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Re: [Nature Recordists] Mic attenuation on purpose (was Min mV/Pa =

Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Mic attenuation on purpose (was Min mV/Pa =
From: "Rob Danielson" <>
4
MD..
> I'm looking into the
> nature of small circuit built into the unbalanced, 3.5mm cable that
> Rode provides with the NT-4. I've by-passed the circuit in my NT-4
> cable and mic output jumped up 12dB-- the same dB drop in output (and
> increase in noise)  that I was trying to account for in the tests a
> few months back. I was wondering what the circuit is and why it would
> be there if not to protect the mic pre circuit. Maybe its a music
> recording assumption?  If so, its not very compatible with recording
> in quiet places or even moderately noisy situations.

As drawn, the circuit would supply only 6 dB of attenuation, but it's safe
to assume that most consumer devices load down the attenuator further and
account for the 12 dB that you observed.  But of course that will vary from
recorder to recorder.

I think that your analysis that it is a "music recording assumption" is spo=
t
on.  Most portable devices, which are the ones that would use the 3.5 mm
mini phone input, can only take a few hundred mV at most, even with the gai=
n
turned all the way down.  Folks who record in loud venues would find the
microphone putting out more than that.

Are you interested in trying to sus out the entire NT-4 circuit?  I'll help=
.
I just can't see it!

Eric



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