Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40

Krystian Ramlogan · July 17th, 2014, 08:05 PM

Hi everyone.

I've been trying to get my Sennheiser EW 100 G3 Wireless System to work with a Tascam DR-40 for over an hour and I can't get any levels on the DR-40.

I tested the DR-40 with a direct XLR/cable connection to an MD 46 and it works fine, good levels, on both L/R channels. The internal mics were fine too; did a record using 4 channel and only those mics recorded sound.

I also tested the MD 46 and the Wireless System (handheld plug, lav, receiver) connected directly to my camera (well 2 cameras, ex3 and a black magic pocket) and the sound comes through fine, good levels, etc.

Of course, I really want to run the mics through the DR-40 (also using the dual recording -6 db for safety) and then on to the camera but, I cannot for the life of me figure out why I can't even get levels to show up on the DR-40.

The units are old on the sennheiser system, so I know the firmware is ancient at 1.2.2 but, aside from that and I'm not even sure if that's a problem - I can't figure this out.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Many thanks!

Les Wilson · July 17th, 2014, 09:04 PM

I assume you are using the Sennheiser cl100 XLR cable correct? Is the External Input Type switch on the DR-40 set to MIC as per the user guide and input to External?

Are you using the 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation Sennheiser?

Krystian Ramlogan · July 17th, 2014, 09:20 PM

Hi Les.

I'm using the mini to xlr cable and yes, the DR-40 is set to the mic (middle) position. I believe my G3 system may be a first generation as I've had it since 2010 - though I'm not sure; maybe I should have posted the model #s or info from the back label. The transmitters are set to -18db and the receiver is set to - 12db. I feel like I'm missing something simple!

Also the DR-40 is set to ext 1-2 (though I have tried ext 1 and independent) with no success.

Krystian Ramlogan · July 17th, 2014, 11:13 PM

Solved it!

Apparently the level was too low at -12, because I've set it to +6 and the signal comes through - although it's a little lower than I expected.

So, transmitter at -6db, receiver at +6db, and the dr-40 input level is at 75 - not sure if there's anything else I should adjust but, I got sound!

Rick Reineke · July 18th, 2014, 09:52 AM

The transmitter's sensitivity should be adjusted according to the source SPL. The meter should read at least 75% deviation on peaks. I prefer to run my G2/3 receivers at line level. ( AF out @ +12) May be a little anemic on some devices though, but mic level works OK. BTW, DO NOT have Phantom Power engaged, the G2/3 EK100 portable receiver is unbalanced.
Note: The original Sennheiser Evolution wireless appearance was quite different than the G2/3 and ran on 9V batts.

Krystian Ramlogan · July 18th, 2014, 11:29 AM

Hi Rick.

Ok, I'll change the receiver to +12; and yes - the phantom power is "off" on the DR-40.

Thanks!

Les Wilson · July 21st, 2014, 09:53 AM

My 1st gen Senny receiver has a physical output volume knob. I run it at 50%

Shaun Roemich · July 21st, 2014, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

TBTW, DO NOT have Phantom Power engaged, the G2/3 EK100 portable receiver is unbalanced.

If memory serves correctly, Sennheiser receivers REALLY don't like Phantom power and will not output any audio in some scenarios if there is Phantom power present.

Rick Reineke · July 22nd, 2014, 07:18 AM

"Sennheiser receivers REALLY don't like Phantom power and will not output any audio in some scenarios if there is Phantom power present"
.. and rapidly drain the input devices batteries as well.

July 17th, 2014, 08:05 PM	#1
Krystian Ramlogan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 121	Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! Hi everyone. I've been trying to get my Sennheiser EW 100 G3 Wireless System to work with a Tascam DR-40 for over an hour and I can't get any levels on the DR-40. I tested the DR-40 with a direct XLR/cable connection to an MD 46 and it works fine, good levels, on both L/R channels. The internal mics were fine too; did a record using 4 channel and only those mics recorded sound. I also tested the MD 46 and the Wireless System (handheld plug, lav, receiver) connected directly to my camera (well 2 cameras, ex3 and a black magic pocket) and the sound comes through fine, good levels, etc. Of course, I really want to run the mics through the DR-40 (also using the dual recording -6 db for safety) and then on to the camera but, I cannot for the life of me figure out why I can't even get levels to show up on the DR-40. The units are old on the sennheiser system, so I know the firmware is ancient at 1.2.2 but, aside from that and I'm not even sure if that's a problem - I can't figure this out. Can anyone shed some light on this? Many thanks!

July 17th, 2014, 09:04 PM	#2
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! I assume you are using the Sennheiser cl100 XLR cable correct? Is the External Input Type switch on the DR-40 set to MIC as per the user guide and input to External? Are you using the 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation Sennheiser? Attached Thumbnails

July 17th, 2014, 09:20 PM	#3
Krystian Ramlogan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 121	Re: Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! Hi Les. I'm using the mini to xlr cable and yes, the DR-40 is set to the mic (middle) position. I believe my G3 system may be a first generation as I've had it since 2010 - though I'm not sure; maybe I should have posted the model #s or info from the back label. The transmitters are set to -18db and the receiver is set to - 12db. I feel like I'm missing something simple! Also the DR-40 is set to ext 1-2 (though I have tried ext 1 and independent) with no success. Last edited by Krystian Ramlogan; July 17th, 2014 at 10:55 PM.

July 17th, 2014, 11:13 PM	#4
Krystian Ramlogan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 121	Re: Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! Solved it! Apparently the level was too low at -12, because I've set it to +6 and the signal comes through - although it's a little lower than I expected. So, transmitter at -6db, receiver at +6db, and the dr-40 input level is at 75 - not sure if there's anything else I should adjust but, I got sound!

July 18th, 2014, 09:52 AM	#5
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! The transmitter's sensitivity should be adjusted according to the source SPL. The meter should read at least 75% deviation on peaks. I prefer to run my G2/3 receivers at line level. ( AF out @ +12) May be a little anemic on some devices though, but mic level works OK. BTW, DO NOT have Phantom Power engaged, the G2/3 EK100 portable receiver is unbalanced. Note: The original Sennheiser Evolution wireless appearance was quite different than the G2/3 and ran on 9V batts.

July 18th, 2014, 11:29 AM	#6
Krystian Ramlogan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 121	Re: Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! Hi Rick. Ok, I'll change the receiver to +12; and yes - the phantom power is "off" on the DR-40. Thanks!

July 21st, 2014, 09:53 AM	#7
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! My 1st gen Senny receiver has a physical output volume knob. I run it at 50% Attached Images

July 22nd, 2014, 07:18 AM	#9
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Sennheiser G3 to Tascam DR-40 - Help! "Sennheiser receivers REALLY don't like Phantom power and will not output any audio in some scenarios if there is Phantom power present" .. and rapidly drain the input devices batteries as well.