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MOTU Ultralight and a cheap mic with a jack plug
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 1:14 am
by saschagabler
I have a Motu Ultralight. I know how to make recordings with a professional mic via one of the two XLR sockets, using some software like Audition (on Windows XP).
For the purposes of chatting on the internet (e.g., with Skype), I would like to use a cheap mic with a jack plug (or even one of those headsets with an attached mic, with two jack plugs, one for the mic, one for the phones). I know, this sounds quite easy but I could not get it to work.
Does anyone know what I have to do?
Many thanks for your help!
Re: MOTU Ultralight and a cheap mic with a jack plug
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 3:02 pm
by RonaldDumsfeld
What kind of microphone is it?
Dynamic mics don't require a power supply and will work.
Condenser mics need 48V power but will work fine.
Electret microphones such as you get in headsets, mobile phones etc need 5V power ( normally delivered via the 'Ring' on a stereo 1/8" jack).
The Ultralite does not support 5V so if this is indeed your problem you will need to find a way to provide it, use a different mic or use an interface that does.
Re: MOTU Ultralight and a cheap mic with a jack plug
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:12 am
by saschagabler
Hi!
Thanks for your answer and your help! It's a very cheap so-called "High Sensitive Microphone" (Trust Microphone MC-1200). - "High sensitive" is what Trust calls it. In my mini-manual it doesn't provide any more details about what type of mic it is. I only want to use it for chatting. I have a much better mic (with XLR connection) for proper recordings.
So am I correct in assuming that simply buying a jack-to-XLR adapter and connecting the MC-1200 to the MOTU Ultralight's MIC1 or MIC2 socket won't work (because of the lacking 5V) - neglecting that the adapter would cost more than the mic?
Re: MOTU Ultralight and a cheap mic with a jack plug
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:59 am
by RonaldDumsfeld
You could buy a stand for your XLR mic and use that.
Or buy an EMU 0202 or another interface which does have a 5V mic in.
Or go back to using the on board sound card with that mic.
Or find an independent method to supply 5V. Maybe with a battery.
Re: MOTU Ultralight and a cheap mic with a jack plug
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:55 am
by saschagabler
Thanks again for your help!