Mic to Line, Balanced to Unbalanced box at DVinfo.net

Paul Jefferies · February 16th, 2007, 07:54 PM

Hi,
I need to find a box to convert mic level to line level, Balanced XLR inputs to Unbalanced Phono/RCA outputs, all to run off battery power, anyone got any suggestions? (p.s. some control over mic levels may be handy too...)

Steve House · February 16th, 2007, 08:27 PM

There's a wide range of options for you, depends on just what you need it for. Behringer has a battery operated mixer under about $100. At a more professional level something like the Sound Devices MixPre is a good choice - 2 XLR mic level inputs with phantom and faders. XLR +4dBU line level outputs plus -10dBV stereo line output on a 3.5mm TRS jack (a stereo TRS plug to dual RCA Y-cable is just a couple of bucks at Radio Shack and a jillion other places). Headphone monitor. Internal battery or external 6-18VDC power.

Kit Hannah · February 16th, 2007, 09:22 PM

Might just be worth while getting a Direct box - You can get some with level controls, but most "Active" boxes will provide a 20db pad switch. The behringer costs around $30 from Guitar Center.

Peter Rhalter · February 17th, 2007, 04:04 AM

To change mic level to line level you need a preamp.

To convert "Balanced XLR inputs to Unbalanced Phono/RCA outputs" you need an adaptor. I have one by TecNec (model OTL-2S) that has XLR inputs and RCA outputs and is passive; it doesn't need a power source and works fine. A good source for this kind of device is Markertek.com. Have them send you one of their catalogs; it is full of this type of gizmo.

Best wishes,
Peter
______________________
http://www.parkfilms.com

Paul Jefferies · February 17th, 2007, 06:44 AM

Thank you all for your suggestions

Jon Fairhurst · February 17th, 2007, 03:13 PM

The passive ones have a transformer inside of them. They match impedances, but you need enough gain in the next stage for it to work. Also, they work best with microphones that have good sensitivity.

One tip: keep the wire short after you've converted to unbalanced. If it's long and finds its way near a power cord, you'll get hum.

Also note that the passive ones don't have phantom power. It's no problem with dynamic mics, or mics that take batteries, but if the mic needs phantom power, then you need a preamp.

February 16th, 2007, 07:54 PM	#1
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	Mic to Line, Balanced to Unbalanced box Hi, I need to find a box to convert mic level to line level, Balanced XLR inputs to Unbalanced Phono/RCA outputs, all to run off battery power, anyone got any suggestions? (p.s. some control over mic levels may be handy too...)

February 16th, 2007, 08:27 PM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	There's a wide range of options for you, depends on just what you need it for. Behringer has a battery operated mixer under about $100. At a more professional level something like the Sound Devices MixPre is a good choice - 2 XLR mic level inputs with phantom and faders. XLR +4dBU line level outputs plus -10dBV stereo line output on a 3.5mm TRS jack (a stereo TRS plug to dual RCA Y-cable is just a couple of bucks at Radio Shack and a jillion other places). Headphone monitor. Internal battery or external 6-18VDC power. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

February 17th, 2007, 03:13 PM	#6
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	The passive ones have a transformer inside of them. They match impedances, but you need enough gain in the next stage for it to work. Also, they work best with microphones that have good sensitivity. One tip: keep the wire short after you've converted to unbalanced. If it's long and finds its way near a power cord, you'll get hum. Also note that the passive ones don't have phantom power. It's no problem with dynamic mics, or mics that take batteries, but if the mic needs phantom power, then you need a preamp. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

February 16th, 2007, 09:22 PM	#3
Kit Hannah Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 528	Might just be worth while getting a Direct box - You can get some with level controls, but most "Active" boxes will provide a 20db pad switch. The behringer costs around $30 from Guitar Center.

February 17th, 2007, 04:04 AM	#4
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	To change mic level to line level you need a preamp. To convert "Balanced XLR inputs to Unbalanced Phono/RCA outputs" you need an adaptor. I have one by TecNec (model OTL-2S) that has XLR inputs and RCA outputs and is passive; it doesn't need a power source and works fine. A good source for this kind of device is Markertek.com. Have them send you one of their catalogs; it is full of this type of gizmo. Best wishes, Peter ______________________ http://www.parkfilms.com

February 17th, 2007, 06:44 AM	#5
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	Thank you all for your suggestions