Balanced or Un balanced at DVinfo.net

Ben Gurvich · February 1st, 2004, 09:16 PM

Hi,

I was contemplating buying an MKE for my mini DV camera. Then I started thinking is it better to get a mike with canon jack and get one of those box convertors.

Also is it easy to make one of those boxes as they are not cheap,
what exactly do they do anyway.

Cheers
Ben Gurvich

Marty Wein · February 1st, 2004, 09:43 PM

Please click on the link below, where you will probebly find the answer to your question somwhere in the previous posts, since this question has come up before.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.ph...der=descending

Bryan Beasleigh · February 1st, 2004, 10:47 PM

The best bet is to go with a balance mic, decent shock mount and just an XLR to mini stereo adsapter for now. You don't mention what camera you have and that will have a bearing on the final suggestions.

Basically a balaced audio circuit is one free of (protectected from) interference. The longer the run and the lower the mic output, the more chance for interference.

All mini DV cams with a 1/8" stereo input are unbalanced.To use a mic with XLR connectors you have choices.

Run the mic through a $9.50 female XLR to 1/8" stereo adapter. The length of the run is so short that the potential for any inetference is very small.

Buy a beachtek or other passive adapter. This allows you to be balanced from the mic to the adapter only. The final connection to the camera is unbalanced. This gizmo also allows you to attenuate (cut down) then incoming signal, NOT preamplify it.

Buy a mixer or mic preamp. This gives you more control over the whole situation. You can preamplify, attenuate or even limit the output peaks, preventinmg distortion. Most also have phantom power

It does not give you a balanced connection from the mixer to the camera, you would still need item 1, the $9.50 adapter.

My suggestion is buy a Hosatech 12" female XLR to 1/8" stereo male and try some electret condenser mics that have battery power. These mics do get pricey but you get what you pay for. The absolute minimum in my opinion is the AT835. It's a battery operated , professional quality electret condenser microphone.

Now you need a shock mount. Even if you buy a cheap mic you will suffer from handling noise unless you use a shock mount.

I've posted these links so many times , you'd think i'd wise up and save the text somewhere , but i didn't.

If that's not for you then buy a camera mounted elecytret with a built in 1/8" stereo plug. The MKE is a high end version of that and even though it does have a shoe mount , it still suffers from handling noise. the MKE300 is 75% of the AT 835 shotgun
(the lowest price decent mic)

Remember, you do get what you pay for and if there was an easier way, we'd all have taken it.

I'll post the links when I find them

Bryan Beasleigh · February 1st, 2004, 10:53 PM

For the cheap adapter

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=158476&is=REG

The cheapest shock mount that will work
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=108256&is=REG

There are inexpensive impedance matching transformers, but i wouldn't bother. Spend the money of Jay Roses book, it'll tell you everything that you need to know.

http://www.dplay.com/book/index.html

So far as mics go, read some back posts.

February 1st, 2004, 09:16 PM	#1
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	Balanced or Un balanced Hi, I was contemplating buying an MKE for my mini DV camera. Then I started thinking is it better to get a mike with canon jack and get one of those box convertors. Also is it easy to make one of those boxes as they are not cheap, what exactly do they do anyway. Cheers Ben Gurvich

February 1st, 2004, 10:53 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The links For the cheap adapter http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=158476&is=REG The cheapest shock mount that will work http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=108256&is=REG There are inexpensive impedance matching transformers, but i wouldn't bother. Spend the money of Jay Roses book, it'll tell you everything that you need to know. http://www.dplay.com/book/index.html So far as mics go, read some back posts.

February 1st, 2004, 09:43 PM	#2
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	Please click on the link below, where you will probebly find the answer to your question somwhere in the previous posts, since this question has come up before. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.ph...der=descending

February 1st, 2004, 10:47 PM	#3
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The best bet is to go with a balance mic, decent shock mount and just an XLR to mini stereo adsapter for now. You don't mention what camera you have and that will have a bearing on the final suggestions. Basically a balaced audio circuit is one free of (protectected from) interference. The longer the run and the lower the mic output, the more chance for interference. All mini DV cams with a 1/8" stereo input are unbalanced.To use a mic with XLR connectors you have choices. Run the mic through a $9.50 female XLR to 1/8" stereo adapter. The length of the run is so short that the potential for any inetference is very small. Buy a beachtek or other passive adapter. This allows you to be balanced from the mic to the adapter only. The final connection to the camera is unbalanced. This gizmo also allows you to attenuate (cut down) then incoming signal, NOT preamplify it. Buy a mixer or mic preamp. This gives you more control over the whole situation. You can preamplify, attenuate or even limit the output peaks, preventinmg distortion. Most also have phantom power It does not give you a balanced connection from the mixer to the camera, you would still need item 1, the $9.50 adapter. My suggestion is buy a Hosatech 12" female XLR to 1/8" stereo male and try some electret condenser mics that have battery power. These mics do get pricey but you get what you pay for. The absolute minimum in my opinion is the AT835. It's a battery operated , professional quality electret condenser microphone. Now you need a shock mount. Even if you buy a cheap mic you will suffer from handling noise unless you use a shock mount. I've posted these links so many times , you'd think i'd wise up and save the text somewhere , but i didn't. If that's not for you then buy a camera mounted elecytret with a built in 1/8" stereo plug. The MKE is a high end version of that and even though it does have a shoe mount , it still suffers from handling noise. the MKE300 is 75% of the AT 835 shotgun (the lowest price decent mic) Remember, you do get what you pay for and if there was an easier way, we'd all have taken it. I'll post the links when I find them