Topic: SX700 condenser mic and recording songs/music

[Erujj]

Hi everyone.
Newbie here and my questions might sound absurd to experienced people on this forum.

So I recently purchased the SX700 and connected a semi broken garbage mic (that came for free with a karoke set). To my surprise it sounded reasonably well and I was able to sing live, apply effects like reverb etc as well as record directly to the wav file using just the mic and the keyboard.

This has encouraged me to look into condenser microphones and I am planning to go for the best value for money mic primarily for singing live and recording with simple effects.

The questions are;
1.Will a condenser mic work the same way as my karoke mic is working on the SX700; WITHOUT audio interface?
2. If yes the best best value for the money condenser mic in  your opinion
3. If NOT would you guys recommend a dynamic mic instead? Suggestions would be helpful

Thankyou in anticipation

[PhotoDoc05]

On page 100 of PSR-SX900 / SX700 Owner's manual :

NOTE   Make sure to use a conventional DYNAMIC microphone.

Picture shows the connector is a standard 1/4" phone plug.
It doesn't supply power for a condenser mic!

Sounds like you are using actually a DYNAMIC mic?

[DonM]

By all means get a dynamic mic, as you will need an external power supply if you use a condenser mic.
For a really good, but inexpensive mic, you might try Samson Q8.
My favorite mic is Sennheiser E945, but it's a little more money. 
Both those mics are Super Cardiod, which means they are very directional and will not easily feed back.
The Sennheiser has less handling noise. 
I have probably 20 mics laying around here and most of the modern ones, $100 and up, are very good.
P.S.  You will need a mic cable with a 1/4-inch jack on the male end, as the 700 does not have XLR input. 

[kampot]

it's a shame that mic input on PSR-SX900 isn't even an XLR

[DonM]

As an update to my recommendation, I recently acquired a Samson Q8X.  It has been much improved in the handling noise.  In fact it is now on a par with the Sennheiser, and a lot less money.  I highly recommend it.

[LaHawk]

As an update to my recommendation, I recently acquired a Samson G8X.  It has been much improved in the handling noise.  In fact it is now on a par with the Sennheiser, and a lot less money.  I highly recommend it.

Don, did you mean the  Q8x ?

[DonM]

Don, did you mean the  Q8x ?

Yes, typo.  I'll fix it.  Thanks!

[kampot]

what kind of cables to you guys use to connect XLR mic to SX900's 1/4" input ?

[overover]

what kind of cables to you guys use to connect XLR mic to SX900's 1/4" input ?

Hi kampot,

the Mic Input jack of the SX900 is an unbalanced TS jack.

To connect a Mic that has an XLR connector you have to use the following cable:

XLR female plug to 6.3 mm TS ("Mono") plug   (see attached picture)

Important:
• The XLR pins 1 (= Ground/Shield) and 3 ( = minus Phase of the Signal, also called "cold") must be bridged (either inside the XLR plug OR inside the TS plug) and connected to the SLEEVE contact of the TS plug
• The XLR pin 2 (plus Phase of the Signal, also called "hot") must be connected to the TIP contact of the TS plug.

• Alternatively you can use a balanced "XLR to 6.3 mm TRS plug" cable. But this cable MUST be modified: Either the XLR pins 1 and 3 of the XLR female plug OR the RING and SLEEVE contacts of the TRS plug MUST be bridged (to get an UNBALANCED wiring, as mentioned before).


Best regards,
Chris

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[Mike_Fox]

An old post, but for future reference, condenser mics need external power, such as an audio interface, they need a current to charge the plates, or the newer cheap ones use usb power, hope this helps.