Again: The TRS input phantom power is unreliable. It does not work well
with the PRO6 handle, but it is impossible to understand why. We spent two
days in the lab to investigate under which conditions it did not create
noise, and under which conditions it did. We couldn't find any logic in it,
even if we could provoke it to work better or worse. Finally we concluded
that whatever we find out about it, the different units will be different
in this matter and also be different depending on outside temperature and
battery condition. Then we gave up.
It was a pity, because I like it, just like Erik.
Klas.
At 07:45 2006-01-24, you wrote:
> >"Martyn Stewart" wrote:
> > Has anyone actually used one of these in the field? I would be interested
> > to
> > find out other peoples opinions before I take the bloody thing back!!!
>
>Martyn,
>I have one and I've used it for quite a lot of field recordings. It does
>have flaws, it's true, but the small size, portability, and ease of transfer
>of files really work for me. I have used both the PIP with the mini-phone
>plug input and the phantom power on the TRS inputs. Mostly I use it with a
>pair of home-brew microphones which use the PIP supply. I have the recorder
>in one pocket and the microphones in another. It gives me unprecedented
>freedom of movement. Most of all, it increases the likelihood that I will
>actually have the recorder when I need it!
>
>I have experienced no problems with the low phantom voltage - and I wouldn't
>expect to. Most of the microphones that I used are rated to work from
>phantom supplies between 12 Volts and 48 Volts. I'm sure that there are
>some that don't work properly with 30 Volts phantom power; I just haven't
>encountered them. In any case I would be incredibly surprised (and
>disappointed!) if a microphone were to be damaged by low phantom power
>voltage. After all, every microphone is exposed to the intermediate
>voltages as the phantom power is switched on and ramps up.
>
>I have no doubt that the decision to use 30 Volts phantom power was a
>considered one on the part of M-Audio. Phantom powering is an inefficient
>way of getting power to the microphone. Consider the case of the Schoeps MK
>series microphones that I like. The internal supply is 6 Volts and 4.5 mA,
>which is achieved by drawing 4.5 mA from two 48 Volt supplies. Basically,
>that means that the whole setup consumes 8 times as much power as it has to.
>Dropping the phantom supply to 30 Volts results in the same performance, but
>only wastes half as much power. It's a compromise. I'm more concernted
>about the use of TRS connectors.
>
>I haven't done it, but it shouldn't be difficult to rig up an adapter to
>recharge the device through its USB port. If you would like for me to work
>up a schematic, contact me off-list.
>
>Eric Benjamin
>
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