Desktop microphone plugged into mixer won't work?

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MidiRap

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Yes it's an inexpensive 3.5 mm style Audio-Technica, Labtec PC mic, you know the kind that aren't compatible with Mac's Line-in input because they need mic-level power to run.

Well I plugged the mic into my fender amp and it won't work -
I plugged it into a Behringer Mixer, turned on Phantom power still won't work.
The mic's power requirements say 1 - 10v DC.

I must find a way to get my Audio-Technica ATR4700 Omni Condenser into the mixer.



Do they make line level to microphone level transformers?
help!
 
Is there a place for a battery in the mic ? If not I don't think you can get phantom power down that line to the mic from a mixer.
 
It's a non-powered mic, do i need a preamplifier to run into the mixer?

I've read things about XLR converters and changing the signal from line level to mic level... really confused why it's not responding to my mixer.

Mixer:
Behringer XENYX 802 8-Input 2-Bus Mixer
 
As its a cheap desktop computer type mic (that specifies power requirements in its specs), I would guess that its an electret mic that is meant to be powered by the +5v bias given by the mic-input jack of a consumer soundcard... so called "soundblaster power" :p (can't help but smile a bit at that name)

As far as I'm aware, this is simple +5v DC on the ring of the 3.5mm jack.

If you were desperate, you could probably fashion some kind of inline power supply, though this would probably be way more effort and hassle than its worth.

Plugging it into your mixer won't work.

Phantom power won't work.

It is only really intended to plug into the pink jack on your computer soundcard and that is really it - this reflects its intended usages.


What do you need the mic for?

As you're on a recording forum I guess its for recording, and I hate to sound rude but you really need to be looking at a more suitable mic than that if you want to do recording with it.
 
You need a XLR cord from mic to mixer for phantom power to work
 
My Answer! I found a portable power supply for microphones.
Basically a AA battery plug.

http://www.atomicmall.com/view.php?id=455837

Well it's usefulness is that the Audio Technica ATR4700 Omnidirectional Condenser shares the closest resemblance to the built-in Mac Mic that I love and was inexpensive.
 
You need a battery box to supply the voltage needed.

http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-batterybox.html

-----

reasons for using these mics.

- Stealth
- Battery Box power can last over a week while ON. Not hours or minutes.
- With a battery box, they're not all that bad. Sometimes a ton better sounding than with the mic-level power / bias voltage / plug-in power of the recording devices.
- If you need a lot of mics, it's a cheap way to satisfy that need.
- If you're mic will likely get ruined, why use an expensive one? Smaller mics are also easier to protect from the elements without a lot of extra expense / effort.
 
Doesn't make a lot of sense to spend $60 to plug a $10 mic into a mixer.

OP, get an AT2020 or something. I mean I could send you an adaptor to make that mic work off of phantom, but really, you want a different microphone.
 
You can also DIY a battery box (<$10). Could you get a better suited mic the for the same cash, probably. It really depends on what's good enough for you. A $10 mic on a $0.10 coat hanger, with a battery box (or not). Or a $10 mic on a $30 stand + $20 boom arm + $50 cable + ..........

Another option is to use your computers soundcard to input from the mic and output also to the mixer. Baring obvious latency issues. And other quality issues. One means to an end. Not to imply a prefered means.
 
Shadow,

Don't mean to hijack this thread and it's not specific to home recording, but I'm wanting to set up 2 cheap lavalier mics from ebay on a harmonica holder and run them to a Fender can amp (battery operated). I'd like to be a self sufficient harp/guitar player next year at Burning Man lol. When I plugged them in, no go. They both work fine on my laptop. I'm guessing from this thread that they need some sort of power. They didn't mention that on ebay when I bought them, no surprise. You mentioned making a "battery box". Any feedback on a place to find plans for such a thing? I'm handy with a soldering gun and don't want to spend $65 for $18 worth of mics. Thanks for any feedback.
 
cynabel said:
Shadow,

Don't mean to hijack this thread and it's not specific to home recording, but I'm wanting to set up 2 cheap lavalier mics from ebay on a harmonica holder and run them to a Fender can amp (battery operated). I'd like to be a self sufficient harp/guitar player next year at Burning Man lol. When I plugged them in, no go. They both work fine on my laptop. I'm guessing from this thread that they need some sort of power. They didn't mention that on ebay when I bought them, no surprise. You mentioned making a "battery box". Any feedback on a place to find plans for such a thing? I'm handy with a soldering gun and don't want to spend $65 for $18 worth of mics. Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...

http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/microphone_powering.html#soundcard
 
There's really not much too them. If you've got wire, rosin solder, soldering iron and an old broken / sacrificial radio, you probably have all of the parts needed. If you don't have all that and don't want that, it still might be cheaper to buy one. Although you could borrow some of that if you know someone. It just depends on how cheap you want to be, and how many friends you have. Baring the a-typical t-shirt "friends don't let friends record "that" cheap".

I got one just because it looks cool. Has an on/off switch. Plus all of that aluminimum box and shielded cable stuff to minimize interference issues. Plus 5' of cable on each side of the box, plus 5' of cable between each mic element allows quite the wired separation when needed. Not that I use it much after aquiring better gear. Plus learning a few tricks to make that sound even better.

hrbbs_box1.gif


hrbbs_box2.gif
 
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