Electret Microphone with Tascam MX-80

[aeldes1]

Hello,

I am trying to create an 8 microphone array. I will need to connect 8 Electret microphones to a multichannel audio interface with line inputs (Motu 828mkII).

Since the sound card only has line inputs, I will need to power the Electret microphones and amplify the signal. The microphones are powered by the use of a simple RC circuit, and the Tascam MX-80 should provide amplification.

Would the Tascam MX-80 be suitable for such a job? I am assuming the microphone is connected in the back on the RCV RCA jack and the sound card is connected to the SEND RCA jack.

Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks for your time.

[A Reel Person]

The MX-80 can provide phantom power to mics that's fed from the power supply unit into the MX-80 on a 2-prong XLR input connector. With the appropriate power supply and cable, the MX-80 can provide each mic it's phantom power, individually switchable on the back of the unit.

Given that the MX-80 was designed as capable of propagating a phantom power voltage to each of it's mic inputs thru an external power supply, the paradox is that AFAIK Tascam never made the the power supply as a rackmount line-compatible product. I always thought they would have, or should have, but no.

The mics would plug to the MX-80 into the XLR mic input sockets.

For your scenario as described, the 8 amplified mic signals would be output from the MX-80 on the ACCESS-SND RCA jacks, and into the MOTU using unbalanced line inputs. Not being familiar with a MOTU interface, I can't comment further.

Given that constraint, I think the MX-80 could be the appropriate piece of gear for your intended purpose.

Hope that answers your questions.

[aeldes1]

Thanks for you help.. just one more thing.

Originally Posted by A Reel Person

The MX-80 can provide phantom power to mics that's fed from the power supply into the MX-80 on a 2-prong XLR input connector. With the appropriate power supply and cable, the MX-80 can provide each mic it's phantom power, individually switchable on the back of the unit.

The mics would plug to the MX-80 into the XLR mic input sockets.

Can I use the RCA ports instead and power the microphones myself, as I do not have the appropriate power supply/cable for phantom power.

Thanks

[witzendoz]

Just a thought if you wanted to try something else,

You could use any mixer that has phantom power and direct channel outs. If you wanted to use a mixer that has no direct outs (cheaper option), get one that has channel inserts, you can then use the input gain to adjust the volume and feed the send from the send side of each insert to the MOTU line inputs. If you bridge the send and return pins in the stereo insert jack plug you can also monitor the incoming signals on the mixer.

Cheers

Alan.