The 99¢ K-Micro condenser mic. Yep, 99 cents.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dot
  • Start date Start date
what's the point of buying 5?

anyone out there really have 240v of phantom power?
 
cello_pudding said:
what's the point of buying 5?

anyone out there really have 240v of phantom power?
Click to expand...

...each individual mic pre (in your mixing board, for instance) provides phantom power (48v)...it's shared (not multiplied)...if you have 6 mic pres, still just 48v, not 48v x 6...

...as I posted in a prior response, we've been using 2 of the original K-Micros as overheads on live gigs (4 pc. band)...adds a nice "ambient presence" to the total soundfield...my sound tech loves 'em...he says their a great "tool" for being creative...their small size makes them very versatile for positioning in tight applications...at $5 they're a "gimmee" for sure!... :D
 
Hah- I heard from Belinda at Karma that they might have matched pairs of these at some point! :)
 
cello_pudding said:
what's the point of buying 5?

anyone out there really have 240v of phantom power?
Click to expand...

So, by your theory only one outlet in your house can only run one lightbulb? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Kid's right, each XLR on your mixer puts out 48v Phatom on each channel. That doesn't mean the mic consumes all of the volatge. Some mics work on 24v. Some on 48v. I would think you could probably run a few off the power of one channel, if there was a way to do it.
 
I heard the second round of mics sent out were going to have diffrent specs.... does anyone know what they are supposed to be??
 
PhilGood said:
So, by your theory only one outlet in your house can only run one lightbulb? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Kid's right, each XLR on your mixer puts out 48v Phatom on each channel. That doesn't mean the mic consumes all of the volatge. Some mics work on 24v. Some on 48v. I would think you could probably run a few off the power of one channel, if there was a way to do it.
Click to expand...

A single 48v phantom source is usually limited to give 14 mA current (using two parallel 6k8 resistor in series with the 48V supply) so in theory one phantom output (=mic input) out gives you about 0.67 watts of power.
 
mhelin said:
A single 48v phantom source is usually limited to give 14 mA current (using two parallel 6k8 resistor in series with the 48V supply) so in theory one phantom output (=mic input) out gives you about 0.67 watts of power.
Click to expand...

All of which would be dissipated in the supply resistors. The most possible power to the mic is 0.17W.
 
I had a chance to plug mine in. Not to really asses them at all. But just to see if they work.

One is DOA.

I took it apart and it appears pin 2 came delaminated from the pc board. It should be a simple fix if I can work with that microcircuity.

One thing I did notice is that pin 3 is not even connected.... Yep these mics are unbalanced!
I would not use them on long cable runs, or probably anything at all. lol Maybe for talkback and that's it. But even then I prefer omni talkbacks so that the mic picks up everybody in the tracking room.
 
tarnationsauce2 said:
I had a chance to plug mine in. Not to really asses them at all. But just to see if they work.

One is DOA.

I took it apart and it appears pin 2 came delaminated from the pc board. It should be a simple fix if I can work with that microcircuity.

One thing I did notice is that pin 3 is not even connected.... Yep these mics are unbalanced!
I would not use them on long cable runs, or probably anything at all. lol Maybe for talkback and that's it. But even then I prefer omni talkbacks so that the mic picks up everybody in the tracking room.
Click to expand...

Belinda Lee, one of the very fine folks at Karma asked me to post this response as she was having some trouble posting it here:

"The K-Micro has an unbalanced output
Pin 1 for ground
Pin 2 for mic signal output
Pin 3 is empty, doesn't need to connect.

The one tarnationsauce2 has is a defective one, he just needs to connect pin 2, it will work fine.
I believe there are very few like that. All circuit boards were double checked before assembly."

I've had a bunch of fine experiences with Karma. I have three of their mics and more coming (my K-Micros are on the way!), and I haven't had any problems with them myself, but have seen posters on other boards say that they work hard to resolve any problems. I know that they are a growing company and have been swamped with both domestic and European inquiries about their products (particularly the K-Micros), so from what I've seen of their other responses, it might be best to call them via the number on their website.
Again, full disclosure/disclaimer, I'm a paying customer, no affiliation, yadda yadda yadda :)
 
Frequency response

PhilGood said:
"the high end only goes to 13khz."
Click to expand...
That doesn't mean its response stops dead at that point! I'd rather have a smooth response to 13kHz and then a sloping off than a nasty resonant peak above that. (Sounds like a ribbon enthusiast talking? :) ) Same goes for speakers!
 
tarnationsauce2 said:
One thing I did notice is that pin 3 is not even connected.... Yep these mics are unbalanced!
I would not use them on long cable runs, or probably anything at all.
Click to expand...

...we've been using the K-micros with 25ft. cables on live gigs with no problems...very sensitive response considering the size of the capsules...
 
i was thinking +/- value i guess.


yeah..i made a mistake. thanks for the -rep
 
I believe that Belinda Lee brought them back from the plant (in China) already matched, but you should contact Waylon Ford at Karma if you want to know for 100% sure.
 
kojdogg said:
I believe that Belinda Lee brought them back from the plant (in China) already matched, but you should contact Waylon Ford at Karma if you want to know for 100% sure.
Click to expand...

...yes...I ordered a pair directly from the Karma's main office and Belinda did just bring them back from China as you stated, matched in the manufacturing facility...I am looking forward to putting them thru the paces... :D
 
I ordered some on the 23rd, yet I have not gotten them or even an email...



-jeffrey
 
Dot said:
Thought you guys might be interested in these little gems that are just hitting the market.

http://studioforums.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/694106689/m/5221074991
Click to expand...
I was interested. I thought why not spend $20 get 20 and hand them out to friends as a fun little gift. Now they are $5 a mic. 5x20=$100 plus s+h. Prob around $120 to my door. I lost intrest quick. :rolleyes:

one month after the original post i can get 2 of the 99cent mics for $25 on ebay :rolleyes:

kidvybes you have 8 post on this thread
kidvybes said:
...I got 2 of Karma's first production run ($.99 each) and I''ve been using them as supplemental overheads on live gigs with great results (to fill out the sound field)...my sound engineer is ordering more from the second production run...c'mon...$5 each...you can't lose...try 'em, you'll like 'em
Click to expand...
It kind of sounds like you are pimping them. Do you work for Karma?(do not take that as a slam i am just wondering) :D
vybes........Karma....... they kind of go on the same page of words.....................
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=190517
...kind of stiring up some business for them......lol just kidding :D
I am an sE kind of guy myself. ;)
 
Last edited:
I have certainly been advocating for Karma (i.e. "pimping them") too on this post too (and no I don't work for them). I can't speak for Kidvybes, but for me it's been really cool to find a company that is making good sounding gear that I can actually afford (other than the occasional, painful preamp splurge) where you can actually call them up or email them, ask the product developer or owners questions about their products and get informed answers. A lot of people justifiably pimp FMR for the same reason.
Pimpin ain't easy man.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top