Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

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Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by pedrohead » Thu Apr 11, 2019 10:30 am

Kind of an oddball question, but I'm looking for a compact interface that I can plug a condenser mic into, power with phantom power, and listen to the output with a headphone jack/volume knob. It's admittedly not for recording, and I'm having a tough time finding something to fit the bill.

I had looked at the Behringer UMC22, and it does just what I need, but only powers when the USB is connected to a PC. You can't even put an AC adapter on the USB cable (like from your iPhone) and power it off of a wall outlet.

Similarly, I looked at the iRig PRE, but it has to be hooked up to a smartphone for the audio to be routed to the headphone jack.

I would think this would be something easy and cheap to find, but not having luck. Any ideas? Thx.

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by Colorblind » Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:50 pm

Couldn’t you just use a little mixer like a Behringer XENYX 1002?

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by Magnetic Services » Thu Apr 11, 2019 3:26 pm

Anything by Sound Devices

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by I'm Painting Again » Thu Apr 11, 2019 3:54 pm

BeachTek DXA-SLR Dual XLR Audio Adapter with Built-in Preamplifiers and Phantom Power for DSLR Cameras with Mic Jack

or

Marantz Professional PMD-602A 2-Channel DSLR Audio Interface

something like these should work - people use them to get good audio into DSLR cameras

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by vvv » Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:52 pm

I'm not a fanboy - I swear - but I have the Zoom H2 and the R16 and either would work.

The mini-recorders like the H2 should be available for under US$100 used and some have phantom power but AFAIK all have built-in condensors and also mic-ins.
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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by Nick Sevilla » Fri Apr 12, 2019 10:26 pm

Once upon a time,

There were these square devices called "consoles". These are what you want to get.

To-Day, they even sell some with a digital interface to computers, in case you
do end up wanting to record. But that interface is not needed to run the "console" by itself.

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by emrr » Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:52 am

Some version of a Whirlwind Cuebox?
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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by eh91311 » Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:07 pm

Colorblind wrote:
Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:50 pm
Couldn’t you just use a little mixer like a Behringer XENYX 1002?
I would think the Behringer XENYX 802 mixer would be even smaller, less expensive & work well, although not sure if it supplies a real +48v phantom power.

BTW. this thread starter posted the same question
on Gearslutz, he/she should have a definitive answer by now.

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by drumsound » Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:39 am

Magnetic Services wrote:
Thu Apr 11, 2019 3:26 pm
Anything by Sound Devices
These are really nice boxes for a bit of time I messed with one for a local university.

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by I'm Painting Again » Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:52 am

sound devices are kind of a new standard in portable audio - they're today's Nagra basically -great sound great build - but you definitely pay for it

OP wants something

cheap
headphone out with volume control
easily accessible to purchase
maybe 48v power (if the mics they want to use require it)
and then the mysterious part
"not admittedly for recording"

what exactly do you need to do ?

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by eh91311 » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:53 pm

I'm Painting Again wrote:
Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:52 am

OP wants something

cheap
headphone out with volume control
easily accessible to purchase
maybe 48v power (if the mics they want to use require it)
and then the mysterious part
"not admittedly for recording"

what exactly do you need to do ?
My understanding is that the thread starter wants a small mixer with phantom power in order to plug in a condenser mic and monitor themselves through headphones.

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by eh91311 » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:53 pm

deleted double post.

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Re: Compact recording/preamp interface that doesn't require a computer hooked up to run?

Post by I'm Painting Again » Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:31 pm

seems like they don't need to mix anything - though a mixer would work as a solution for sure

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