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]
> >
>
>
>
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