Working condenser mics

[joeln87]

Me and my recording buddy ( my bands singer) were using condenser mics to record our amps. these mics came from our drumer's church. All the other mics work in the package of mics except the 2 condenser mics.. we have tried everything to get these to work. They are fairly new mics we have been told. Whats the chance that BOTH mics could be broken? is there somthing we are doing wrong? any imput welcome
thanks
joel

[aleclee]

Is the phantom power turned on in your mic preamp?

[Quinny]

Yes, more details on what they are and what they're plugged into required. Have they EVER worked?

Q.

[joeln87]

OK.. im EXTREAMLY new to recording of any sort.. the mics have been used before. i have no idea what a phantom switch is..and we have used a direct box with all the other mics of the same brand of the same drum package.

thanks
joel

[Quinny]

Joel, are the other mics condenser mics too? Doesn't sound like it from what you are saying. It would be a help if you could check it out and let us know what the 'direct box' you speak of is.

Q.

[aleclee]

Phantom power explained (http://homerecording.about.com/library/weekly/aa120599.htm)

If your hardware can't supply it, you'll probably have to punt on using the condensers.

[joeln87]

Im trying to explain it the best i can at the moment.. is there any reason that if i bought a pack of drum mics that are the same brand taht 2 wouldent work ? yet the rest worked perfectly fine?.. im trying to get info..
later
joel

[irwcustom]

i seem to remember having to rewire the mic lead as my console doesn't have xlrs for my AKG C1000s. (just 1/4" jacks) This has a 9v battery. The Neumann I now use has it's own PSU. and you can come out in XLR or whatever you like. Dunno if this might point you in the right direction or not Joel - will wait for more info from you

[joeln87]

Wow.. the recording world is confusing.. alright all i know at the moment as that my drummer brought a drum mic package. we used all the mics except for the 2 that dident work. Seeing as we have no money- we hooked all the drum mics up to P.A channels then used a cheep 50 dollar direct box (with 1/4" and and xlr jacks) into a computer. So i will A> find out the brand tonight. B find out the direct box, tonight when i go over to my singers house and then we can take it from there. Thanks guys

joel

[Quinny]

Joel... have a good look around your mixer/box and see if there's a button anywhere that say 'Phantom Power 48V' or words to that effect. (I'm assuming U.S. phantom power is the same as over 'ere).

It's a confusing world at times alright, this recording malarkey, you're not alone there!

Q.

[joeln87]

Haha we dont have amazing funds right now.. our " p.a." not recording mixer is a peavey from the 80s that we use to practice. We have yet to upgrade any better PA> and have yet to upgrade to a mixing board of some sort. But, i have seen things in mags ( tube pre-amps) with this for about 50 bucks would that get us up and running? thanks for all your help and quick replys.

Joel

[joeln87]

With a phantom 48 switch that is. Sorry for not making that clear.

joel

[GaryNattrass]

I suspect the reason they are not working it because the two condensors are phantom powered.

They will need XLR connectors with three pins for the phantom power, they will potentialy work to jacks but the jacks will need to be three pin and balanced.

I suspect your main problem is that the Peavey Pa amp from the 80's will not have phantom power.

You can get external phantom power supplies but if your funds are tight it may be better selling the two condensors and getting another couple of dynamic mics that dont need phantom power.

[joeln87]

well there not our mics to sell we are barrowing them( for as long as we need) from a church. do all mics need to be phantom powered? Im assuming no becasue we got all the other ones to work. Anywho if the cheepest way to get phantom power is buying a cheep unit to power them we might as well do that .
thanks joel

[GaryNattrass]

Not all mics need phantom power only capacitor mics and one dynamic the blue ball.

Some electret capacitor mics can be run off an internal battery.

Your best solution to get these two working is to get a small twin phantom power battery unit.

www.studiospares.com (http://www.studiospares.com/)
Is where we in the Uk would buy such a unit there must be a similar place in the USA.

Heres their selection of phanton boxes:
http://www.studiospares.com/viewproducts.asp?cid=2396&ctitle=PHANTOM%20POWER%20SUPPLIES&gtitle=MICROPHONES&p=1&gid=10

[aleclee]

All condenser mics need power of some sort (explained in my link above). The most common way of providing power to them is via phantom power.

[joeln87]

Learn somthing new everyday!.. well... almost :D im working on fixing this situation within the weekend. If i have any more questions ill let you know.

thanks gain
joel