Jeremy Minns wrote:
> When I recorded with a DAT, which was useless for playback, I carried a
> TCM5000 cassette recorder as well and had a neat split cable from the
> Sennheiser ME62 microphone to two XLRs for the DAT and a mini-plug for the
> cassette recorder. I could record on both recorders simultaneously. Now I
> am using an MKH20 mic running on phantom power connected to a Portadisc. As
> the Portadisc gets through so many batteries when used for playback I am
> thinking of getting a consumer MD for this pupose. I had hoped to use the
> same split cable from the MKH20 to the Portadisc and the consumer MD but
> to-day I tried this, using a cassette recorder instead of the consumer MD,
> and failed to record on either.
>
> Is there any way to make this setup work or is it doomed because of the
> MKH20's requirement of phantom power? It's bad enough going back to
> carrying two recorders in the field without carrying two microphones as
> well. Or leaving my expensive new MKH20 at home.
Without putting a meter to the cable I can only guess. My guess is that
the cable ties signal - to the shield. This would act a a dead short of
one leg of the phantom power, so would kill it working. The test would
be to check if pins 1 & 3 of the XLR connectors are tied together
electrically using a ohm meter.
The two ways I can think of making it work is to simply not connect the
shield of the mic or portadisc to the shield of your unbalanced
recorder. Just connect signal - to that connection.
The other way is to isolate the DC phantom power with capacitors so it
won't get shorted.
> I feel quite embarrassed at the number of questions I put to this group!
> But so far I've always found you very helpful and responsive.
Everyone learns sometime. It's a good part of what this group is about,
helping each other.
Walt
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