Simplest, best, cheapest inline Phantom power supply

D

Decius

Active member
I've had a wicked horrible time trying to find this.

Anyways, I already have a great digital recorder, and I don't want to buy another one (H4N).

I also don't want to spend 400 dollars on the Sony XLR-1, or something like that, because that seems ridiculous expensive.

So what I want, is something that just goes inline to an XLR connector that provides phantom power to a condensor mic. Kind of like the K6 for the ME66, but one that provides actual phantom power via XLR.

Possible? Links, suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Cheapest? Build it. You need a box two XLR connectors some battery clips (depends on how much power you actually need) a diode and a pair of resistors. The resistors are 2.2K ( I would use the highest precision ones you can get but 1% should be OK). Here is a link.

Personally I would probably add a pair of low value capacitors to block the DC from getting back to the recorder.
 
I built a battery box for plug-in power, and it was a nightmare. I don't want to do it again. So building is out. Thanks though.
 
See, anything over 100 bucks and I might as well get an H4N. I could probably get one used for 150 bucks, so I'm looking at around 50 bucks for this, max.

Thing is, i don't understand why they are so expensive. The circuitry is so simple yet these things are so overpriced.
 
Decius said:
I built a battery box for plug-in power, and it was a nightmare. I don't want to do it again. So building is out. Thanks though.
Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^^ Unfortunately, that is why. 135 is no where near the 400 you didn't want to spend. It would help in the future, if you would be more specific. I kinda feel I just wasted my time with this.
 
^^^^^^^^^^ Unfortunately, that is why
Click to expand...
I don't know what that means.

You provided links to a product that is priced almost the same as a used H4N. I appreciate the help, but if your suggestion doesn't fit the bill - that's how it goes. You shouldn't feel bad about it. It adds to the statistics of finding a solution.
 
You don't want to build it yourself, but you need the part. Well, manufacturers depend on people that don't want DIY. And they can charge what the market will support. Supply and Demand.

You stated you didn't want to buy another recorder. You stated you didn't want to pay over 400 for one. Now you say you don't want to pay over 100, and you will get another recorder. See my frustration?

I gave you the info you wanted within your original parameters. Whatever. Good luck.
 
lol

If another recorder was cheaper than your proposed power supply, would it make much sense to go that route? I didn't specify that, and yes, I agree that sort of is ambiguous, but it is sort of logical to understand that if I'm not going to spend 150 on an H4N, I'm not going to spend the same amount of money on a power supply WITHOUT the recording capabilities.
 
It's not that nobody knows about them but that hardly anybody needs them. There just are not that many people who need phantom with out owning a device that provides it. Well at least not that many sound people. I have a hand full because they came with something else. I have never used them.

Cost wise. I suspect that the pricier units are providing 48V. That either requires a stack of batteries (5 9V gets you close) or you need voltage converters. They are probably providing short protection and would certainly be putting in blocking caps. The connectors alone, new, would run you over $15. Add a box with a battery compartment and a switch your getting close to $25 and you haven't done the supply yet. A high end unit probably has $20 - $30 in parts plus assembly and testing. Double that so you can stay in business, its so small (in the price range of pro stuff) you may need to triple just to make it worth while to actually make it. Now you have shipping to a dealer and they slap another 50 - 100% markup and bingo you have a reason to learn how to solder.
 
The inherent flaw in your logic, obviously, is that there are a thousand devices out there with more complicated electronics for far less the cost. Talking about part cost is ridiculous when it comes to the variance in manufacturing electronics.

The demand certainly exists for this - not as great as some other devices, but in 10 minutes I've found like 20 different units under 50 dollars, which no one here mentioned. So, yes, it's that nobody knows this, and I'm solving this little dillemma myself and doing others like myself a favor by posting my results in this thread, in the hope, that instead of trying to decree oneself a "master sound man" I'd get some actual suggestions on products.
 
Decius said:
http://www.amazon.com/Nady-SMPS-1X-Phantom-Power-Supply/dp/B000XUUXB8

20 bucks, with great reviews. But I need something that has battery power for portabilitity. Getting close though. Surprised no one else knows about these things.
Click to expand...

LOL I love the review where the guy loved it because it made his mic "crazy loud". So a lot louder than a phantom mic with out phantom? My stereo works that way also it's a LOT louder when it's plugged in ;~)

It's probably fine but you need to take into account who is ranting or raving about something in a review. As you mentioned it's not rocket science so it shouldn't be too hard for a company to make one that isn't junk.
 
Decius said:
lol

If another recorder was cheaper than your proposed power supply, would it make much sense to go that route? I didn't specify that, and yes, I agree that sort of is ambiguous, but it is sort of logical to understand that if I'm not going to spend 150 on an H4N, I'm not going to spend the same amount of money on a power supply WITHOUT the recording capabilities.
Click to expand...

Possibly it depends. If your bottom surfing you should mention that other wise people will assume you looking for something trustworthy. This is such a simple thing that Nady might be fine but they are not as a rule "trustworthy" in a professional sense.
 
Decius said:
I was referring to the low noise reviews, not the one you picked out.
Click to expand...

Well since it does no amplifying it should not be adding any noise at all. It's a little like praising a cable for not adding noise. My point was that that reviewer had no idea what he was talking about. You have no way of knowing if any of the others do either. Heck you have no way of knowing if I know what I'm talking about. Well except that on this forum if I spout some BS there are a bunch of folks who will pounce on me and correct my mistake. I was just saying not all reviews are created equal and you need to take them with a grain of salt.

I was going to edit my other post but since I'm here...

Your kind of acting like all these things are check boxes and if it's checked in product X it's the same as if it were checked in product Y.

Phantom power does not have a defined voltage assigned to it, or a current value either I believe. So "phantom power" is not "a" thing but a group of things. Some recorders that have "phantom power" only out put 12V and some mics wont work with that. Some phantom supplies are under powered (with a mic that draws a lot of power the phantom voltage will drop and it shouldn't) and wont work well with some mics. So while it's a simple device and a very cheap version should be fine, add no noise and work with most/ all mics. It's not a given. That is part of what your paying for in higher end stuff. That it has been built to better standards and will not have cut corners that will bite you in the but.

I'm a big fan of affordable stuff but it is very much a case of buyer beware.
 
doing others like myself a favor by posting my results in this thread, in the hope, that instead of trying to decree oneself a "master sound man" I'd get some actual suggestions on products.
Click to expand...
You have been shown several options. No one is declaring themselves a master sound man here. But.....you need to know, if quality sound is your goal, your equipment must match that ideal (at least meet it halfway). I don't have $20,000 in gear, but I do know, that if you want good results, you have to pay for decent gear. Going ultra cheap on the equipment, usually ends in audio disaster. I have about 2800 in location gear, and I am replacing some of it as fast as I can.

You have yet to show anything I would even remotely consider. The old saying of "You get what you pay for" is doubly appropriate, when it comes to sound equipment. I am not a gear-snob by any means, but there is such a thing as low priced quality gear, and then there are low priced toys.
 
Having sold MANY of the Denecke phantom power boxes, I can speak from a little personal experience here.

They are made from finely machined aluminum, are designed by the Denecke folks, and are rugged as heck. When looking at the cost, you have to figure that stuff in. They may not be "cheap", but they are top notch, and the industry standard when you go to production sets and see what the production sound mixer has in their arsenal. Plus, it's Denecke. They are located in Valencia, California, and everything is made in California. They have absolutely fantastic customer support and service. Normally, I wouldn't tout another manufacturer on here, because I don't want to play favorites or anything like that, but I've dealt with Denecke more than most people, and I can't say enough good things about them. The nice thing about their phantom power box is that it has a belt clip on it, so it's great for boom ops to be able to just clip right on themselves, and it's really easy to change the battery.

Now, if you don't want a separate box, but are going from something inline, like a barrel adapter, I seem to remember someone making something like that, but I can't remember exactly who. It could have been Shure, or maybe AT, but it's been 5 years since I've seen those, and I'm not sure if they are around any more (the products, I mean, not the manufacturers).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top