External Microphone problem not working.

Question

External Microphone problem not working.

I am trying to get a Sony ECM-DS70P Condenser Stereo Microphone with a 3.5mm stereo male plug to work on my MacBook Pro with a Behringer UCA222 USB Audio Interface and I am having no joy at all.

Summary of Problem

The Microphone will not work when plugged directly into the Line-in jack on the MacBook Pro because the Audio Line-In input on the MacBook is line level -10dB to+4dB and microphones are generally around -40dB. So, I need either a line level preamp or a usb audio interface.

I decided on a USB Audio Interface (Behringer UCA222).

The Microphone is plugged into a 3.5mm stereo to RCA L & R cable which is plugged into the L/R RCA inputs on the Behringer UCA222. The Behringer UCA222's USB Cable is plugged into a USB port on the MacBook Pro.

On the Macbook Pro in System Preferences > Sound > the output is set to Internal Speakers and the input is set to the USB Codec (Which showed up when the Behringer UCA222 was plugged in).

But it doesn't work!

Any help from anyone would be very much appreciated.

Here are all the specs:

Sony ECM-DS70P Microphone

Frequency Response : 100-15,000Hz

Maximum Input Level : 110dB SPL (THD 1% @ 1kHz)

Noise Level : 34dB SPL

Plug : L-shaped gold-plated mini plug, 3.5mm

Sensitivity : -38dBV, ±3.5dB

Type : Electret condenser microphone

Behringer UCA222 USB Audio Interface

Link to Specs:

http://www.behringer.com/assets/UCA222_P0A31_M_EN.pdf

MacBook Pro running OSX Lion 10.7.2

MacBook Pro

15" Early 2008

2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 2 GB

Bus Speed: 800 MHz

Boot ROM Version: MBP41.00C1.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.27f3

Serial Number (system): W88********

Hardware UUID: 298BAA49-A3B8-549F-8A3C-************

Sudden Motion Sensor:

State: Enabled

MacBook Pro early 2008

Posted on Jan 31, 2012 3:18 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jan 31, 2012 3:19 PM in response to Courtlandmcdonald

This really is not a problem with the MacBook Pro. You need to go to the microphone manufacturer's website, and ask your question there.

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Answer 2

sanjampet

Level 5

7,988 points

Jan 31, 2012 3:31 PM in response to Courtlandmcdonald

you need some sort of 48v phantom power supply as this is a condensor mic, hence it works on chaging voltage, as opposed to a dynamic mic which creates a voltage. My advice is to get some sort of pre/power supply that has a level control, as these mics can have very high outputs.

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Answer 3

sanjampet

Level 5

7,988 points

Jan 31, 2012 4:25 PM in response to Courtlandmcdonald

a condensr mic needs a contorol voltage... evr use aphone?

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Answer 4

Zyriab

Level 4

3,344 points

Jan 31, 2012 4:39 PM in response to Courtlandmcdonald

Looking at the specs for your mic here:

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/pam-music/ecm-ds70p/tab/technicalspecs#/Overview

it seems that it draws power from the device it's plugged into:

Plug-in power for compatible Sony recorders, requires no battery

As far as I know the microphone socket on the MBP delivers no power, and your Behringer box won't either if you're using a RCA adaptor cable. Have you tested this microphone on another device, preferably non-Sony?

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Answer 5

sanjampet

Level 5

7,988 points

Jan 31, 2012 4:44 PM in response to Zyriab

tthe MBP doses not have the voltage is required to provided for the cheeses mic discused. I have have usred this pile of junk and it stinks

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Answer 6

Jan 31, 2012 4:53 PM in response to Zyriab

Zyriab: Yes, Ive tried it on a GoPro Hero2 Camera and It works fine. I'll keep it for that and buy a usb mic for the Mac and try to figure out something to do with the Behringer Box.

Thanks for your help. I did talk to Sony and, not surprisingly, I knew more than the tech rep.

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Answer 7

sanjampet

Level 5

7,988 points

Jan 31, 2012 4:58 PM in response to Courtlandmcdonald

t sounds like junk, I would rather a telephone

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Answer 8

Zyriab

Level 4

3,344 points

Feb 1, 2012 10:36 AM in response to Courtlandmcdonald

Glad you got to the root of your problem. 🙂 I've also been looking at USB microphones and am considering this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S/ref=w l_it_dp_o_pd_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2CTU5Q76JN7AW&colid=CCYZRSRZM3G

I haven't actually tried it myself but it has a good reputation and gets very good reviews.

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Answer 9

Apr 13, 2012 1:27 PM in response to Zyriab

Re: Sony ECM-DS70P Condenser Stereo Microphone with a 3.5mm stereo male plug.

I got this to work with a $9 USB Stereo Adapter bought from Amazon:

Syba SD-CM-UAUD USB Stereo Audio Adapter, C-Media Chipset, RoHS

Reply

Answer 10

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Apr 13, 2012 2:17 PM in response to sanjampet

sanjampet wrote:

tthe MBP doses not have the voltage is required to provided for the cheeses mic discused. I have have usred this pile of junk and it stinks

What is your problem, the OP wants to use this and your idea of help is that partially English post above?

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Answer 11

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Apr 13, 2012 2:20 PM in response to Zyriab

Zyriab wrote:

Glad you got to the root of your problem. 🙂 I've also been looking at USB microphones and am considering this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S/ref=w l_it_dp_o_pd_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2CTU5Q76JN7AW&colid=CCYZRSRZM3G

I haven't actually tried it myself but it has a good reputation and gets very good reviews.

I have used many (most) of the Blue microphone range, especially the blueberry and the woodpecker (fabulous mic) these are xlr balanced rather than USB but the build quailty and diaphragm/enclosure design is first rate. Not quite Neumann standard but, not at all Neumann prices. Good choice.

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