Converting a radio lav mic to a wired lav mic? 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 May 28th, 2006, 08:24 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland
Posts: 55
Converting a radio lav mic to a wired lav mic?

Hi, I have a sennheiser 100 series radio mic unit with a lav mic. The lav mic connects to the transmitter unit with a jack and screw thread. Is there some type of converter that I can use to connect this mic to an XLR lead to make it wired? Thanks
Robb Bradstock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 04:06 AM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,742
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robb Bradstock
Hi, I have a sennheiser 100 series radio mic unit with a lav mic. The lav mic connects to the transmitter unit with a jack and screw thread. Is there some type of converter that I can use to connect this mic to an XLR lead to make it wired? Thanks
I'd suggest you contact Sennheiser technical support directly. That mic might have specific power requirements that a simple adapter wouldn't provide. Senn could tell you exactly what would be needed (and safe).
__________________
Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!
Steve House is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 05:21 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Scotland (UK)
Posts: 219
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robb Bradstock
Hi, I have a sennheiser 100 series radio mic unit with a lav mic. The lav mic connects to the transmitter unit with a jack and screw thread. Is there some type of converter that I can use to connect this mic to an XLR lead to make it wired? Thanks
Hi Robb - the convertor used to take you from the 3.5 mini jack to XLR is via the Sennheiser MZA 900 P and cost approx £80.00+ Vat in the UK - This unit reduces the 48v supplied by the camera/mixer down to I think 7.2v for those type of Sennheiser Lav mics.

Regards: Stu...
www.studioscotland.co.uk
Stewart Menelaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 06:42 AM   #4
Fred Retread
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,227
Condenser mics need a power supply. The G2 transmitter supplies 9V to the lav mic.
__________________
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge
"My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me
David Ennis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 07:28 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 263
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Retread
Condenser mics need a power supply. The G2 transmitter supplies 9V to the lav mic.
Hello,

I have an Azden 200ULT system and want to get better lav mics for it. They require 5-9VDC and it is supplied by the Transmitter. The Jack on the mic looks like a normal mini mono 3.5mm plug.

2 Questions:

1) How does the transmitter supply the power to the mic (center post?)?

2) How do I know what lav mics are compatible with my system?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

AM
__________________
AM
Anthony Marotti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 08:10 AM   #6
Trustee
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,483
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Retread
Condenser mics need a power supply. The G2 transmitter supplies 9V to the lav mic.
I have found that an MD will power the standard
G2 lav (ME2) but an iRiver will not, despite both
of them offering "plug-in power".
Dave Largent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 09:16 AM   #7
Fred Retread
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,227
My Sony MD and my Panasonic GS200 camcorder both put out 2.3V to the mic jack. And yes, my MD does power the ME2. It seems weird that the iRiver won't power the mic--I can't imagine a device being designed to put out much less than 2.3 volts. I wonder if it's a jack/plug mismatch.

The G2 uses a TRS jack and plug. The 9V is applied only between tip and sleeve. Meanwhile, my Sony MD applies the 2.3V both between the tip and sleeve and between the ring and sleeve.
__________________
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge
"My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me
David Ennis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 09:23 AM   #8
Fred Retread
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,227
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony Marotti
Hello,

I have an Azden 200ULT system and want to get better lav mics for it. They require 5-9VDC and it is supplied by the Transmitter. The Jack on the mic looks like a normal mini mono 3.5mm plug.

2 Questions:

1) How does the transmitter supply the power to the mic (center post?)?

2) How do I know what lav mics are compatible with my system?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

AM
Anthony, I have several short cables with connectors on both ends. One of them has TRS (three section) plugs and the other has TS (two section) plugs. With these I can use a multimeter to see what my devices supply for voltage. That, together with looking at the plugs on the mics that came with my various devices, or mics that I know work with a device tell me what other mics I can use.
__________________
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge
"My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me
David Ennis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 09:27 AM   #9
Trustee
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,483
I tried to measure the volts output of an iRiver
but was not successful, using a voletmeter.
(Can't say it wasn't due to operator error.)
I have heard that the iRiver *does* provide
plug-in power.
Anyone here who is handy with electronics who could
measure the plug-in power of an iRiver?
Dave Largent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 09:50 AM   #10
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 263
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Retread
Anthony, I have several short cables with connectors on both ends. One of them has TRS (three section) plugs and the other has TS (two section) plugs. With these I can use a multimeter to see what my devices supply for voltage. That, together with looking at the plugs on the mics that came with my various devices, or mics that I know work with a device tell me what other mics I can use.
Gotcha, thanks!

I can see finding out what current is coming out of the transmitter, but you would need information from the mic manufacturer to let you know the way their plug was wired. That doesn't seem readily available.

It would be nice if there were a compatibility chart somewhere :-)

Thanks Fred !!
__________________
AM
Anthony Marotti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 10:07 AM   #11
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,742
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony Marotti
Gotcha, thanks!

I can see finding out what current is coming out of the transmitter, but you would need information from the mic manufacturer to let you know the way their plug was wired. That doesn't seem readily available.

It would be nice if there were a compatibility chart somewhere :-)

Thanks Fred !!
There is ...

Countryman has a chart for their excellent series of lav mics on their web site that lists the plug options and the wireless transmitters they're compatible with.
__________________
Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!
Steve House is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 10:31 AM   #12
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 263
Excellent!
__________________
AM
Anthony Marotti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 11:45 AM   #13
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland
Posts: 55
Re lav to XLR

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stewart Menelaws
Hi Robb - the convertor used to take you from the 3.5 mini jack to XLR is via the Sennheiser MZA 900 P and cost approx £80.00+ Vat in the UK - This unit reduces the 48v supplied by the camera/mixer down to I think 7.2v for those type of Sennheiser Lav mics.

Regards: Stu...
www.studioscotland.co.uk
Thanks, Stewart I'm assuming that conversion will be as balanced as a totally wired lav, correct? Robb
Robb Bradstock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 12:20 PM   #14
Fred Retread
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,227
The MZA 900P output is definitely balanced, but do be aware that it has to be fed phantom power.
__________________
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge
"My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me
David Ennis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 29th, 2006, 12:52 PM   #15
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland
Posts: 55
Mza 900p

Thanks Fred, Do you know where's the best place to get the converter in the US? Regard Robb
Robb Bradstock 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 05:11 AM.


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