DanvillRob Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I recently bought a Fender Passport 300 Pro system, and my old Shure 517SA mic's don't work with it. Any suggestions? The Shure mic's work fine through a guitar amp, but not the PA system. I've checked the spec's and they're VERY confusing!
jrplefty Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 Rob, I'm not a mic expert, but I read www.recording.org for all of my recording and live sound knowledge. It's a pretty knowledgeable group of musicians, home studio hobbyists, and professional audio engineers. I would think someone over there could help you start the troubleshooting process. Good luck Jeremy
SoonerBuckeye Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I believe that the Passport PA is low impedance and your guitar amp is high impedance. Is the Shure mic High Impedance with a 1/4" plug? I'm guessing that it is since it works with a guitar amp. Is there a switch on the individual channels of the PA to select "Line" or "Mic". Try switching to the "line option" on a channel and then plug in your Mic. Bob
EVOL! Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 My only thoughts: Do these mics use an XLR or 1/4" cable? If they use a 1/4" cable, make sure the jack on the PA head is mic level and not line level (for those that don't know, line level is several db less than mic because it is expecting a hotter input). Not sure if this PA has an option to switch it. One test would be to get a 1/4" to XLR converter to plug the mic into the XLR jack.
DanvillRob Posted January 2, 2012 Author Posted January 2, 2012 Well, thanks for all your input..... The mic's have the 1/4" jack, but I also have the 3-pin connector. When I use the 3-pin input, the mic's are very low, (which makes sense if the Passport is low impedance and the mic's are high..... I can try the switch back to the 1/4" phone jack and plug it into the "Line In" jack. I may have to spring for a couple of new mic's, (the Shure mic's are from the early 80's), but I don't want to buy the wrong wrong kind, or get too cheap a mic.
EVOL! Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 If you are looking for new vocal mics, please be sure to check out the Blue enCORE 100. I switched to that earlier this year from a Shure SM58 and could not be happier. I think the encore 100 is tighter, cleaner, hotter, and because of the pickup pattern I have less feedback.
Guest farnsbarns Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 Well, thanks for all your input..... The mic's have the 1/4" jack, but I also have the 3-pin connector. When I use the 3-pin input, the mic's are very low, (which makes sense if the Passport is low impedance and the mic's are high..... I can try the switch back to the 1/4" phone jack and plug it into the "Line In" jack. I may have to spring for a couple of new mic's, (the Shure mic's are from the early 80's), but I don't want to buy the wrong wrong kind, or get too cheap a mic. There's a huge advantage in signal quality when using XLR mics so some new mics would have added value too.
L5Larry Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I can try the switch back to the 1/4" phone jack and plug it into the "Line In" jack. Your "line in" jack is a "Line Level" input, which is still incompatible with your microphones 1/4" "Mic Level" signal. You can get a transformer adapter from somewhere like Radio Shack which will convert your 1/4" high-impedance mic to a XLR low-impedence mic, which will work in any XLR mic input, BUT..... It's probably really time to "upgrade" to a proper low impedance mic. Depending on your application, a used Shure SM-58 (vocals), or a used SM-57 (instruments) will only run you about $50. Either one can also be bought new for under $100.
DanvillRob Posted January 2, 2012 Author Posted January 2, 2012 Your "line in" jack is a "Line Level" input, which is still incompatible with your microphones 1/4" "Mic Level" signal. You can get a transformer adapter from somewhere like Radio Shack which will convert your 1/4" high-impedance mic to a XLR low-impedence mic, which will work in any XLR mic input, BUT..... It's probably really time to "upgrade" to a proper low impedance mic. Depending on your application, a used Shure SM-58 (vocals), or a used SM-57 (instruments) will only run you about $50. Either one can also be bought new for under $100. Thanks Larry..... would a compressor mic be of value to me?
L5Larry Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks Larry..... would a compressor mic be of value to me? I'm guessing you mean a "condenser" mic, and the short answer is NO. This type of mic requires an external power source to operate (phantom power from a mixing board, or battery power if designed to hold a battery). These type mics are generally used in professional recording studios, radio and TV stations. A brand name, quality built, tried and true "dynamic" mic is all most of us will ever need and will fit most any bill.
DanvillRob Posted January 3, 2012 Author Posted January 3, 2012 I'm guessing you mean a "condenser" mic, and the short answer is NO. This type of mic requires an external power source to operate (phantom power from a mixing board, or battery power if designed to hold a battery). These type mics are generally used in professional recording studios, radio and TV stations. A brand name, quality built, tried and true "dynamic" mic is all most of us will ever need and will fit most any bill. Thanks... you convinced me to get a couple of SM-58S's, (with a switch). They sound like a reasonable mic for a guy like me..... and I can semi-retire my old Shure mic's for the 80's!
L5Larry Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Thanks... you convinced me to get a couple of SM-58S's, (with a switch). Keep an eye on e-bay. I recently picked up two SM-58S mics for $60 apiece.
DanvillRob Posted January 3, 2012 Author Posted January 3, 2012 Keep an eye on e-bay. I recently picked up two SM-58S mics for $60 apiece. I already bought 'em for $94, ($4 for the switch! ) Since I tend to lay my lips on the mic at times, best to get new for me! Thanks.... you and the other guys really helped me out Bob
martinh Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 The 517 SA is the high impedance version. The 517SB was the low impedance version. http://www.shure.com/idc/groups/tech_pubs/@global_managed/documents/webcontent/us_pro_517sa_ug.pdf
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