Microphone NOT WORKING

[Jurisdictionary]

PSR SX900 microphone input not working.
I have a Sony stereo lavalier mic with 1/8 inch plug and have tried both stereo and mono 1/4 inch adapters.
Nothing.
No sound plugging in and unplugging, even with gain all the way max. Surely that would at least "pop" or otherwise indicate the mic input is connected to the keyboard.
I don't want to send it back, but I find nothing on the internet from others with this problem.
The mic works fine when i plug it into other devices.

If you do not know the answer, please at least recommend a LAVALIER mic that works well, since I do not wish to set up a boom mic for performances and want my hands free while playing and singing.

... Frederick

[BogdanH]

hello Frederick,
It would help if you would tell what microphone exactly (model) are you using.
1. Did you try some other microphone on keyboard?
2. Is the switch in the back of keyboard set to MIC?
3. Did you change the GAIN in the back of keyboard? -by default it's set to MIN, which is actually silent
4. Is microphone turned on in keyboard (MIC SETTING button on panel)?

Bogdan

[Jurisdictionary]

Thank you.
The microphone is a Sony ECM-LV1 stereo lavalier.
The switch is set to mic.
The gain is all the way max.
And the green indicator in the display shows the mic is turned on, Bogdan.

I worry that the issue is that the mic has 1/8 stereo plug and that both my 1/4 inch stereo-to-stereo and 1/4 inch stereo-to-mono adapters are the problem.
Clearly, the microphone is working fine, as it performs well with other devices.

[MarkF_48]

I'm guessing it may be the Sony ECM-LV1(?). If so, it needs what is called 'plugin power' (typically 3-5 vdc) to be able to function. Your SX900 cannot provide plugin power, thus the microphone cannot work. Your other devices likely have plugin power (camera, camcorder, computer, etc).
The other thing is the SX900 microphone input is 'mono' and not a stereo input, so you would want a mic that is not stereo.

My own opinion is that a lavalier mic might not work to well to pickup your voice for the SX900. Others here that don't want to use a mic on a boom typically use a headset worn mic. I think the one linked below is mentioned here frequently. Others may have recommendations as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-WH20QTR-Dynamic-Headset-Microphone/dp/B0002F6OY4

[BogdanH]

@MarkF
Sony ECM_LV1 is electret condenser microphone. I'm not really familiar with this type of microphones... yes, "condenser" suggests that phantom power is needed, but "electret" means (permanent) power is already built-in and so no additional power is required -as far I can understand from internet.

Yes, I agree that stereo-to-mono jack adapter could be the problem here. The thing is, condenser microphones have preamp built in and we don't know how that preamp handles situation if L and R channel are simply wired into single channel (by jack adapter).
Personally, I would prefer mono microphone for solo singing.

Bogdan

[MarkF_48]

@MarkF
Sony ECM_LV1 is electret condenser microphone. I'm not really familiar with this type of microphones... yes, "condenser" suggests that phantom power is needed, but "electret" means (permanent) power is already built-in and so no additional power is required -as far I can understand from internet.

Yes, I agree that stereo-to-mono jack adapter could be the problem here. The thing is, condenser microphones have preamp built in and we don't know how that preamp handles situation if L and R channel are simply wired into single channel (by jack adapter).
Personally, I would prefer mono microphone for solo singing.

Bogdan

Yes, electret mic capsules have a 'permanent' charge, but have a very low output without amplification. The electrets that require plugin power will generally have an FET transistor or other means of amplifying the signal to boost the output to a level usable by the device it is plugged into, which is the case for the for the ECM-LV1.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[overover]

Yes, with an Electret condenser microphone, the bias voltage that a condenser microphone capsule (or rather the microphone diaphragm) normally needs is "frozen" so to speak. However, the built-in preamplifier/impedance converter still needs a power supply. In contrast to the well-known 48 V phantom power via an balanced XLR microphone input, such small microphones use what is known as "parallel powering" or "plug-in-power supply". Typical voltages here are 3, 5, 9, 12 or 15 V. Operation with 48 V phantom power would only be possible with an appropriate adapter.

In principle, in my opinion, such lavalier microphones are not particularly suitable for live singing in front of an audience. You will usually have problems with unwanted feedback, especially because the distance between the microphone and your mouth is relatively large.

I therefore recommend a dynamic headset microphone in this case. These are relatively inexpensive, do not require a power supply and the risk of feedback is minimal.


Best regards,
Chris

[BogdanH]

Yes, that makes sense, MarkF & Chris.
But Frederick said "The mic works fine when i plug it into other devices" -now the question is, what other devices?

Added:
I have watched some videos about this microphone and it seems that it does not require external power. However, as can be seen in video, a proper L/R splitter is required. In this case only L or R channel is actually used (not both).

Bogdan

[KurtAgain]

In the operating instructions for this microphone, Sony writes:

Using this unit
Connect the plug to the microphone jack
of a plug-in-power system recording device.

And

Power supply: Plug-in-power supply system

This microphone is simply not suitable for a PSR keyboard.

Kurt

[BogdanH]

You're right, Kurt.
It seems that some devices do provide that low power trough microphone connector.

Bogdan

[KurtAgain]

Two of my Sony digital cameras have these types of microphone jacks. Typically these jacks are labeled "Plug In Power".

There is a knowledge base article from Shure on the subject:
Difference between bias (plug-in power) and phantom power
https://service.shure.com/Service/s/article/difference-between-bias-plug-in-power-and-phantom-power?language=en_US

Kurt

[Jurisdictionary]

Thanks to Mark and all of you great people.
I went ahead and ordered the microphone/headset Mark recommended.
Thanks again to everyone!