Tascam DR-100 phantom power problem

Bernie Hipos

Bernie Hipos

Well-known member
Hey guys,

I just got the Tascam DR-100 instead of the Zoom H4N for my 7D and T2i. I got it because from what I've read it can record 2 XLR mics at the same time but I'm having problems using the phantom power. I have the Audio Technica AT875R shotgun mic plugged in to the left channel (needs phantom power) and the Sennheiser G2 wireless mic lav to the right and when I turn on the phantom power the sound was messed up. Hissing and buzzing sound (very loud) all over the place.

Do you think it's because of the Sennheiser G2 because it's already battery powered that's why it produces loud noise?

Why can't I use both the mic and the wireless mic at the same time? I have to turn the phantom power on for the AT875R to work.

Am I doing something wrong or the DR-100 is defective?

I really can't figure this out. Please help. Thanks in advance.
 
It's possible you're not using a balanced connection with the G2 and that's causing trouble. Other than that, phantom should have zero impact on virtually all non-phantom gear that's properly wired.

Can you post a sample file so we can hear what you're hearing?
 
Hey Bernie,

I'd be really interested to hear whether you solved your problem because I was intending to buy a Tascam to use in the same way. I'm worried it won't work with my Sony wireless mic receiver and shotgun at the same time.
 
Sorry to get in on this late since I have a DR100.

It is a weak spot in the DR100, phantom power is either on or off. You can't control it by channel, which is pretty dumb, for an otherwise pretty good recorder.

You can overcome this by using a mixer in front.

Grant

Grant
 
Running a Tascam DR-100 with lav and shotgun mic

Running a Tascam DR-100 with lav and shotgun mic

The Tascam DR-100 can only run with the phantom power on or off. If you use the Phantom power with most lave mics you will get a hiss. If you want to run a Lav mic and a shotgun at the same time from your Canon 5D, 7D or 1D Mark IV you can use a Sennheiser lav and a Rode NTG2. The NTG2 can run an internal battery so you can turn the phantom power off on the Tascam for both XLR. You can also use a mixer up front if you have a phantom only shotgun mic.

Get a DVcreators Line to Mic Cable and you can run the Tascam mixed output into your 5D mic jac. The custom line to mic cable has a built-in -50dB Mic Pad that is perfect for taking the Line level output from a portable recorder to the Mic Input of the Canon 5D and Canon 7D.

Having a recording on the Tascam SD card and the Cameras CF card allows for a great redundant backup and allows super fast syncing of the audio channels with PluralEyes even without a clapboard or timecode.

Another great thing about the Tascam DR-100 over the Zoom H4N is that you can adjust the gain separately between both XLR jacks, which is a must when running a shotgun and a lav.

On the Tascam You can also monitor the recording levels on your headphones while it runs the line out to your camera (Can’t with the Zoom H4n).

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Something is screwed up in your configuration or you have a bad wireless or recorder.

I have been using the DR-100 for nearly a year, running a sennheiser ME-80, 416, AKG CK-93, and Senn ME-66 on one channel while running the Senn G or G3 wireless on the other channel.

I run this configuration several times a week and have not experienced what you're experiencing.

Make sure your gain staging is correct with your sennheiser. Also, you're squelch may be set too low.

The problem you're experiencing has nothing to do with phantom power being applied to both XLRs. You're got something else wrong.

Try it with just the wireless, and make sure your levels are correct:

1. Ensure that your sensitivity on the transmitter is set so the input to the transmitter is not clipping.

2. Adjust the gain on the reciever so you are getting good level on the meter without peaking.

3. Set your squelch on the reciever so that you're not getting anything meter reading with the transmitter on mute.

4. Connect it to the tascam and again adjust gain to you're hitting about -6 on the meter.

5. Make sure the Tascam input setting is set to stereo.

6. Plug in headphones into the tascam and listen. If you're all good, connect your shotgun to the other input, and ajust gain for just that channel on the tascam.

Bernie Hipos said:
Hey Jordan,

Here's the link to the file. Beware it's too loud. I really can't figure it out. Thanks for your reply. Cheers!

http://blip.tv/file/3620821
Click to expand...
 
Rest assured, the Tascam can handle this configuration just fine. I use it all the time like this.

HVXmania said:
Hey Bernie,

I'd be really interested to hear whether you solved your problem because I was intending to buy a Tascam to use in the same way. I'm worried it won't work with my Sony wireless mic receiver and shotgun at the same time.
Click to expand...
 
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