Has anyone had any experience recording with an external microphone direct into the Line-in on the OP-1?
I tried to tonight, but didn’t have any luck. Admittedly, it was only a cheap mic (Behringer XM8500), but it has Phantom Power, and I checked it was working by trying it out on a laptop too - no problems there.
When I plug it into the OP-1 line in with an xlr to 3.5mm lead, the OP-1 obviously recognises that there’s an additional line plugged in because the symbol changes to a jack plug when you go to the mic input function select. And I can even generate a tiny amount of noise (only a little electrical squiggle) by running my finger over the head of the mic, so it’s picking something up.
But as far as it actually picking up any real external sound / vocal up, I’m getting nothing, even with the input level turned way up.
Has anyone else had this problem? And is it possible I need a preamp even though the mic has Phantom Power?
The OP-1 does not deliver Phantom Power on its line-in input. You need to use a preamp or a mixer which delivers Phantom Power to drive your mic. I hope this answer helps you.
Will any microphone that does not rely on the output jack supplying power work? In other words: if I buy ANY microphone with a normal 3.5mm TRS plug with it’s own power source will it work as a microphone?
People have mentioned recording devices like Zoom H1 or 2..plugged into OP1.
I wrote it in another thread but for the readability… “The H2n Line Out is a stereo ⅛” phone jack with dedicated volume control. Headphones can be connected to this jack for private monitoring of the input or recorded signal." click
So I personally think something like this is the best solution since you are also able to record more than 6 or 12 seconds. Especially if you are into field recording. Record whatever you want and rerecord it to the Op1.
I have a H2n and it’s a decent battery-powered solution, so great for sketching on the go. But even if the mic’s pretty good, it’s not even close to a proper large-condenser mic, even a cheapo Thomann one like the T.BONE SC400 (which I also have). But for that, you need phantom power and a pre-amp/mixer. So not dissing the Zooms, I’m a happy owner, but just reminding that they are not a proper replacement for the real thing…
For me, I’ve never really dipped into the world of plugging a mic into the Op-1 because of that kind of weird digital churning noise you get whenever you record through the line in. However, I do have a Zoom H5 and really love that thing. It’s great to record a stereo field recording into left and right files (which you can do on the H5) and then transfer those to the Op-1 the tedious way (with a computer) and carry on working in the op-1.
I recently picked up the H5 and I can’t get enough of it. It’s got decent mic pres, phantom power, plug-in power, and also different flavors of compression and limiting on the inputs. It can essentially be a 4-track recorder. Useful in so many ways. Haven’t tried it, but you could totally plug that sucker right into the OP-1 input and use it as a mic.
