Using the Sennheiser MK4 mic

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pratty8652

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Hello everyone,

I am new to home recording and I am buying the sennheiser MK4 for my girlfriend as she has an amazong voice so she can record at home.
I have adobe tools on my PC and I understand I need a preamp for the Mic to record straight onto my PC.

I am having difficulty understanding what pre amps work with what mics.
Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.
 
You need three things to get a signal from a condenser microphone into your computer.... phantom power to power the microphone, a preamp to boost its signal to a usable level and an analogue to digital (AD) conversion to convert it from analogue signal to a digital one.

An audio interface will usually do all three for you. You don't need a preamp, you need an audio interface with a preamp, phantom power and AD/DA conversion.

Then you'll also need some means of monitoring what's going on - usually reference monitors (ie. speakers).

Read the stickies at the top of the forum and all will be revealed.
 
I'm using a MK4 with a Sound Devices USBPre 2 which... as Armistice pointed out... bundles a preamp with phantom power, and a A/D/A converter. The USBPre 2 is an awesome little box but may be a little too pricey for you.

For what it's worth the MK4 is an awesome mic but you'll need a super quiet recording space to use it. It'll pick up ambient noise that you never knew was there.
 
Thank you for your replies.
By the looks of Sennheisers website the MK4 has phantom power built in, either that or its advising me what power source I need.
I am looking at this amp Art Dual Pre USB, (unfortunately I cannot add a link) or something similar.
Am I right in thinking I can wire the mic to this and then usb it to my PC to record onto adobe audition?

Thanks again for your help
 
I think you'll find it requires 48V phantom power, it doesn't supply it to itself. The device you suggest will work but do a whole lot more reading before you buy anything.
 
pratty8652,

What they meant was that the MK4 required Phantom Power, and audio interfaces like the steinberg cl1 and more are able to:
1.Give you phantom power for your microphone
2.Boost your audio with gain
3.Hook it up the computer with no problems.
I hope this helps you!

Cheers,
Darren.
 
Guitaristic gets great results with his MK4 set up. He should be along to help out a bit as well. ;)
 
pratty8652 said:
Thank you for your replies.
By the looks of Sennheisers website the MK4 has phantom power built in, either that or its advising me what power source I need.
Click to expand...

Trust me... the MK4 does NOT have a battery and thus DOES NOT have phantom power built in.

pratty8652 said:
I am looking at this amp Art Dual Pre USB, (unfortunately I cannot add a link) or something similar.
Am I right in thinking I can wire the mic to this and then usb it to my PC to record onto adobe audition?

Thanks again for your help
Click to expand...

Short answer, yes.

Long answer, yes. I was surprised at the number of positive reviews for this box. Generally when you get down to this price point I don't have a lot of faith in the gear. Note that B&H knocks $5 off the $100 cost of the Auralex MudGuard Shield w/Tripod Mic Stand Isolation Kit if you buy it at the same time you buy the MK4. It's not much but every little bit helps. Don't forget the pop filter.
 
You might also give some consideration to a USB mic like the Shure PG42USB Cardioid Condenser. This cuts the need for a seperate pre/soundcard out of the equation, freeing up money that you can then use for other essential gear.
 
I would *not* get a USB mic. and the MK 4 is definitely the best choice at the price.

You need a mic. pre-amp that will supply 48V phantom power and uotput to USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt.

The CEntrance MicPort Pro will do this nicely - and also has a decent headphone amplifier for monitoring.

Otherwise, look at the new Focusrite FORTE or a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or one of the other units in the Scarlett range.

The RME BabyFace is also very nice.

I hope this helps.

John
 
I'm going to second the recommendation for a pop filter. Also, make sure you keep the mic stored or keep a cover over it when it's not being used. Welcome!
 
Thank you for all your help guys.
I'm sure my girlfriend will have a very musical christmas
 
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