Mic to Line, Balanced to Unbalanced box at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > All Things Audio

All Things Audio
Everything Audio, from acquisition to postproduction.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old February 16th, 2007, 07:54 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Croydon, England
Posts: 277
Mic to Line, Balanced to Unbalanced box

Hi,
I need to find a box to convert mic level to line level, Balanced XLR inputs to Unbalanced Phono/RCA outputs, all to run off battery power, anyone got any suggestions? (p.s. some control over mic levels may be handy too...)
Paul Jefferies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 16th, 2007, 08:27 PM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,742
There's a wide range of options for you, depends on just what you need it for. Behringer has a battery operated mixer under about $100. At a more professional level something like the Sound Devices MixPre is a good choice - 2 XLR mic level inputs with phantom and faders. XLR +4dBU line level outputs plus -10dBV stereo line output on a 3.5mm TRS jack (a stereo TRS plug to dual RCA Y-cable is just a couple of bucks at Radio Shack and a jillion other places). Headphone monitor. Internal battery or external 6-18VDC power.
__________________
Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!
Steve House is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 16th, 2007, 09:22 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Fresno, California
Posts: 528
Might just be worth while getting a Direct box - You can get some with level controls, but most "Active" boxes will provide a 20db pad switch. The behringer costs around $30 from Guitar Center.
Kit Hannah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 17th, 2007, 04:04 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 192
To change mic level to line level you need a preamp.

To convert "Balanced XLR inputs to Unbalanced Phono/RCA outputs" you need an adaptor. I have one by TecNec (model OTL-2S) that has XLR inputs and RCA outputs and is passive; it doesn't need a power source and works fine. A good source for this kind of device is Markertek.com. Have them send you one of their catalogs; it is full of this type of gizmo.

Best wishes,
Peter
______________________
http://www.parkfilms.com
Peter Rhalter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 17th, 2007, 06:44 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Croydon, England
Posts: 277
Thank you all for your suggestions
Paul Jefferies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 17th, 2007, 03:13 PM   #6
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Camas, WA, USA
Posts: 5,513
The passive ones have a transformer inside of them. They match impedances, but you need enough gain in the next stage for it to work. Also, they work best with microphones that have good sensitivity.

One tip: keep the wire short after you've converted to unbalanced. If it's long and finds its way near a power cord, you'll get hum.

Also note that the passive ones don't have phantom power. It's no problem with dynamic mics, or mics that take batteries, but if the mic needs phantom power, then you need a preamp.
__________________
Jon Fairhurst
Jon Fairhurst is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > All Things Audio

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:10 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network