Using microphones with 1/4" jack and the trascam 388

  • Thread starter Thread starter drrats
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drrats

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I'm hoping someone might have so insight into whats going on here. Whenever I try to use a mic with a 1/4" jack as opposed to an XLR connector I get no signal coming into the channel on my 388. I've also used a DI to balance the signal into an XLR connection and then put that into the desk but still nothing happens. The mics are definitely working as I've tested them with other gear. I feel like I'm missing something very simple here . . . any ideas?
 
If you are plugging the mic into a 1/4 socket on the back of the Tascam, you would not get much of a signal, because that is expecting a line-level signal. Stick with XLR, that's what it's for.
 
is there any way to use my mics with a 1/4" jack with the 388? I have some dynamic mics from old 60s reel to reels that sound great and would really like to be able to use them. I have plugged the microphones 1/4" jack into my DI, and then an XLR from the DI to the 388 but still get nothing.
 
Yes,...

Use a 1/4"(F) to XLR(M) adapter.
 

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Why would he not be getting signal after plugging his 1/4" into a D.I. box and then going through the XLR out? I would think that it would work just like using the above adapter, no?
 
Level Anything said:
Why would he not be getting signal after plugging his 1/4" into a D.I. box and then going through the XLR out? I would think that it would work just like using the above adapter, no?
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Do you have the source select switch set to LINE? That's how you get signal plugged in to the 1/4" to the channel strip. But the TRIM knobs only effect the MIC input. You'll need to use an adapter as shown earlier in the thread, or use an external mic preamp. It is highly likely that, even if you have the source select switch set to LINE, the signal level coming from the MIC connected to the 1/4" jack is way too low for the line level amplifier. HTH.
 
Plugging a mic into a DI box is pointless - it's job is the reverse! Taking in a line level signal and reducing it down to a mic level and turning unbalanced into balanced is their job. Plugging in a mic, and then trying to use the XLR out gives even less!

A dynamic medium impedance unbalanced mic with a jack can be can be connected to a normal XLR by simply making up an adaptor - ¼" socket to XLR plug. pins 1 and 3 in the XLR connected together, and pin 2 wired to tip, and ⅓ to sleeve. Works totally fine with dynamics, and of course won't work at all with a condenser mic - but you never get those with unbalanced connections anyway.

Just make an adaptor - or if you have no ¼" kit any longer, cut the plug off and solder on an XLR.

Don't forget many elderly dynamics from the 60s/70s are high impedance - 600Ohms becoming common from the early 70s - before that, it was 50K or so.
 
ah thanks so much everyone! such a simple solution. Also good to know theory behind why Rob!
 
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