Sony ECM 55 Lavalier Mic at DVinfo.net

Cris Linscott · July 2nd, 2004, 09:47 AM

Hi - I recently got hold of one of these mics not boxed, no instructions & no connector.

I'm familiar with audio recording and use a range of studio quality mics with & without phantom power (its Dv that I'm new too - thanks to this forum I've taken my first steps.. nothing fancy as yet).

Back to the question. I know that the Sony needs power and I've seen reference to a battery pack for it but can I simply wire an XLR to it and run it from the desk or my Di box (which has 48v Phantom Power) or will this fry it?

Here's hoping its that simple

Jacques Mersereau · July 2nd, 2004, 12:19 PM

The Sony ECM-55b we have has a amplifier body which takes a single AA battery.

If yours does not have this, I would then assume it will be okay to send
it 48v phantom.

Cris Linscott · July 2nd, 2004, 02:01 PM

Thanks Jacques - I'll be getting on with the soldering then.......

Jay Massengill · July 2nd, 2004, 02:40 PM

The regular power supply for this mic contains other electronics, I wouldn't connect it directly to 48v power. I'd consult with someone from Lectrosonics. They could tell you how to properly wire the mic capsule directly to a low-powered supply like a transmitter input. They could also point you in the right direction for info on a full-powered adapter.

Jacques Mersereau · July 3rd, 2004, 09:52 AM

Yeah, I guess I whiffed here. What I should have said, if your ECM55b
does NOT have the amplifier body THAT TAKES A BATTERY, but DOES
still HAVE an amplifier body non the less, THEN its okay to hook up phantom.

I didn't realize that your mic went to a bare (cut) wire.

Have I got this picture right? Does your mic have any kind of connector?

Cris Linscott · July 3rd, 2004, 10:56 AM

Jacques/Jay - I should have been more specific - I've done some more research following Jay's posting - The model is, in fact, a 55BPT - its unused and has approx 3 metres of cable leading from the capsule terminating in three tinned cut wires (one of which is sheathed red, the other thicker braided and the final a fine wire) - appreciate your help with this - normally I'd contact the manufacturers support section but Sony Professional products here in UK seemed to be hidden from all... finally tracked down to www.sonybiz.net but silence from that quarter - What do you think?

Ken Tanaka · July 3rd, 2004, 11:36 AM

Cris,
Sorry to get to this a tad late. I have two Sony ECM-55B's. I am sure I can scan the brochure and email it to you if you believe it would be helpful. Just let me know.

Cris Linscott · July 3rd, 2004, 12:54 PM

Ken - thank you - that'd be real helpful - my first time with lavalier mics so everything helps!

Jacques Mersereau · July 3rd, 2004, 04:57 PM

The two ECM-55b that we have both have amp bodies that take a single
AA battery.

Ken?

Ken Tanaka · July 4th, 2004, 03:40 PM

Yes, the 55B's have an inline module that takes one AA battery as a power source. However, I am not sure of its other functions. I've never tried to use the mics without this module.

Will dig-up the brochure asap. (Holiday doin's here right now.)

Ken Tanaka · July 5th, 2004, 11:04 PM

Just had a rather busy holiday weekend. Will dig up the brochure Tuesday.

Cris Linscott · July 6th, 2004, 02:31 AM

Ken - thanks, in your own time, hope it was a good holiday weekend - have had a reply from Sony.... ".. please contact your dealer for this information". Boy, wished I'd thought of that!

Ken Tanaka · July 6th, 2004, 09:43 AM

Check your email, Cris. I sent it to you this morning.

Cris Linscott · July 7th, 2004, 03:38 AM

Ken - thanks very much for the brochure - I've been able to use it with a UK company who confirm that 55BPT relates to "pigtail" ie bare wiring, and that a Sony DC78 power supply is required (as others on the forum have noted). A Hirose type connector is used on the bare wires to connect to the power supply the output to the desk is then on an XLR. The 55BPT option is for those who already have such a supply. Thanks for the help and observations

July 2nd, 2004, 09:47 AM	#1
Cris Linscott New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 8	Sony ECM 55 Lavalier Mic Hi - I recently got hold of one of these mics not boxed, no instructions & no connector. I'm familiar with audio recording and use a range of studio quality mics with & without phantom power (its Dv that I'm new too - thanks to this forum I've taken my first steps.. nothing fancy as yet). Back to the question. I know that the Sony needs power and I've seen reference to a battery pack for it but can I simply wire an XLR to it and run it from the desk or my Di box (which has 48v Phantom Power) or will this fry it? Here's hoping its that simple

July 2nd, 2004, 12:19 PM	#2
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	The Sony ECM-55b we have has a amplifier body which takes a single AA battery. If yours does not have this, I would then assume it will be okay to send it 48v phantom. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 3rd, 2004, 09:52 AM	#5
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Yeah, I guess I whiffed here. What I should have said, if your ECM55b does NOT have the amplifier body THAT TAKES A BATTERY, but DOES still HAVE an amplifier body non the less, THEN its okay to hook up phantom. I didn't realize that your mic went to a bare (cut) wire. Have I got this picture right? Does your mic have any kind of connector? __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 3rd, 2004, 11:36 AM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Cris, Sorry to get to this a tad late. I have two Sony ECM-55B's. I am sure I can scan the brochure and email it to you if you believe it would be helpful. Just let me know. __________________ 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

July 3rd, 2004, 04:57 PM	#9
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	The two ECM-55b that we have both have amp bodies that take a single AA battery. Ken? __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 2nd, 2004, 02:01 PM	#3
Cris Linscott New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 8	Thanks Jacques - I'll be getting on with the soldering then.......

July 2nd, 2004, 02:40 PM	#4
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	The regular power supply for this mic contains other electronics, I wouldn't connect it directly to 48v power. I'd consult with someone from Lectrosonics. They could tell you how to properly wire the mic capsule directly to a low-powered supply like a transmitter input. They could also point you in the right direction for info on a full-powered adapter.

July 3rd, 2004, 10:56 AM	#6
Cris Linscott New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 8	Jacques/Jay - I should have been more specific - I've done some more research following Jay's posting - The model is, in fact, a 55BPT - its unused and has approx 3 metres of cable leading from the capsule terminating in three tinned cut wires (one of which is sheathed red, the other thicker braided and the final a fine wire) - appreciate your help with this - normally I'd contact the manufacturers support section but Sony Professional products here in UK seemed to be hidden from all... finally tracked down to www.sonybiz.net but silence from that quarter - What do you think?

July 3rd, 2004, 12:54 PM	#8
Cris Linscott New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 8	Ken - thank you - that'd be real helpful - my first time with lavalier mics so everything helps!

July 4th, 2004, 03:40 PM	#10
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yes, the 55B's have an inline module that takes one AA battery as a power source. However, I am not sure of its other functions. I've never tried to use the mics without this module. Will dig-up the brochure asap. (Holiday doin's here right now.) __________________ 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

July 5th, 2004, 11:04 PM	#11
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I haven't forgotten you, Cris. Just had a rather busy holiday weekend. Will dig up the brochure Tuesday. __________________ 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

July 6th, 2004, 02:31 AM	#12
Cris Linscott New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 8	Ken - thanks, in your own time, hope it was a good holiday weekend - have had a reply from Sony.... ".. please contact your dealer for this information". Boy, wished I'd thought of that!

July 6th, 2004, 09:43 AM	#13
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Check your email, Cris. I sent it to you this morning. __________________ 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

July 7th, 2004, 03:38 AM	#14
Cris Linscott New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 8	Ken - thanks very much for the brochure - I've been able to use it with a UK company who confirm that 55BPT relates to "pigtail" ie bare wiring, and that a Sony DC78 power supply is required (as others on the forum have noted). A Hirose type connector is used on the bare wires to connect to the power supply the output to the desk is then on an XLR. The 55BPT option is for those who already have such a supply. Thanks for the help and observations