Question #2 - Phantom Power and/or Preamps...

[triple cubic]

I searched the board's old posts, but I wasn't able to find anything that resembled my situation, so here goes my second question now that I've purchased my condenser mic...

My current set-up is:

- Audio-Technica AT4040 condenser mic
- Delta 1010LT Soundcard

I know the 1010LT has built-in preamps, but are those sufficient for the AT4040? Also, I guess I will need to buy some phantom power...what's a good one to go with that's not too expensive but yields good results? Will I need an external pre-amp as well if the built-in one's don't work well enough?

Thanks in advance to everybody who replies.

Rock on!

- Triple

 

[triple cubic]

Okay...preamps WITH phantom power don't look too expensive... is the audiobuddy decent? Or do you folks recommend something better...

 

[Gidge]

the Audio Buddy is decent....probably similar to those built into the Delta.....

you can get a phantom power unit only and go into the 1010lt's preamp....

 

[SS454]

Paia sells a dual phantom power preamp as a kit. I don't know if your into building your own stuff, but heres the adress anyway.

http://paia.com/cat2000.pdf

Good Luck

 

[Gidge]

quote from Harvey Gerst in this thread
https://homerecording.com/bbs//showthread.php?s=&postid=270494#post270494

"I think I can explain it pretty simply. You'll need:

a small box,
a female and male XLR,
5 - nine volt batteries,
5 - nine volt battery clips,
two - 6,800 ohm (1%) resistors,
and two small, non-polarized 10 mfd capacitors.

Wire all 5 of the nine volt batteries in series, the (-) of one battery connected to the (+) of the next battery.

Connect the (-) pole of the last battery to Pin 1 of both XLR plugs.

Connect the (+) pole of the first battery to one end of both 6,800 ohm resistors. Tie the other end of the resistors to Pins 2 and 3 of the female XLR (the XLR that goes to the mic).

Connect one of the 10 mfd capacitors from Pin 2 of the female XLR plug (the XLR that goes to the mic) to Pin 2 of the male XLR plug (the XLR that goes to the board).


Finally, connect the other 10 mfd capacitor from Pin 3 of the female XLR plug (the XLR that goes to the mic) to Pin 3 of the male XLR plug (the XLR that goes to the board).The two capacitors prevent the phantom voltage from getting back into the board.

Mount the whole thing in the box, and you're ready to go. You can add a two pole (off/on switch in series with the batteries, if you wanna get fancy and have a shutoff. You can even put an LED in it to indicate "On").

Current drain is minimal, so the damn thing should last forever (even if you leave it on constantly).

If you pick up any stray hum from the box, line it with aluminum foil and connect the foil to Pin 1 of either XLR."

 

[triple cubic]

Okay... I guess I'll go into the 1010LT's preamps then... What's a good source of phantom power? I'd prefer not to mess with buildling my own...

 

[triple cubic]

I've been using the micpre's in the Delta 1010LT for a while, but I am really not too sure how great they are compared to external mic pres...

Basically, I just need a good preamp and/or source of phatom power...

 

[crosstudio]

have you recorded anything with the delta?

if so, did you like the way it sounds? i mean the delta pre-amps?

if so, then just get a phantom power box.

if not, how much are you willing to spend on a preamp?

i use the pre's in my mackie 1604 and i like them just fine. i've only recently entertained the thought of getting a grace 101 or RNP.

 

[crosstudio]

so let me get this straight...

the Delta 1010-LT has 2 XLR pre-amps but does not have phantom power?

what kind of crap is that? The makers of the Tascam 428 did the same stupid thing.

 

[triple cubic]

so let me get this straight...

the Delta 1010-LT has 2 XLR pre-amps but does not have phantom power?

what kind of crap is that? The makers of the Tascam 428 did the same stupid thing.

Yes, that is correct. I don't know why they did it that way, but that's how they did it.

Thanks for the advice on the Mackie 1064. I'll look into that.

But if I go into the Mackie 1064, then into the Delta 1010LT, will it be like using TWO preamps or something? I don't get it...

 

[crosstudio]

if you've already got one:

turn the gain on the 1604 all the way down and use the insert jack of the mackie into the 1010 so you don't go through all of the other stuff that the 1604 has. you'll just be hitting the phantom power, and mic-pre and then straight to the 1010.

otherwise,

i do believe that whirlwind makes phantom power boxes. i use their direct box and i'm pleased with it.

 

[triple cubic]

Where can I pick up some of this stuff? I've been checkin' some sites, but haven't been able to find much of it...

I have found some phantom power supplies by Audio-Technica, Shure, and Rolls are for pretty cheap...Are these decent? Here's a link to what I found:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021006144612064167237213605588/search/g=home?q=phantom+power

And what if I want to use an external preamp INSTEAD of the one in the card? How do I shut off the preamps in the Delta 1010LT?

 

[triple cubic]

Audio Buddy looks pretty good...

Preamp and phantom power for $100.