Studio mic for my ft950

[M1CZZ]

Hi
I wanted to put a studio mic on my yaesu ft950.. is ok to use any studio mic and what the best way to wire it?? And could I use the mic plug for the PTT and audio in

Regards Daz M0CEJ

[KE3WD]

Depends upon the exact type of "studio mic" you intend to use.

A dynamic "studio mic" such as the venerable EV RE-20, would only need to be wired to the correct pins on the radio's mic plug. Another pair of wires can be brought out of the back of the same plug and attached to a separate push-to-talk switch of your choice.

However, if you intend to use one of the ubiquitous Condenser "studio mics" then you will also have to have a source for its needed 48-52VDC Phantom Power. A lot of hams who use these also purchase a small "home studio" mic mixer that has the Phantom Power circuit built in, such as the Behringer series of small mixers, or other brands. The output of these mixers is at Line Level audio and not Mic Level, so it is a good idea to place attenuation between its output and the mic input. This could be as simple as a 10K pot wired correctly as a voltage divider (outside pins of pot connect to mixer output, center and one side of outside pin goes to radio and then adjust the pot such that you don[t overdrive the rig and still have useful range of the mixer's Master Volume fader).

The FT 950 requires a Low Impedance mic - which is the most common impedance you'll find in new mics today.


73

[AC0FP]

I use a Behringer XM8500 with my ft-950. It wires up directly to the ft-950 microphone jack. I use the PTT output (RCA) on the back of the radio and a foot-switch.

"The Behringer XM8500 Microphone uses a cardioid pattern to focus on your voice while the integrated shock mount system reduces handling noise."

73,

fp

[KB0NDS]

Depends upon the exact type of "studio mic" you intend to use.

A dynamic "studio mic" such as the venerable EV RE-20, would only need to be wired to the correct pins on the radio's mic plug. Another pair of wires can be brought out of the back of the same plug and attached to a separate push-to-talk switch of your choice.

However, if you intend to use one of the ubiquitous Condenser "studio mics" then you will also have to have a source for its needed 48-52VDC Phantom Power. A lot of hams who use these also purchase a small "home studio" mic mixer that has the Phantom Power circuit built in, such as the Behringer series of small mixers, or other brands. The output of these mixers is at Line Level audio and not Mic Level, so it is a good idea to place attenuation between its output and the mic input. This could be as simple as a 10K pot wired correctly as a voltage divider (outside pins of pot connect to mixer output, center and one side of outside pin goes to radio and then adjust the pot such that you don[t overdrive the rig and still have useful range of the mixer's Master Volume fader).

The FT 950 requires a Low Impedance mic - which is the most common impedance you'll find in new mics today.


73

I have a brand new FT-950 and it requires a mic input impedance of 600 ohm.

[AC0FP]

I have a brand new FT-950 and it requires a mic input impedance of 600 ohm.

The 600 ohms specified is just a nominal value. The ft-950 will work just fine with any microphone impedance 600 ohms or lower.

fp

[KB0NDS]

The 600 ohms specified is just a nominal value. The ft-950 will work just fine with any microphone impedance 600 ohms or lower.

fp

I have a couple of different mics that are 300 ohm and none of them work. They sound horrible. I have the heil cable for the radio so I am not sure just where the problem lies.

[KB0NDS]

I have a couple of different mics that are 300 ohm and none of them work. They sound horrible. I have the heil cable for the radio so I am not sure just where the problem lies.

Ok after turning off all the processing and turning the gain down, The mics I have do work but they just really don't sound that good. In fact the stock hand mic sounds better. I was looking at the Heil PR-781 or the PR-40. They would HAVE to sound better that the ones I have.

[W0SGM]

Ok after turning off all the processing and turning the gain down, The mics I have do work but they just really don't sound that good. In fact the stock hand mic sounds better. I was looking at the Heil PR-781 or the PR-40. They would HAVE to sound better that the ones I have.

An Audio Technica ATR30 or the Behringer XM8500 mentioned above;a lot cheaper than the Heil's and sound just as good..even some el'cheapo RS mics sound pretty good.

[KB0NDS]

An Audio Technica ATR30 or the Behringer XM8500 mentioned above;a lot cheaper than the Heil's and sound just as good..even some el'cheapo RS mics sound pretty good.

Great, Thanks for the tip.

[AC0FP]

Ok after turning off all the processing and turning the gain down, The mics I have do work but they just really don't sound that good. In fact the stock hand mic sounds better. I was looking at the Heil PR-781 or the PR-40. They would HAVE to sound better that the ones I have.

Before using the Behringer XM8500 I measured the output of the standard hand microphone to insure the level out of the microphone was similar and compatible with the ft-950. The microphone gain on a ft-950 is adjustable but using the "seat of your pants" to do it is a lousy method!

fp