Balanced Output to Unbalanced Input

You probably should not use The cable.

So here is The catch. The 3.5mm connection is supplying power (if it's a mic in). It's not phantom it's something called "plugin power". So you really want to block that and not send it to The mics/ phantom box.

You also really should use a matching transformer to convert the low impedance balanced signal to a high impedance unbalanced signal. You probably don't "have" to but you are dumping at least 1/2 your signal by not doing it.

I believe that providing that The plugin power doesn't care (and it probably doesn't) a matching transformer on each cable would do both.

These are The kinds of things I'm talking about.

The Sure ones have interchangeable unbalanced connectors.
 
Thank you Scott. The plugin power certainly can be turned off, don't think i've ever turned it on.

Those transformers look like what i need.
 
Why don't you just use mics with internal batteries?
What sort of mic/s are you after?

If you are wanting a short shotgun mic with internal an internal battery..
Sennheiser MKE 600
Rode NTG2
Audio technica AT897
Most other brands also do them.
 
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Hi,

I've been looking towards some condenser cardioids to record my acoustic folk band live performances. We just comprise of a guitar. fiddle and one singer (female). I'd generally thought shotguns were just for recording dialogue or drums, would they work for acoustic instruments i've mentioned?

I imagine i would still need the transformers Scott mentions for battery powered mics?
 
I had my doubts that you could turn off the plugin power, but you are right you can. I would bet it's on by default so you probably need to turn it off.

Yes you would still need to use the transformers.

Now an option that is more $$ but will give you better results is to pick up something like a used MixPre. Then you can go line in to your recorder and have a really good front end for your recorder. I saw one go for about $300 on ebay the other day.
 
I'll have to keep an eye out especially if they're going around $300. I'd looked before the new year but they were up around the $500 range. Unfortunately nothing listed on ebay or on the sales board but i think i'll wait out until after weekend. If there's nothing i'll go with the Phantom box and transformers as a stop gap measure.

Thank you for your advice Scott.
 
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