hello
saxophone....
i use an LCM 85 condenser mic with its pre amp from sd systems.

my pre amp has had its day and is not working.

can anyone recommend a pre amp belt pack on the cheap side.the replacement for my existing pre amp is over £100.

existing pre amp has mic input(1/4 jack) xlr output to speaker.
volume and tone control. runs off 9v battery.

i just use for it for busking (uk) so im not looking for expensive stuff.
thanks

does the sax mic need phantom power (i assume it does) do you have mains supply for the amp you are busking with or is that battery too?

does the sax mic need phantom power (i assume it does) do you have mains supply for the amp you are busking with or is that battery too?

Bob
the mic didnt need phantom power while i was using my preamp but without a preamp -
yes it would need phantom power, my amp does not offer phantom.


i use the roland street cube amp(8x AA batteries.
the preamp which is kaput runs from 9v battery and did the job.

I dont use any mains power or deep cycle 12v
batteries.

i was assuming that i could use any preamp as long as it was for a condenser mic condenser mic
(the belt pack type)
but because im not fully clued up on preamps i thought i would ask around.
the preamp i use came with the mic and obviously sd systems only recommend their own gear which is very expensive (to me)
Thanks for your reply.

There's not much complexity to a preamp and barring a proprietary chip (doubtful), it's likely repairable and at much less cost than replacement. If you don't know any shop locally, check the manufacturers web site for an authorized service center location. If they don't list one or allow returns to their factory, review similar name brand manufacturers for their authorized service centers and contact them directly. Most of the authorized service centers are not confined to one brand and service multiple brands and it's likely they would accept your unit for repairs even with no warranty involved.

Update:
I looked at SD Systems site and they have contact info for repairs, parts and accessories. Most companies are very accommodating with repairs and the SD line looks to me as if it's of a quality worthy of repair versus replacement.

Charlie
thanks for reply.

it is the preamp housing rhat is the problem. it is broke into approx 10 pieces , i have taped it up glued it(botch job im embarrassed) but when i am connected it is a bit hit and miss.

the circuit board inside isnt that secure so im thinking the connection misses occasionally.
the housing cant be repaired, its in a terrible state.

Anyway i found a replacement housing from sd and its 38 euro.
i will probably go for that.

another question
does the preamp affect the quality of the mic or is it just a mic booster.

once again thanks

<< It is the preamp housing that is the problem. >>

I'm guessing you are right about that. That it works at all speaks well for the quality of the product.

<< The circuit board inside isn't that secure so I'm thinking the connection misses occasionally. >>

This is also likely true and there could be cracks in the circuit board as well but they should be easily repairable.

<< Anyway I found a replacement housing from SD and its 38 euro. >>

That sounds like a bargain and worth the effort. If you attempt the repair yourself, take photos of everything as you open up and disassemble the unit. I also draw block and wiring diagrams along the way. Also compare the new housing with the damaged housing to make sure they've provided the correct model and version and that all the holes are the correct size and in the correct place and that every opening is where it's supposed to be...

<< Another question: Does the preamp affect the quality of the mic or is it just a mic booster? >>

Yes, preamps will affect the sound of the microphone. Any microphone and every microphone. Hopefully for the better and with your SD, that's likely the case. There will be subtle differences between different mics and different brands of mics as well as different preamps. In most uses, a preamp will improve the sound of an inexpensive microphone making mic preamps an important part of the recording chain in home studios.

thanks