Beyerdynamic M-58 isn't recording right

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jdzmumbles

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I am a noise artist that records outside and field sounds to make my music. I need some help though. I have a new Beyerdynamic M-58 hooked up to my crappy Olympus DS-40 recorder through the 1/4 stereo jack. It makesing the Beyerdynamic sound worse than the mics on the recorder. I was think the problem was having to convert XLR to 1/4 stereo jack because the Olympus doesn't have an XLR port, but I am not really sure. Do I need to get a portable recorder with XLR ports or is something wrong with the Beyerdynamic?
 
A couple of problems here.....

The M58 is a dynamic microphone with a balanced output on XLR.

The Olympus, I think, has a stereo input on a mini-jack - also it is, most likely, putting out plug-in power to power an electret condenser mic.

You will need a very special lead to use the Beyer.

Firstly - the basic connections:-

XLR pin-1 to mini-jack sleeve
XLR pin-2 to mini-jack tip *and* ring (so mono signal goes to both left and right channels)
XLR pin-3 to XLR pin-1 - or - to mini-jack sleeve.

In addition to wiring as above, you will need a blocking capacitor inside the XLR to prevent the plug-in power getting to the microphone (the mic. does not need plug-in-power and it causes problems in the mic. if it's on).

I hope this helps.
 
For field recordings I own,prefer and always suggest the Zoom H4n.
Just google it up and read all about it.



:cool:
 
I don't quite understand, sorry for being a n00b. But, with this set up would I have to wire it myself or is there something you can buy that can help? If I try and set this up and it fails I may just get the Tascam DR-100 because it has XLR ports.
 
John Willett said:
A couple of problems here.....

The M58 is a dynamic microphone with a balanced output on XLR.

The Olympus, I think, has a stereo input on a mini-jack - also it is, most likely, putting out plug-in power to power an electret condenser mic.

You will need a very special lead to use the Beyer.

Firstly - the basic connections:-

XLR pin-1 to mini-jack sleeve
XLR pin-2 to mini-jack tip *and* ring (so mono signal goes to both left and right channels)
XLR pin-3 to XLR pin-1 - or - to mini-jack sleeve.

In addition to wiring as above, you will need a blocking capacitor inside the XLR to prevent the plug-in power getting to the microphone (the mic. does not need plug-in-power and it causes problems in the mic. if it's on).

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Phantom power can't hurt a dynamic mic.
 
I am considering the h4n, it does have XLR outputs and it is near the price of the Tascam. Is that my best course of action, buying the h4n?
 
Supercreep said:
Phantom power can't hurt a dynamic mic.
Click to expand...

No - but we are not talking about phantom power, we are talking about plug-in power; which is totally different.

Phantom power is (normally) 48V along a balanced cable.

Plug-in power is normally about 5V and unbalanced to drive a consumer electret mic.
 
John Willett said:
A couple of problems here.....

The M58 is a dynamic microphone with a balanced output on XLR.

The Olympus, I think, has a stereo input on a mini-jack - also it is, most likely, putting out plug-in power to power an electret condenser mic.

You will need a very special lead to use the Beyer.

Firstly - the basic connections:-

XLR pin-1 to mini-jack sleeve
XLR pin-2 to mini-jack tip *and* ring (so mono signal goes to both left and right channels)
XLR pin-3 to XLR pin-1 - or - to mini-jack sleeve.

In addition to wiring as above, you will need a blocking capacitor inside the XLR to prevent the plug-in power getting to the microphone (the mic. does not need plug-in-power and it causes problems in the mic. if it's on).

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

not to thread hijack, but I too am having trouble with an M58, in this case connected to an Edirol R-09 recorder. Would said cable solve my problem too (low levels, lots of hiss)? Would a cable such as this be what you're referring to?

http://www.studiocare.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=62291
 
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