Microphone - power module/preamp compatibility

spiro

Hello all,

I decided to buy a relativelly cheap microphone for small gigs or for playing on the street.

Since i dont know much about amplification, i need advice.

I found few lavalier microphones on ebay like Shure SM11 and AT829CW.

I wondered if these microphones (or other cheaper mics with xlr) would work through Audio Technica AT8531 power module.

Thanks

jscook777

Neither of these will work with AT8531. The SM11 doesn't require phantom power or this Audio Technica AT8531 power module to operate. I believe it terminates with a standard XLR plug not the mini xlr connector which is used on the AT8531. The AT829cw terminates in a 4-pin locking mini connector that is made specifically for Audio-Technica wireless belt-packs.

The guys at Audio Technica are super fast with email replies. If you're good with a soldering iron you could ask them if you could rewire the AT829cw to fit the AT8531. But I would try to shy away from that, the mini connectors and lavalier cables can be a pain to work on...

Sorry Man!

crookedpinky

Hey Spiro

that's right - the Shure is a dynamic mic not a condenser which usually need sort sort of power, either phantom or battery.

I recently did a gig with a small condenser mic I bought from ebay - it needed to be supplied with 1.5v get it to and I used a Schertler battery adapter box which comes with their Basik set.

Two things I would add about using these small mics -

1) I'd recommend a uni direction mic rather than an omnidirectional - uni only picks up from the from/omni from all around the mic and therefore increases the risk of feedback
2) use an amp designed for acoustic guitars and/or use a preamp

The mic I used was very very cheap and I mounted it on my guitar with blu-tack ran it through a Schatten preamp and then into a Laney acoustic amp and it worked really well.

I'll send you links to the mics etc. later in a PM.

Alan

PS I was in Croatia recently - the usual tourist places - Makaskar, Dubrovnik, Trogir, Krka - what a beautiful country and fantastic, friendly people and someday I'd love to visit Zagreb.

spiro

Thanks guys,

Alan, my band and I played this whole summer in Dubrovnik I couldnt be with them all the time, bit i stayed for two weeks.

Next time contact us, and we could jam a bit

Pitty for the mics...

So what would i need for Shure to work on my amplifier or through PA?

Thanks

spiro

ALso,

Can these be useful?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Lapel- ... 20bdfb1756

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-Technica- ... 2eb8c75d07

http://www.ebay.com/itm/audio-technica- ... 4ab02dccb5

jscook777

1st auction: Won't work. The connector is a 3.5mm and won't fit the power module which is using a T3 connector.

2nd auction: Will work. The mics have there own power module and you won't need to use yours. I would avoid this one though if you can. The AT803 is an omnidirectional mic and will pick up more sound in all directions. This type of microphone pattern will give you less volume before feedback.

3rd auction. THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT! The AT831b is perfect, this is the cardoid (directional pickup pattern) version of the microphone in the 2nd auction. It has it's own power module so you don't need yours, and it can run off a battery so you can use it with equipment that doesn't provide phantom power. From my experience these mics are great and perfect for Selmers. The clip fits snugly, the tone is awesome, and this mic will give you more volume before feedback than most of the clip-on mics . Bireli, Stochelo, Romane, etc.... all use this mic!

What type of amplifier or PA will you be using with this?

crookedpinky

I bought one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200648352293? ... 1439.l2649

comes with its own little adapter with built in battery power. It worked a treat through an acoustic amp. I don't think a regular electric amp would work but I think it would be ok through a PA.

I ran it through a Schatten preamp but the acoustic amp I have is quite sophisticated and it has a notch filter which is great for dealing with feedback.

I also bought one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNI-DIRECTION ... 3efa8d36ad
which is a better mic than the previous one and it has the advantage of being uni directional so it's better at rejecting sound coming from the rear and therefore less likely to feed back, this mic too needs battery power but the adapter supplied with the previous mentioned mic would work.

Shame we didn't get the chance to meet up - hopefully someday we can do that.

Cheers
Alan

spiro

Cool,

i see i also have one of those power boxes, but with volume potentiometer.

I will probably buy the second one...

I see they have frequency responce 100Hz-12kHz.

Audio technica AT831b that pros use has frequency responce 40Hz to 20kHz.

I dont know about these frequencies and stuff, but it seems like these cheap mics are quite handicaped.

Do our gypsy guitars create frequencies higher than 12kHz?? or lower than 100Hz ?

crookedpinky

I don't think the 100-12khz response affected the sound to any great effect, it sounded ok to me and it even picked up the playing of the violinist sitting next to me. I doubt a gypsy guitar puts out much below 80 - 100 hz and not much above 3 -5kz but no doubt others who know better than I will respond.

I will record some sound clips with the cheap mics soon so you can hear for yourself.

Alan

spiro

Ok,

Thank you Alan