Need a hardware lav for Tascam DR 40

OKCPicker

OKCPicker

Active member
Hardwire that is - Sent out a vintage Sony ECM 50 to a friend who just bought a Tascam DR 40. The ECM is still an awesome mic but it doesn't seem to enough gain for the Tascam. My friend says there is much noise on the low signal coming in, even with a fresh batt in the Sony or phantom power on.

Audio Technica does have a wired lav, the AT 803b that will work on the DR 40 but we were hoping we could get the ECM to work. Is there a preamp we could try to use? The on board DR 40 stereo mics are pretty hot compared to the signal coming in from the Sony ECM lav.
thanks!
 
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The ECM 50 is .. old.. it It could be faulty due to age or wear. It was one of the first lapel type lavs, and HUGE, by today's standards. As I recall, it was powered by a 'N' cell battery', not readily available these days
I don't recall if it worked w/ Phantom Pwr.
 
The original ECM-50 (introduced in 1969!) uses an alkaline N battery. Those are not sold everywhere these days, but you can still get them at Radio Shack. At some point in the ECM-50 production run, they lengthened the battery compartment to use a AA battery, but neither version takes phantom power.

The later, upgraded model ECM-50PS (late '70s) uses a AA battery, or can run on phantom power. For obvious reasons, this is the more desirable variant.

If you have an original ECM-50, it is nearing if not past 40 years old, and I would say its reliability and sound quality would be questionable at best.

The AT-803B is a decent sounding inexpensive lav, but the power supply/connector module at the end of the thin cable to the capsule is HUGE. It does run on either a AA battery or phantom power, but hiding (or dragging around) that big brick along with the microphone will definitely crimp your style. I'd recommend the Rode Lavalier with an appropriate MiCon adapter instead, or one of the "usual suspects" from Tram or Countryman.

- Greg
 
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