Portable Mic Pre-Amp at DVinfo.net

Rob Wilson · May 5th, 2003, 06:41 PM

A search on the board didn't come up with a solution so....

I'm using a ElectoVoice RE50/B mic for field ENG work. I need a recommendation for a inexpensive (right, like anything in this field is inexpensive) mic preamp to feed a portable microwave transmitter. It needs to be battery operated, XLR in and out and would be great if it had adjustable gain and a peak indicator. Any suggestions??

I've found the Shure FP 23 which would be perfect .... Except its $400. Thanks!

Ken Tanaka · May 5th, 2003, 07:05 PM

Rob,
The Sound Devices MM-1 is top-notch and would more than fill your bill. But it's $475.

Ken Tanaka · May 5th, 2003, 11:36 PM

Rob,
As a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Rolls PM50. Brian Dickman noted this in a thread a while back.

Peter Kulka · May 6th, 2003, 12:11 AM

I just designed one of them for my aplication.
If you are capable to build it, than I can sent you schematic.
Will run on 1.5 to 9 V battery and has adjustable gain from 0 to 10dB. Also is equiped with input and output transformer and selectable ground.
Cost to build this unit for one microphone will run about $30.

Rob Wilson · May 6th, 2003, 11:08 AM

Ken, acutally have the Rolls box, works great for a boom op with headphones but the XLR mic connections are just hard wired pass through, not amplified at all.

Peter, appreciate the input but building a board is beyond my abilities. If its a kit that just needs assembly, I'm up for that!

Thanks to both. I'll keep looking. Hard to believe there isn't a simple box for this.

Marco Leavitt · May 6th, 2003, 01:58 PM

It sounds like you're looking for one of those "battery boxes" that mini-disk owners frequently use to make bootleg recordings of concerts. Try doing a search at www.minidisc.org.

Pierre Petit · May 16th, 2003, 09:10 AM

Hey Peter, i'm interested in the schematics. I need a pre amp but now i dont have the funds to buy one.

Thanks

May 5th, 2003, 06:41 PM	#1
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Portable Mic Pre-Amp A search on the board didn't come up with a solution so.... I'm using a ElectoVoice RE50/B mic for field ENG work. I need a recommendation for a inexpensive (right, like anything in this field is inexpensive) mic preamp to feed a portable microwave transmitter. It needs to be battery operated, XLR in and out and would be great if it had adjustable gain and a peak indicator. Any suggestions?? I've found the Shure FP 23 which would be perfect .... Except its $400. Thanks!

May 5th, 2003, 07:05 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Rob, The Sound Devices MM-1 is top-notch and would more than fill your bill. But it's $475. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 5th, 2003, 11:36 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Rob, As a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Rolls PM50. Brian Dickman noted this in a thread a while back. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 6th, 2003, 12:11 AM	#4
Peter Kulka Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Newark, CA Posts: 34	I just designed one of them for my aplication. If you are capable to build it, than I can sent you schematic. Will run on 1.5 to 9 V battery and has adjustable gain from 0 to 10dB. Also is equiped with input and output transformer and selectable ground. Cost to build this unit for one microphone will run about $30.

May 6th, 2003, 11:08 AM	#5
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Ken, acutally have the Rolls box, works great for a boom op with headphones but the XLR mic connections are just hard wired pass through, not amplified at all. Peter, appreciate the input but building a board is beyond my abilities. If its a kit that just needs assembly, I'm up for that! Thanks to both. I'll keep looking. Hard to believe there isn't a simple box for this.

May 6th, 2003, 01:58 PM	#6
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	It sounds like you're looking for one of those "battery boxes" that mini-disk owners frequently use to make bootleg recordings of concerts. Try doing a search at www.minidisc.org.

May 16th, 2003, 09:10 AM	#7
Pierre Petit New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: canada Posts: 22	Hey Peter, i'm interested in the schematics. I need a pre amp but now i dont have the funds to buy one. Thanks