Mic Gain for Sennheiser K-6/ME-66 / phantom or bat?

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dcnblues

Active member
I have an HPX170. I just bought a Sennheiser K-6/ME-66. If I run the XLR microphone output into the HX170 with this microphone, I apparently have two options:

-Run the mic under battery power
-Run the mic under phantom power (the camera powering the mic through the XLR cable).

I have read, however, that under phantom power only, this microphone's output level is unusually high / hot.

I'm not experienced, but am trying to build a little studio with the best setup possible. I'll be putting the mic above the subject at a 45 degree angle, about three to four feet away.

I'd love some advice on how to best set up the camera's Mic Gain.
 
I use an ME64/K6 as an on camera backup for our main Sanken CS1 mic, and in terms of output levels, the Sennheiser is very similar (if very slightly more sensitive). The ME66 is similar to the ME64, so I can't see you would have any issues. I always use phantom power (why waste batteries?) Obviously make sure you have it set to mic input (not line).

If you have any major problems, best to check the audio forum as the real experts hang out there.
 
I always use camera phantom power with my 66 as well. Unless you need another source, plug it in to #2, and set both Ch1 and Ch2 inputs to #2. You can set levels on each channel independently to handle wide changes in input levels. I usually set Ch 1 to "normal", and Ch 2 down a couple notches. That way, if Ch1 peaks or clips, it will still be undistorted on Ch2. Your levels setings will depend on your specific situation.

Be aware when you do this, that 4 channels will be recorded, as the camera internal mics will continue to record to Ch3&4 (DVCPro50 and above), and you will have all 4 channels available in post.
 
Dick Campbell said:
I always use camera phantom power with my 66 as well. Unless you need another source, plug it in to #2, and set both Ch1 and Ch2 inputs to #2. You can set levels on each channel independently to handle wide changes in input levels. I usually set Ch 1 to "normal", and Ch 2 down a couple notches. That way, if Ch1 peaks or clips, it will still be undistorted on Ch2. Your levels setings will depend on your specific situation.
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+ 1

I do this too and it works very well. This is a great mic.
 
Thanks for the info. I'm now trying to figure whether it's worth the effort to go double system. I like what I've read about the Apogee Duet, both as a mic preamp and as an AD converter, and sending the digital signal into my mac via firewire, to very good looking software that plugs right into FCP and / or Soundtrack Pro. That's attractive.

On the other hand, I just bought a pretty good preamp and the AD converter on the Matrox MX02 is probably good enough that I wouldn't be able to hear any improvement by the Duet.

Re: the hot output. Turns out I got some bad info from some board, can't remember where, but will repost for anyone considering the Sennheiser:
-The ME66 in general is a very hot mic- I'm sending mine in for the "red dot modification" at Senheisser. Bascially they remove one of the capacitors to make it a bit more usuable. In it's stock form it tends to overload quite easily. This modification supposedly doesn't affect the dynamic range of the mic while lowering it's sensitivity and inclination to overload. It's a free mod under warranty- out of warranty it's like $9 usd.

-One thing: when you run the ME66 off of phantom power (+48VDC sent down the mic cable as a DC offset) it puts out a VERY hot signal. I run the mic with the pot down quite low and get very acceptable audio. I am considering getting an attenuator to give better gain control.
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Upon further research, I'm guessing the mic is fine, and this was the issue the poster had:
-Red Dotting microphones: "The XLR cables that connect the mic to the preamp or mixer have three pins, one of which is a ground, and older or used equipment can have the pins wired differently. Most new equipment is all standardized and shouldn't be an issue, but I've come across a few tech glitches and confusion based on this issue. Experienced pros carry with them a phase-reversing cable. "These are simply foot4ong XLR mike cables, with leads 2 and 3 switched in the connector at one end. One of these cables, inserted between the mike and power source, will correct any red-dot-to standard mismatch which could occur due to oversight or the last minute addition/replacement of equipment." "
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I can also say that the K6/ME-66 is fine with the phantom power from the HVX 200. I have used it quite often as a directional on-camera mic on the HVX200.
Frankly I can not imagine that the mic would have different output levels with battery power than it would have with phantom power.

If you are extremely audiophile you might not like the slightly raised noise levels on the audio channels of the HVX 200 as soon as you turn on phantom power. It's really negligible, I never even noticed it until a sound tech told me about it. This is a different story however and has nothing to do with the microphone.
 
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??? FBAS, That seems a bit contradictory.

I'd love to know more. Are you saying there's some kind of feedback loop in the camera that boosts level, even a little?
 
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