phantom power at DVinfo.net

David Stone · January 26th, 2004, 08:37 PM

I have an Mbox which allows me to activate a 48V switch for phantom power when I use a microphone that requires it. Is there any way I can connect the microphone to the xl1S using the MA 100 XLR connectors and the Mbox rather than paying for a separate source of power to use a microphone that requires phantom power?

Don Palomaki · January 27th, 2004, 05:23 AM

Please describe the output of the Mbox. Is there a site with its specs?

David Stone · January 27th, 2004, 10:44 AM

Pro Tools Le is the software that comes with several of Digidesign's hard-disk audio recording systems, including Digi 001, Mbox, and Audiomedia. These systems are primarily for use in home recording studios and project studios, or, in the case of the Mbox, to be taken on the road. Mbox is a two channel digital audio interface for usb computers. It includes two built-in focusrite mic preamps, two channels of analog I/O, and two channels of S/PDIF digital I/O. Mbox also includes two analog line inserts for outboard effects processing. The full specs are located at www.digidesign.com.

Don Palomaki · January 27th, 2004, 03:46 PM

Looks like the analog output of the MBox is about +4 dB, on the order of 30 dB higher than should be fed to the MA-100. (The MA100 is designed for mic level inputs and will distort noticeably when the input gets above around -10 dB.)

You could feed the output to the MA-100 going through a ~30 dB pad (reduces the output. Alternatively you could feed the output directly to the Audio1 jack with the input Audio 1 input level sert to line and using manual gain.

I note that the MBox appears to be powered by the USB port used to connect it to a PC - you will have to have a power source for it.

David Stone · January 27th, 2004, 03:58 PM

Thanks Don that information really helps. I use the Mbox with a powerbook which allows me to mix sound "on the road". The Mbox is designed to work with a laptop for this purpose.

January 26th, 2004, 08:37 PM	#1
David Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 40	phantom power I have an Mbox which allows me to activate a 48V switch for phantom power when I use a microphone that requires it. Is there any way I can connect the microphone to the xl1S using the MA 100 XLR connectors and the Mbox rather than paying for a separate source of power to use a microphone that requires phantom power?

January 27th, 2004, 05:23 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Please describe the output of the Mbox. Is there a site with its specs? __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 27th, 2004, 03:46 PM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Looks like the analog output of the MBox is about +4 dB, on the order of 30 dB higher than should be fed to the MA-100. (The MA100 is designed for mic level inputs and will distort noticeably when the input gets above around -10 dB.) You could feed the output to the MA-100 going through a ~30 dB pad (reduces the output. Alternatively you could feed the output directly to the Audio1 jack with the input Audio 1 input level sert to line and using manual gain. I note that the MBox appears to be powered by the USB port used to connect it to a PC - you will have to have a power source for it. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 27th, 2004, 10:44 AM	#3
David Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 40	Pro Tools Le is the software that comes with several of Digidesign's hard-disk audio recording systems, including Digi 001, Mbox, and Audiomedia. These systems are primarily for use in home recording studios and project studios, or, in the case of the Mbox, to be taken on the road. Mbox is a two channel digital audio interface for usb computers. It includes two built-in focusrite mic preamps, two channels of analog I/O, and two channels of S/PDIF digital I/O. Mbox also includes two analog line inserts for outboard effects processing. The full specs are located at www.digidesign.com.

January 27th, 2004, 03:58 PM	#5
David Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 40	Thanks Don that information really helps. I use the Mbox with a powerbook which allows me to mix sound "on the road". The Mbox is designed to work with a laptop for this purpose.