How to hook up a condesor mic

[cmac11]

This is the ultimate dumb question. I am REALLY new at this. Bought an AT2020 Condesor mic yestedray.I thought it hooked up like any other mic I have run through my amplifier...not so. It is doing nothing. I bought a Shure SM58 and it works great. Is there something else I need to use a Condensor mic? Feeling really stupid. I'm using a Fostex160v portable home studio unit. HELP! I'm in the position now to buy REAL equipment, but maybe I moved to fast on this one. CMAC

 

[Seidy]

does your Fostex have phantom power +48V?
condenser mic's need that to operate.

if your Fostex doesnt have phantom, then you can consider buying mic preamp that has phantom power.

 

[Common Dreads]

Like Seidy said. If there is no button or switch on your Fostex for Phantom Power (sometimes symbolised by +48) then you will need to look in to getting a pre-amp or mixer that contains a phantom power option. You could pick up a little pre-amp for a few hundred dollars and that should hook up into your Fostex fine.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I think you mean Fostex VF160EX. If so, you see that little light to the left of the view screen that says "phantom"? You need to find out how to turn it on. Check in the manual under "phantom power". Note: Don't plug in or unplug the mic with the phantom power turned on. First, turn the channel volume to zero. Then, plug in the mic. Then, turn on the phantom power, and bring the volume up slowly. For unplugging, the same thing in reverse. Volume to zero first, then turn off the phantom power, then disconnect the mic. On the off chance that I have the wrong unit, and you really don't have phantom power, you don't need a preamp. You can just get a phantom power supply, like this:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend....udio-PHP1-48V-Phantom-Power-Supply?sku=151084

Best of luck-Richie

 

[cmac11]

Thanks

Wow, such quick responses. Much appreciatted. The unit I have is the Fostex VF160EX and I will lok for the phantom power button. Hopefully this will help, if not thanks for the optional info about the Phantom Power supply.
CMac

 

[moresound]

I think you mean Fostex VF160EX. If so, you see that little light to the left of the view screen that says "phantom"? You need to find out how to turn it on. Check in the manual under "phantom power". Note: Don't plug in or unplug the mic with the phantom power turned on. First, turn the channel volume to zero. Then, plug in the mic. Then, turn on the phantom power, and bring the volume up slowly. For unplugging, the same thing in reverse. Volume to zero first, then turn off the phantom power, then disconnect the mic. On the off chance that I have the wrong unit, and you really don't have phantom power, you don't need a preamp. You can just get a phantom power supply, like this:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend....udio-PHP1-48V-Phantom-Power-Supply?sku=151084

Best of luck-Richie

.^^^^ A common noob mistake plugging in or unplugging a condenser mic with phantom power on.
After the first couple of times of hearing that Earth shattering KA-BOOM and if your equipment is still in one piece you'll never do it again.
Nothing like being sprayed in the face with what's left of your speakers to put an end to that habit!!

 

[Richard Monroe]

.^^^^ A common noob mistake plugging in or unplugging a condenser mic with phantom power on.
After the first couple of times of hearing that Earth shattering KA-BOOM and if your equipment is still in one piece you'll never do it again.
Nothing like being sprayed in the face with what's left of your speakers to put an end to that habit!!

The cool part is when the mic dies also...

 

[moresound]

The cool part is when the mic dies also...

Very bad ju ju when that happens.

 

[grimtraveller]

When you have a Nigerian background, "Juju" has a meaning all of it's own......

When I was researching digital recorders a few years back, my two final choices out of dozens came down to this Fostex or the one I eventually ended up with {an AKAI DPS12i}. Looked like a bomber of a 'plane !

 

[Richard Monroe]

When you have a Nigerian background, "Juju" has a meaning all of it's own......

Ju Ju is just the flip side of Mojo. Jedi vs. Sith. Isn't always like that?

 

[grimtraveller]

Ju Ju is just the flip side of Mojo. Jedi vs. Sith. Isn't always like that?

Well, kind of. To the people there though, it's a living reality, a tangible dalliance with the 'dark arts'. The Sith kind of fit the concept well, when I think of the emperor !

 

[moresound]

Use the ju ju Luke.