Shure X391 boundary mic with AKG mixer at DVinfo.net

Mark Joseph · October 13th, 2009, 12:33 AM

I note from the docs this mic comes standard with a 4-pin connector, not too dissimilar to mini-XLR. However the one handed to me has 3pin mini-XLR so I tried it with an AKG B29L mixer/power supply but get nothing. The B29L provides 9v phantom power, the X391 power requirements are listed as: "11 to 52 Vdc phantom".

Should it work? In the box was what I assume to be a Shure pre-amp, black cylindrical with the above mentioned 4pin mini plug to XLR- 3pin full size. Can't use that to connect to my camera because of this wierd 4-pin connector.

Jay Massengill · October 13th, 2009, 09:46 AM

Where did you obtain this equipment? Could some of the items have been mixed up? The MX391 is supposed to have a 4-pin miniature connector, but the very similar MX393 is listed as having a 3-pin miniature connector and its preamp is built-in, therefore it uses a regular miniature 3-pin to regular 3-pin XLR cable.
Was the AKG mixer/preamp part of this kit of gear or did you just substitute it in because it had a connector that fit?
Give us more details, as well as the camera you're connecting to.

Mark Joseph · October 13th, 2009, 07:01 PM

It was a "here you might be able to use this in the video prod unit" handover from another area - presumably AKG added by someone else in our organisation. The pre-amp I think is part of the X391/O kit. Using Sony HVR-Z5P camera.

The Shure docs mention attaching a different connector which seems to have been done so as to plug into the B29L. Seems I need a min-XLR to XLR to use the boundary mic on the camera and just ditch the B29L.

Jordan Block · October 13th, 2009, 07:21 PM

Well, if your mic requires 11V and you can only supply 9V, there's no reason to expect it to work.

Mark Joseph · October 14th, 2009, 04:58 PM

I guess I'd had expectations because presumably someone along the line had put this together thinking it would work - I'm not au fait with all these voltages 9, 12 40, 48v I didn't know there were so many current/voltages variances mic work at.

I think the AKG mixer is neat little unit - I'm looking to get a couple of self-powered boundary mics that will work with it b/c I don't see the 9v battery lasting long driving two mics.

October 13th, 2009, 12:33 AM	#1
Mark Joseph Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ACT Australia Posts: 148	Shure X391 boundary mic with AKG mixer I note from the docs this mic comes standard with a 4-pin connector, not too dissimilar to mini-XLR. However the one handed to me has 3pin mini-XLR so I tried it with an AKG B29L mixer/power supply but get nothing. The B29L provides 9v phantom power, the X391 power requirements are listed as: "11 to 52 Vdc phantom". Should it work? In the box was what I assume to be a Shure pre-amp, black cylindrical with the above mentioned 4pin mini plug to XLR- 3pin full size. Can't use that to connect to my camera because of this wierd 4-pin connector.

October 13th, 2009, 09:46 AM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Where did you obtain this equipment? Could some of the items have been mixed up? The MX391 is supposed to have a 4-pin miniature connector, but the very similar MX393 is listed as having a 3-pin miniature connector and its preamp is built-in, therefore it uses a regular miniature 3-pin to regular 3-pin XLR cable. Was the AKG mixer/preamp part of this kit of gear or did you just substitute it in because it had a connector that fit? Give us more details, as well as the camera you're connecting to.

October 13th, 2009, 07:01 PM	#3
Mark Joseph Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ACT Australia Posts: 148	It was a "here you might be able to use this in the video prod unit" handover from another area - presumably AKG added by someone else in our organisation. The pre-amp I think is part of the X391/O kit. Using Sony HVR-Z5P camera. The Shure docs mention attaching a different connector which seems to have been done so as to plug into the B29L. Seems I need a min-XLR to XLR to use the boundary mic on the camera and just ditch the B29L.

October 13th, 2009, 07:21 PM	#4
Jordan Block Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 67	Well, if your mic requires 11V and you can only supply 9V, there's no reason to expect it to work.

October 14th, 2009, 04:58 PM	#5
Mark Joseph Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ACT Australia Posts: 148	I guess I'd had expectations because presumably someone along the line had put this together thinking it would work - I'm not au fait with all these voltages 9, 12 40, 48v I didn't know there were so many current/voltages variances mic work at. I think the AKG mixer is neat little unit - I'm looking to get a couple of self-powered boundary mics that will work with it b/c I don't see the 9v battery lasting long driving two mics.