is my audiotechnica shotgun mic dead now?

omar_

omar_

Well-known member
Hey guys. I have the audio technical 897 shotgun mic. The xlr connection seems loose as it doesn't pick up sound. I have to keep jiggling the xlr cable and the connection goes in and out. It happened out of nowhere. I tried different cables so it's definitely the loose prongs

Anyone know how to open the bottom end? There are no screws at the bottom.
Or is this mic dead now because of this?
 
Any decent mic is repairable. But you should probably not being the one doing it. Kind of like you don't want to open up your watch to "fix" it you need to let someone who knows what they are doing work on your mic.

Sounds like you may have a broken wire at the connector and that should be pretty easy to fix.
 
Few hours later got it opened and it looks like one of the connectors is either torn out or loose but I'm not sure what connects with what :lipsrseal


IMG_20140404_233123.jpg
 
You need to track down the service manual or send the mic off to Audio Technica for repair. If it was only one wire that was broken you might be okay with DIY but with two loose and no documentation you've only got a 50-50 chance of guessing right. Reversing them will screw up the phasing of the mic.
 
Don't know for sure, but typically.. the black wire goes to shield/ground (pin 1). White to cold (pin-3)... assuming the red wire is connected to hot (pin-2).
As Steve stated.. about a 50-50 chance.
You could give AT service a call and ask them as well.

Addendum: On closer examination, the (bottom) barrel connector set screw socket appears broken, so sending it to AT would be recommended.
 
Last edited:
Rick R said:
Addendum: On closer examination, the (bottom) barrel connector set screw socket appears broken, so sending it to AT would be recommended.
Click to expand...

Yes, I noticed this - it looks as if the housing is broken and will need replacing.

With the high costs of labour nowadays, it may even be cheaper to get a new mic.

Personally, I would send the photo to AT Service Dept. and ask them.
 
Before you throw it away to get a new one, please consider sending it to me ; ).
Talking to the service team is a good idea, but if it were mine I would try to fix it myself.
 
Rick R said:
Addendum: On closer examination, the (bottom) barrel connector set screw socket appears broken, so sending it to AT would be recommended.
Click to expand...

I'm willing to bet that happened when trying to take it apart.

Don't ask me how I know; I just do. ;)
 
Are you trying to say that a hammer is not in your tool kit? It's so much faster than a screwdriver ;~)

I thought that also but I think the break is too close to the edge to be the set screw. Though that doesn't mean it didn't happen in disassembly.

How do you break two wires that don't get flexed in side a mic?
 
I think you're right Scott, as I look closer, the connector set screw hole may be is still intact. But talk about trashing gear though.
 
Well the nice part about a shot gun is it's long enough to get a good grip on. I find that cardioids are only good for brads but a nice big shotgun and you can get up to a 10d nail driven.

I helped set up a shoot at a high-school and they had one large diaphragm condenser where the XLR jack was oval. I'm not even sure how that happens? Another had the locking ledge broken out, probably someone just kept yanking till the cable came free...
 
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