Audio interface for Sennheiser MK4

[Maxmanta]

Hi, all....

I'm pretty new at home recording, so bear with me. I plan on using a Sennheiser MK4 LDC mic to record on either an Ipad or PC.

The interface I use now is a Focusrite Itrack solo. It works beautifully with my EV RE20/fethead preamp. However when I use my MK4, the gain must be turned up to maximum to get any signal and, even then, there is alot of hissing (the 48v phantom power is turned on). I tried using the fethead with it but then I can't get anything (the phantom power powers the fethead but not the mic).

DO I need more gain? The Itrack solo supposedly provides 70db of gain by itsself. Would running the MK4 through it's own preamp, then into the interface help?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Maxmanta]

Sounds like you've got things setup right and from the specs in the manual the iTrack Solo appears to have +55dB of gain available (not sure where you saw the 70dB gain number) which should be adequate for the MK4. Gotta ask..... .. the MK4 is different than the RE20, in that the RE20 is an end fired addressed mic, sing/speak into the end. The MK4 is side addressed and you sing/speak into the side that has the Sennheiser symbol and cardioid heart. If you're doing that and the RE20 works with the FetHead OK, it sounds as is the MK4 might have a problem.

- Is it damp or humid where you are? If the capsule has moisture on it, it may have low output and noise. It can be dried out putting it in a ziplock bag with some desiccant packs or placed in a warm (not hot) dry area for a while.
- Cable worked for the RE20 and FetHead, so that shouldn't be a problem, but if you have an extra to try it can't hurt.
- Does the problem exist with both a PC and the iPad? The PC should be able to power the iTrack Solo OK with the current draw of the MK4 (3.1ma), but perhaps it could be a bit much for the iPad(?).
- Is the MK4 new or used and do you have a way to test it either with a friend that has a mixer or other gear with phantom power or a music store you have a good relationship with?

Thank you for the reply. I brought the RE20 home from school and it's been working beautifully, but I wanted to try out an LDC mic. You're right about the 55db gain in the ipad, btw. The fethead was necessary for the RE20.

I tested it at Guitar Center and they said there's nothing wrong with it. In fact, they're the ones who suggested a seperate preamp. The problem exists for both the ipad and the PC (I'm using Audacity).

I bought the MK4 used from a church and I don't know what kind of preamp they were using. Would using a preamp plus the itrack's gain be a problem? I'm told the MK4 needs more of a gain boost than others in it's category.

JCF