I connect the condenser mic to line 1 or line 2 mic/line inputs but do
not get any sound.
I can only get sound when using this an external phantom power supply.


This mic works fine if I don't plug it into the firewire 410 and plug
it into the external power supply and into a audigy sound card.

This is the second 410 that I tried using with this mic. M-audio sent
me a new one but I get the same problem. I tried it with my g4
powerbook, my 3Ghz HT Gateway laptop and my AMD 2Ghz desktop.

Yung Saint wrote:
I connect the condenser mic to line 1 or line 2 mic/line inputs but do
not get any sound.
I can only get sound when using this an external phantom power supply.

Several M-Audio products don't provide the full 48 volts on their
phantom power. (typically 30-40V)

And there are some mics which won't work unless the phantom is full
spec. The MXL990 specifies 48V +/- 4V so if your phantom voltage is less
than 44 it may well not work.

--
Anahata
-+- http://www.treewind.co.uk
Home: 01638 720444 Mob: 07976 263827

Yung Saint wrote:
I connect the condenser mic to line 1 or line 2 mic/line inputs but do
not get any sound.
I can only get sound when using this an external phantom power supply.

While it's not stated on the web site, I suspect that since the 410 is
at the bottom of the M-Audio line and is powered from the Firewire bus,
it may not have a 48V DC-DC converter in it, and its phantom voltage is
30 volts or less. This is probably not enough for your MXL mic.

Got a voltmeter? With the phantom power switched on, measure the
voltage between pins 1-2 or 1-3 on the mic connector. You can buy a
good enough voltmeter at Radio Shack pretty cheap, and return it if you
don't want to own such a fine piece of test equipment.

Or maybe somebody else who has a Firewire 410 and a voltmeter will do
it for you, and then we'll all know.

I connect the condenser mic to line 1 or line 2 mic/line inputs but
do
not get any sound.
I can only get sound when using this an external phantom power supply.

You should at least get some sound. Neumann mics specifically "don't
work" at less than 48volts, but you get signal, just no headroom. I
suspect there is a wiring issue here, like an unbalanced cable in use.
I think those M-Audio boxes have Neutrik combo connectors, which should
be wired such that the TRS contacts DON'T carry Phantom power, even
though they're parallel with the XLR contacts. You're not using an XLR
-TRS cable on that mic are you?

Scott Fraser

[chris319]

Or maybe somebody else who has a Firewire 410 and a voltmeter will do
it for you, and then we'll all know.

I have both and my Firewire 410 delivers 48.2 volts on pins 2 and 3. YMMV.