Problem with ECM77 mic and Sony UWP radio mic kit at DVinfo.net

Steve McClean · May 1st, 2011, 02:00 PM

I just bought a Sony ECM77 mic with locking mini jack to use with my Sony UWP radio mic kit as the supplied standard mic isn't great quality. While the supplied mic works fine, when I plug the ECM77 into the UTX-B1 transmitter it doesn't work. Am I missing something obvious regarding phantom power or the settings on the transmitter unit etc? I assumed that it would just be plug and play so does that mean that the ECM77 is faulty? Unfortunately I dont have any other type of radio mic kit to test the ECM77 mic with so any help or advice that anyone could offer as to what the problem might be would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. Steve

Bill Davis · May 1st, 2011, 02:21 PM

Steve,

Since Sony itself sells the ECM 77 as an option for their UWP series transmitters, you can be sure that there's nothing fundamentally incompatible between them.

All electret condensers require phantom power - but their selling of that specific mic as an accessory tells you that the proper current IS available from the body pack to power the mic when things are wired correctly.

So now it's just a matter of traditional troubleshooting.

If you can't swap out the components (the second stage after simple visible inspection of the connections in trouble shooting) I'm afraid you're going to have to find someone with the capabilities to actually do a component by component search for where the signals start and stop - and that likely means a trip to a real technician.

But it's highly doubtful that there's any "secret" switch that makes a transmitter work with one mic, but not with another.

Sorry.

Steve Oakley · May 1st, 2011, 03:30 PM

Lavs take BIAS power, which is 1.5-5V not phantom which is 12-48V. since its new, I'd return it for another. it can be anything from a broken wire to a simply miswired connector which is most likely the problem. in the return, be very specific about the transmitter you need it to work with as there may be more then one generation of transmitters and they are wired differently on the mic to connector part. there can be 2, 3 or 4 leads in the mic wire...usually its 3.

I have a bunch of lavs with TA5's and went thru 2 tries before I got a working 3.5mm mini -> TA5 adapter for my G3 transmitters with the same connector. first try it was a case of mis wiring as there were 2 ways to wire it. if there is a 50-50 chance of something working, you have a 90% chance its wrong the first time around :(

Rick Reineke · May 2nd, 2011, 08:43 AM

I would concur with Steve and Bill, It's most likely not wired correctly. Always specify the make and model of the transmitter you will be using when ordering.

Steve McClean · May 2nd, 2011, 09:48 AM

Thanks guys, your input is much appreciated.
Steve

Warren Kawamoto · May 3rd, 2011, 01:43 PM

I ordered my units from B&H, and they work fine.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/161264-REG/Sony_ECM_77BMP_ECM_77BMP_Lavalier_Mic_with.html
I did read somewhere that internally, Sony mics are wired opposite of how Sennheizers are.

May 1st, 2011, 02:00 PM	#1
Steve McClean New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 13	Problem with ECM77 mic and Sony UWP radio mic kit I just bought a Sony ECM77 mic with locking mini jack to use with my Sony UWP radio mic kit as the supplied standard mic isn't great quality. While the supplied mic works fine, when I plug the ECM77 into the UTX-B1 transmitter it doesn't work. Am I missing something obvious regarding phantom power or the settings on the transmitter unit etc? I assumed that it would just be plug and play so does that mean that the ECM77 is faulty? Unfortunately I dont have any other type of radio mic kit to test the ECM77 mic with so any help or advice that anyone could offer as to what the problem might be would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. Steve

May 1st, 2011, 02:21 PM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: Problem with ECM77 mic and Sony UWP radio mic kit Steve, Since Sony itself sells the ECM 77 as an option for their UWP series transmitters, you can be sure that there's nothing fundamentally incompatible between them. All electret condensers require phantom power - but their selling of that specific mic as an accessory tells you that the proper current IS available from the body pack to power the mic when things are wired correctly. So now it's just a matter of traditional troubleshooting. If you can't swap out the components (the second stage after simple visible inspection of the connections in trouble shooting) I'm afraid you're going to have to find someone with the capabilities to actually do a component by component search for where the signals start and stop - and that likely means a trip to a real technician. But it's highly doubtful that there's any "secret" switch that makes a transmitter work with one mic, but not with another. Sorry. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

May 1st, 2011, 03:30 PM	#3
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	Re: Problem with ECM77 mic and Sony UWP radio mic kit Lavs take BIAS power, which is 1.5-5V not phantom which is 12-48V. since its new, I'd return it for another. it can be anything from a broken wire to a simply miswired connector which is most likely the problem. in the return, be very specific about the transmitter you need it to work with as there may be more then one generation of transmitters and they are wired differently on the mic to connector part. there can be 2, 3 or 4 leads in the mic wire...usually its 3. I have a bunch of lavs with TA5's and went thru 2 tries before I got a working 3.5mm mini -> TA5 adapter for my G3 transmitters with the same connector. first try it was a case of mis wiring as there were 2 ways to wire it. if there is a 50-50 chance of something working, you have a 90% chance its wrong the first time around :( __________________ Steve Oakley DP • Audio Mixer • Editor • Colorist http://stevenoakley.com

May 2nd, 2011, 08:43 AM	#4
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Problem with ECM77 mic and Sony UWP radio mic kit I would concur with Steve and Bill, It's most likely not wired correctly. Always specify the make and model of the transmitter you will be using when ordering.

May 2nd, 2011, 09:48 AM	#5
Steve McClean New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 13	Re: Problem with ECM77 mic and Sony UWP radio mic kit Thanks guys, your input is much appreciated. Steve

May 3rd, 2011, 01:43 PM	#6
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Problem with ECM77 mic and Sony UWP radio mic kit I ordered my units from B&H, and they work fine. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/161264-REG/Sony_ECM_77BMP_ECM_77BMP_Lavalier_Mic_with.html I did read somewhere that internally, Sony mics are wired opposite of how Sennheizers are.