I just bought a AT875R after doing some research into low budget mics. However when I hooked it up to my DR-40, even at a close range the sound is super low. After a little more reading I figure this might be from the Dr-40 not having enough power for the mic. I am not a techie and was just looking for some cheaper tools to help me film shorts and web series. I wanted a mic with a wind screen to improve sound quality on my next project and that was the inspiration behind this purchase. Any advice would be great, also if the Dr-40 cant do the job then any advice on how and what to use the AT875R with would also help. I want to at least make the most use out of the the equiptment I have.
AT875R and Dr-40
- Thread starter lightngn
- Start date
I have the phantom power button on the Dr-40 it even asked if I want to use phantom power and I said yes, not sure how to adjust it to 48 volts and I also have the input volume sound all the way up. I mean im getting some pick up its just super low and im all the way up to it.
unclebob6958
Well-known member
Is your cable okay? XLR to XLR?
Rick R
Veteran
The Phantom Pwr. 12 or 48 voltage select is under the software "Menu> Others> System> Phantom Volt". Obviously the 'Ext. In' side switch must be set to: "Mic + Phantom".
If that doesn't work, check the XLR cable as 'Uncle Bob' suggested.
FWIW, If the mic is far away from a low SPL sound source, low levels are normal.. and even if the levels are good, it would likely sound 'distant'. The DR-40 and other budget recorder's pre amps do not offer a lot of gain anyway, but with the mic properly placed, (no more than 18 inches or so from the person speaking) it should sound OK.
If that doesn't work, check the XLR cable as 'Uncle Bob' suggested.
FWIW, If the mic is far away from a low SPL sound source, low levels are normal.. and even if the levels are good, it would likely sound 'distant'. The DR-40 and other budget recorder's pre amps do not offer a lot of gain anyway, but with the mic properly placed, (no more than 18 inches or so from the person speaking) it should sound OK.
GaryNattrass
Veteran
Also check that you are actually listening to the AT875r and not the internal mics as I understand that the internal mics record to tracks 1+2 and the ext to 3+4.
Mics do not need a lot of phantom power voltage but as other posters have said you need an XLR to XLR cable for it to work not an XLR to TRS jack cable.
Mics do not need a lot of phantom power voltage but as other posters have said you need an XLR to XLR cable for it to work not an XLR to TRS jack cable.
Rick R
Veteran
Some mics need a full 48 volts to operate, others can operate efficiently on 12V. According to the AT875r specs, it's stated to operate on voltage from "11-52V DC, 2 mA typical". So the DR40's Phantom Pwr. voltage setting is probably not the issue. Try another cable, then another mic as a troubleshooting procedure, after verifying the recorder's hardware and software settings of coarse.