Sennheiser 816t t-power through CX231, Zoom H4n, and DSLRs

5

5minuteweather

New member
Okay, I've read the posts on using t-power mics with an XLR converter, and connecting to phantom power.

I just want to double-check with you guys before I hook things up. Here's what I've got:

I have a Sennheiser MKH-816T (using outdoors) that I'll be running through an XLR converter into the following setups depending on my situation:

A. To a Juiced Link CX231 XLR input set to 48v Phantom power, then to the mic input on a Zoom H4n.
B. To a Zoom H4n XLR input set to 48v Phantom power.
C. To a Juiced Link CX231 XLR input set to 48v Phantom power, then to the audio input on either a 5D Mark II, Rebel T2i, or Panasonic GH2 (with proper attenuation cable).

Are these the correct settings? Am I going to fry anything? Do these setups preclude me from pluggin in other mics into the CX231 or the Zoom H4n?

Thanks everyone for reading,

Pete.
 
The MKH 816T is a T-powered (AB powered) microphone and must NOT be used directly with phantom power.

You either have to power it from an external T-power PSU or get a special "phantom to T power converter", like this one from Canford Audio, that will taki in 48V phantom power from the recorder and output the 12V T-power for the microphone.

49-224_01.jpg

NB: 12V phantom power is just as bad as 48V phantom power - you MUST use 12V T-power.
 
Thanks, John.

I forgot to mention that my "XLR converter" is the Canford Audio piece. Does that make all okay, or will I still have any remaining issues (like plugging in additional mics on other channels).
 
No magic smoke should escape with that set up. It's the magic smoke that makes electronics work. You can tell because when you break something you can see the smoke escape.
 
Thanks, everyone. It works!

The only thing that's a bit of drag so far, is that if I plug the 816t through the CX231 into the mic line in on the H4n, the onboard stero mics cut out. I can have the onboards and the 816t running together in multi-channel mode if I run the 816t directly into the XLRs of the H4n, but that takes away the CX231 (which is a bummer, as it seems to do a good job of cutting out a lot of noise). Would a 3.5mm jack to XLR cable solve this by running the CX231 directly to the XLRs and not tying up the mic input line on the H4n, or am I missing something on how to not shut off the onboards by using the mic in line on the H4n?
 
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