iMic volume/noise issues

[kozikowski]

I just went a dug up the specs on the microphone again. All the reviews feature words like "Low Level" and "High Gain Preamplifier." Those are difficult microphones to use with cheap amplifiers that don't cost very much.

One of the users claims 70dB gain to bring the performance up to normal levels for capturing or recording. That's a serious amplifier. Like pick one up with both hands. My Field Mixer in the above posts maxes out around 60 and even with that, the hiss noise is starting to come up. USB Amplifiers that will fit in your wallet don't have a chance.

One of the reviewers compared this to an older RCA 77DX ribbon. I don't have one of those, but I do have an RCA 44BX -- the orchestra version. It's almost impossible to use without a full mixdown audio console or special purpose Mic Preamplifier. So you may have high qualitied yourself right out of a job.

<<<I tried the Imic & eventually sent it back for a refund. I now use a Behringer to power my amplified speakers & a Samson C03 usb mike for recording.
Stearman65>>>

I put my iMic out in the garage and I never use the larger ribbons.

Koz

[tymime]

We're still missing one piece. The iMic that I had and hated had 1/8" (3.5mm) connections on it, not 1/4" (6.3mm) phone sockets. We know what the microphone is. Show us the web site of your iMic.

I seriously doubt that there's some sort of special website for "my" iMic, or that there's different kinds of iMics.
But I think the info you're really looking for is how I connected the preamp to the iMic- I used one of those converter dealies. Not unlike this one here: http://www.eforbuy.com/1-4--stereo-plug ... apter.html

Why do you ask anyhow? What difference does it make?

[kozikowski]

<<<Why do you ask anyhow? What difference does it make?>>>

I was going to say it doesn't make any difference at all, but I'm reminded from the illustrations it could. Is the adapter mono to mono? Does the end look like this...

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audioconnecto ... ctors.html

...or like this...

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/UnbalBalAdapter.jpg

The iMic is trying to supply battery on the ring connection of the 1/8". If that's in the circuit because of a stereo 1/8" plug, then the microphone is not only trying to push the sound connection, but the battery connection, too. That can't be good.

This is the proper adapter, although I don't expect the system to magically start working.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062446

Koz

[steve]

The microphone cable doesn't match on both ends, does it? It's probably female XLR3 on one end (three holes inside) and Something Else on the other. Does it look like this...

http://www.ace4parts.com/Products/Unbal ... -1590.aspx

If that's not it, find a picture on line that shows us what you do have.

Yes, that's exactly what my cable looks like. It's all I've got at the moment.

Can we run through this again - do you have a lead with an XLR plug (3 pins) on one end and an XLR socket (3 holes) on the other to connect your microphone to the pre-amp?

You then connect the XLR output of the pre-amp to the iMic with a lead that has an XLR socket on one end (three holes) and a 1/4" jack plug on the other, and the 1/4" jack plug has a 1/4" to mini-jack converter on it?

The iMic is then connected to your computer via USB?

[tymime]

I've never noticed those stripes on the jacks before. But both my adaptors (1/4" to 1/8" and the other way round) are stereo. The Radioshack one is just like the one I own, except that it's mono of course.

Can we run through this again - do you have a lead with an XLR plug (3 pins) on one end and an XLR socket (3 holes) on the other to connect your microphone to the pre-amp?

You then connect the XLR output of the pre-amp to the iMic with a lead that has an XLR socket on one end (three holes) and a 1/4" jack plug on the other, and the 1/4" jack plug has a 1/4" to mini-jack converter on it?

The iMic is then connected to your computer via USB?

Like I said, I tried many different combinations, but none of them worked. I also said before that I have no cable with an XLR on both ends. I have two with a 1/4" jack on end and a female XLR on the other.

If it helps, I also have one with a stereo 1/8" on one end, and L/R RCAs on the other that I plug into the iMic's "preamp" for converting tapes, and a simple one with a stereo 1/8" on both ends that I use to send out my Mac's audio to my good stereo.

How does this sound?: mic > XLR on both ends > preamp > mono 1/4" to 1/8" (like this) > iMic > USB

[kozikowski]

I still need to know about that iMic. Mine had two different connectors and a Hi/Lo switch on it. Does yours?

Koz

[stearman65]

IMIC, Sent mine back & went USB, now got an Olympus LS-10 recorder, fab results. You could also try a Behringer UCA 202, which I use to feed my powered speakers, it's USB to stereo jack & has a volume control. Cuts out noise from jack connection with the USB.
Stearman65

[steve]

Like I said, I tried many different combinations, but none of them worked. I also said before that I have no cable with an XLR on both ends. I have two with a 1/4" jack on end and a female XLR on the other.

The thing that is confusing me is that on the Electro-Harmonix web page about the 12AY7 mic Pre-amp, there is no mention of a 1/4" input. It says there is a 1/4" output, and XLR output and an XLR input, so without a male XLR to female XLR lead I cannot see how you can connect your microphone to the pre-amp.
http://www.ehx.com/products/12ay7-mic-pre

[tymime]

The thing that is confusing me is that on the Electro-Harmonix web page about the 12AY7 mic Pre-amp, there is no mention of a 1/4" input. It says there is a 1/4" output, and XLR output and an XLR input, so without a male XLR to female XLR lead I cannot see how you can connect your microphone to the pre-amp.
http://www.ehx.com/products/12ay7-mic-pre

1/4" output? Well, no wonder it didn't work! I was using that to plug in my mic! I must have forgotten about that. By the time I actually tried recording, I hadn't looked at the website in a while.

I still need to know about that iMic. Mine had two different connectors and a Hi/Lo switch on it. Does yours?

Huh, so iMics do vary. Who knew?
So mine's got 1/8" "in" and "out" sockets, and a Line/Mic switch. It also came with a preamp of sorts for line recording, which has L/R RCA sockets.

[steve]

Got my fingers crossed while you go out and buy an XLR microphone lead

If I remember correctly, your microphone is a ribbon mic?
Don't forget that most brands of ribbon microphone are destroyed by phantom power. Check the manual if in doubt, but don't connect with an XLR lead with phantom power switched on unless you are absolutely 100% sure that your microphone will not explode (albeit silently).