Hi,
The early versions on the Neumann U87 were available as a battery powered unit
that could be specified with either T power or the now more standard 48v
phantom. This was back in the day that consoles did not have phantom in them. I
have an external PSU that was used at a decca studio in london before they had
their Neve modified for phantom (this was done by their in house technical
engineer, ah the good old days).
Now of course the above is true of the first transistor versions and not the
valve (tube) based generation prior to this. They really only can have their
own PSU's because of the variation of valve types involved.
There are many battery powered mics available these days but very few (if any)
that actually use the battery to bias the capsule. They are often used in
prepolarised electret type capsules. The battery serves to power the internal
amplifier stages.
I completely agree with your comments about components not being so specialized
in those days. Even today the audiophile market is using cabling that might
only be found in the very very highest end studios. In the studio complex I did
most of my learning it we had 5 control rooms and about 75 miles cable. So you
can see where you might end up choosing a cheaper cable because of scale.
Dan.
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Pearce <bspearce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, August 25, 2003 9:27 am
Subject: [OM] [Exceptionally OT] Condensor mikes
> Moose,
>
> Actually, battery powered condensor mikes are a relatively new
> thing. Those
> of us that were fortunate to have worked with older large diaphragm
> condensors will remember the large boxes and heavy cords that were
> required.These mikes (I used a Newmannin the sixties, and yes, we
> were still using
> mono) were, as our friends across the pond say, mains powered. The
> box had a
> cannon connector on the output end, and on the other, a larger
> connector for
> the cable to the mike. If memory serves, a quite high voltage was
> sent from
> the power supply. All the great recordings from the fifties and
> sixties used
> at least some of these.
>
> Later, I was able to use some phantom powered Newmanns that were
> quite good,
> as well.
>
> Battery powered mikes were the result of semiconductor advances, that
> allowed lower PS voltages. I think the earliest ones were FET, but
> there is
> probably someone more electronically aware that can explain this.
>
> The irony of all of this for me is that of all the older
> recordings that are
> valued by the audiophiles [I was once one, but age is working
> against me],
> all were made with equipment that would never stand up to their
> standards in
> their homes. Cables, for example, were made of wire then, just
> plain wire
> with just plain insulation. Condensor mikes were powered with
> relativelyordinary power supplies. Tape was pretty primative then,
> as were the
> machines that used it. No trick parts in the mixers, just plain
> stuff from
> the parts house, pretty much the same as those inside your Zenith TV.
>
> Bill Pearce
>
>
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