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sound-gear (Adapting) vintage stereo microphone with unknown connector type (?)

Ven

Ven

I'm just browsing for potential buys online - can anyone identify this connector? It sort of looks like XLR, but I don't know, the image isn't very good quality. Also, there's another cable with dual 1/4 stereo connectors (left/right channels). I believe this cable was used to for tape decks of the time. Are there any simple adapters I could buy/easy methods to convert either of these cable types to use with a more conventional XLR connection or even 3.5mm or would dealing with this be too much hassle?
 

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Solution
AcousticAl
Ven said:
Sorry about that, I forgot to mention that the microphone is Sony ECM-990F.
Click to expand...

That's the missing piece! Okay, I still cannot find any information on the "Sony connector", but I did look up the operation manual and look over the specs, which gave me some helpful information. Here's a direct link to the Operation Manaul: LINK

This is a stereo mic that was made to go with a Sony portable cassette recorder. Even without a part number on the connector, here's what you need to know:

This is a 3-pin connector on a stereo mic, and the cable terminates the other end with dual 1/4" TS (tip-sleeve) connectors. These are unbalanced connections. A digital multimeter will tell you how the pinout is wired, but essentially you have a pin...
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Ven said:
Oh, I think I understand, thank you. Yeah, I suppose I can still try it, I mean since I need to buy 2 of them anyway for using directly into the camera. What about using one of those cheap non-transformer 1/4 to XLR adapters? Is that more likely to cause less problems with that setup or worse?
Click to expand...

The impedance transformer is a pretty important feature. I wouldn’t go the cheap route on this.

Ven said:
I don't have to use that setup, but it would be much easier to control the audio levels on-the-fly with the bigger dials, and figured the pre-amp would help with any low volume the mic may have. (that thought comes from people online claiming these back electret mics can "lose their charge" over time, affecting volume levels - not sur how true it is - suppose I was just being a bit precautionary about it)
I would be mainly using a JVC GY-HM150. (Specs. info)
Click to expand...

Your camera also has pre-amps that are as good as, if not a little better than, what’s in the Beachtek. As for level control, as long as you gain stage properly and leave yourself enough headroom, you should be fine.
 
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