Sound Devices Mix Pre + wired LAV problem

[omnikron]

Hey guys, quick question maybe someone here can help me with.

I'm using a Sound Devices Mix Pre and http://www.frontendaudio.com/Rode-VXLR-Female-Mini-Jack-to-Male-XLR-p/3436.htm with a Countryman B3 mic and I have to turn the levels up ALL the way on the Mixpre to get it to sound loud enough when using it as a properly placed lav mic for interviews. I've also tried this with the Sennheiser ME-2 mic with the same results.

Settings are correct, XLR cables are good... it must be something with the Rode adapter or the mics require more output than the Mixpre is giving?? But that seems strange.

Anybody else have any experience with something like this?

 

[BRH]

I don't believe that mono1/8 mini to XLRM is powering you mic. How is the B3 wired..... you say you tried Senn. ME-2.. I guess from a G2 kit. Not correct hookup.
I think you need the Hardwired B3 with XLR preamp and then plug that into mic in on mix pre.

 

[omnikron]

ahh.. I was just going to say, yes, I'm using 1/8" mono threaded adapters so the mics can work on my G2 kit. Is there a way to have a LAV mic that can be used both for a G2 kit and hard-wired directly into the Mixpre? hmmm

 

[omnikron]

What's the recommended way to do this since my mics have 1/8" male plugs on them? Cut them off and re-wire? Sell them and buy ones wired for XLR?

 

[Steve House]

The Rode adapter is your problem. - you need an XLR adapter / power supply combination to properly drop the 48v phantom supply down to the 3-5 volts the mic expects and feed it correctly into the mic. There are a number of these on the market, this one from Sennheiser - http://www.trewaudio.ca/store/product.php?productid=908&cat=34&page=4 - would work or there are a lot of others. Also you might take a look at the Ambient "Eumel" adapter for Senheisser Evolution to XLR. http://www.ambient.de/produkte/mikrofonspeis/emp/emp_e.html

 

[omnikron]

Thanks! I found that the Sennheiser MZA-900P you showed DOES work for Countryman B3's but not B6's, which is fine since I have the B3s.. I'll check out the Ambient Eumel ones and compare prices. I think this is the best investment for now. I'd love an MKE2 or COS11D but can't justify the money for one right now when I have 2 perfectly good B3s at my disposal.