naturerecordists
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Nady DMP-2 phantom mic preamp

Subject: Re: Nady DMP-2 phantom mic preamp
From: "Philip Tyler" macmang4125
Date: Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:21 pm ((PST))
Hi Paul

The spec for the MXL V63M is a self noise of 20dB,
while that of the K6/ME66, assuming phantom power, is
around 10dB. Which I would concur having just got a
pair of AT3032's, as to me the self noise of these two
mics seem very similar to my ears. [Although if you
battery power the K6 unit it is much noisier probably
around the >16dB mark I would guess.]
I presume the channel with no mic was open circuit? If
so it will pick up a lot of noise, you really need to
terminate the channel with a 150 ohm resistor, I think
is the preferred value. This should give you a much
better indication than just an open mic circuit with
lots of gain.

Having used K6/ME66's I have found them very quiet, as
long as they were phantom powered that is. All in all
I though the ME66 was a quiet microphone and capable
of giving you good results. I use them with a Sound
Devices MixPre and I am really not aware of the mic's
self noise except in the very quietest of locations.
So if you are hearing a lot of noise on the ME66 then
I would investigate further. I had to send mine back
to Sennheiser because one was noisier than the other
which they fixed by replacing the circuit board in one
of the K6 modules.

When I am out recording now using either AT3032's or
K6/ME66's I would say on the whole I am not worried by
self noise.

Phil

F.Y.I.
I found that when battery powering the K6/ME66 that
not only did the self noise get much louder, but it
took on a much 'coarser' quality.



--- texdig <> wrote:

> Hello Rob/Phil/others,
>
> Have a Sennheiser ME-66, a 1" diaphragm MXL V63M
> Condensor (for
> ambience and voice over), some cheap lavs (to be
> upgraded)
>
> I connected the ME-66 to one leg of a Y-adaptor in
> recorder's mic-
> in...placed mic under pillows. At highest record
> level, meter showed
> 20dB on mic'd channel... -35dB on the open channel
> (recorder's self
> noise).
>
> Headphone monitoring: mic'd channel 'sounded' 2x
> louder and of
> a 'rougher' nature ...like rain on a window versus
> the Sony's
> smooth 'rain on a solid roof'.
>
> So I need to be willing to shell out for very quiet
> mics before
> expecting magic from super-quiet external pre-amps
> ???
>
> ...darn! I just had my eye on a snazzy Sign Video
> ENG-44
> mixer! ...unnecessary candy???
>
> You're quickly getting my thinking straightened out,
> thank you!
>
> (will restructure my needs and look for suggestions
> of quiet mic
> capsules...for parabolic)
>
> - paul
>
>
> --- In  Philip
> Tyler
> <> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Paul
> >
> > What microphones are you using? It would help to
> know.
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Paul Slabaugh <>
> > To: 
> > Sent: Saturday, 16 February, 2008 3:25:08 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Nady DMP-2
> phantom mic preamp
> >
> > Thank you Rob, that's good info about gain
> requirements. I do not
> trust the specs ...they're just too good and 50db
> gain is probably
> > into it's distortion levels... nice specs are
> likely measured at
> lower gain settings. Incomplete info on this item is
> the deal killer.
> Manufacturer doesn't even list the product on their
> site anymore. Too
> fishy.
> >
> > You ask, do I need pre-amps. Yes, I want line
> level to avoid the
> mic pre's in my Sony PCM D50 ...though their circuit
> noise has a
> smooth far off ocean quality, it is very much there
> at high recording
> settings. Clean line levels would bump up that S/N
> ratio. That is why
> I am returning a $300 (overpriced! ) BeachTek dual
> phantom xlr box
> because it is passive ...no amplification. I just
> want clean
> amplification ...seems that paying extra mostly gets
> you extra non
> essential fluff on these devices. Until you pay
> enough for marketing
> fluff AND good circuit (Shure's or Sound Designs)
> the important specs
> just aren't that great. I'd be happy with a clean
> circuit in a rusty
> can ...hobbyists build such circuits fairly cheap.
> This new recorder
> I have takes care of the extras like limiting
> tremendously well as it
> simultaneously records lower level tracks and
> instantly uses them if
> things get loud.
> >
> > I just want a hole in...clean amp... hole out !
> ...will keep
> looking.
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Rob Danielson <>
> > To: naturerecordists@ yahoogroups. com
> > Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 7:58:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Nady DMP-2
> phantom mic preamp
> >
> > At 2:47 PM -0800 2/15/08, Paul Slabaugh wrote:
> > >After blowing alot on good recorders and mics, I
> am reduced to
> > >finding cheap mic preamps ... after MUCH
> research, here is the
> most
> > >capable, yet cheap, dual preamp, phantom powered,
> limited...yada
> > >yada ...at 1/12 the price of the tremendously
> fine Sound Design
> > >models
> > ><http://www.audio- discounters. com/dmp-2.
> html>http://www.audio-
> discounters. com/dmp-2. html
> > >
> > >Just how BAD can this Nady item be ? ... opinions
> anyone?
> > >
> > >-paul
> >
> > Neat find Paul. As you are probably aware, there
> are very few
> > battery-powered mics pres with phantom at this
> price point. 50 dB
> > gain is on the low side for nature recording--
> 60dB is closer to
> the
> > desired minimum in my experience. Based on the
> spec sheet I found,
> > there are no noise specs supplied and no phantom
> voltage specified.
> > Your mics may or may not require higher voltage,
> even 48 volts.
> None
> > of this means you shouldn't give it test. If you
> order it from
> > Sweetwater, they'll usually let you return if it
> it doesn't meet
> your
> > needs. Are you sure you need a preamp and not just
> a portable
> > phantom power supply? These are available at high
> (no risk) quality
> > for $50. Rob D.
> >
> > Nady DMP-2 spec sheet:
> > http://img3. musiciansfriend. com/dbase/
> pdf/man/m_ 180156.pdf
> > --
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> > Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox
> http://uk.mail.yahoo.com
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
> >
>
>
>



      ___________________________________________________________
Support the World Aids Awareness campaign this month with Yahoo! For Good h=
ttp://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/





<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the naturerecordists mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU