom power there will be a switch on each channel (we used to have a cheapie desk that only had 2 switches - one for each half of the desk) to allow you to control whether phantom power is present or not. I don't see this switch in the image from Yamaha, nore is phantom power mentioned in the specs. I saw...

All is not lost however, I've seen "power injectors" that cater for this problem. A quick "google" revealed this on the first result: http://www.myshopping.com.au/PR--209345_Yoga_PPS01_Phantom_Power_Adaptor_Box

That's an Aussie site, but I'm sure there'll be something local to you.

Thanks, Lawrie

Thought there had to be something wrong. I have no intention of using it on the road anyway and I've just checked my US-122 to see whether it has phantom power. It does! So I guess the problem is resolved as I will be using the US-122 as an Audio interface for recording in any case (which is what I bought the mic for).

Thanks again

Sam

Sam, glad you got it sorted out.

In case it helps for the future, I have that mic, and two other Rode mics. I've found they need a full 48 volts in the phantom power. I've also learned that not all phantom power is alike. Some amps or preamps say they have phantom power, but put out as little as 12 volts. Similarly, some mics say they need 48 volt phantom power, but work on as little as 12 volts. So, test things out in several situations before you draw any conclusions. I was on a gig once, using a mic that I knew worked, and an amp that I knew put out phantom power. You guessed it: each of them worked with other equipment, but that combination did not work.

I have a condensor mike and when i use it with my yamaha mixer it has very low volume, on my presonus preamp it has great volume, I asume the voltage of the presonus is better on the phantom power circuit.

Maybe, maybe not - does the Yamaha have a pad switched in the line? Do you get the same relative levels if you use a dynamic? Is the input of the Yamaha low impedance and the presonus high impedance (I'm assuming the mic is high impedance)?

The little I've had to do with phantom power suggests that it either works or it doesn't, the condensor doesn't actually need much voltage to do it's thing though if there is a preamp in the mic. it might need a bit more.

Looking at the differences between the Yamaha StagePAS 300 and the Tascam US-122, I figure there isn't phantom power on the Yamaha. There is a switch on the Tascam and they usually know exactly what they are doing so, although I have long since lost the manual for the Tascam, I don't think I will have any problems - still haven't had time to try it yet though.

Thanks

Sam

There are many pre-amps out there that have phantom power for not too much money. Here is a page full of them. You will probably find one for less money close to home, but here is a sampling of what you're looking for. I have the Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic200, it was 40 US$ when I got it, it's 50 now. It works fine with my condenser mic but it's a cheap one too, they might match.

Looks like a nice piece of kit and very versatile.

Thanks

Just realised that I can combine my US-122 with my PA system and my laptop and I then have the phantom power I need to be able to use it 'on the road' should I want to

Yet another piece of hardware to carry around though...

Never mind the pedals and pre-amps for my guitar, now I need a pre-amp for my mic too (or do I?)

And that means yet more settings to configure on site. How do you remember them all? Write a note?

NT1 might prove a bit too sensitive for live PA work, feedback could be a very likely big issue there, depending upon what you would intend to do with the mic. Gain before feedback isn't going to be all that great, as compared to one of the modern neodymium magnet mics (Shure Beta 58, Audix OM-5, etc.). And those are dynamic mics that don't require the phantom power anyway.

On top of that, I would never chance subjecting my recording LDC mic to the rigors of the road and changing environmental conditions that would surely entail, either. The are sensitive tools with a purpose, use it for the purpose intended -- recording. Keep it covered and away from exposure to house dust, sunlight and temperature extremes at all other times, also never drop it or place it where it can be dropped or bumped.


--Mac

Mac, I sure never had no dream of using it with a PA. Bought it on recommendation from my SE as a studio mic for voiceovers and such and for recording demo songs....

Ain't really tried it out as yet anyhows but if my SE figures it'll do the job - so is it

STILL ain't figuring on taking such a mic on the road anyways

(Sorry, just kind of slipped into Country there for a minute)

I guess the Brits are still cousins of the Grand Ole US, eh?