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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sound-gear (Adapting) vintage stereo microphone with unknown connector type (?)
- Thread starter Ven
- Start date
Solution
The impedance transformer is a pretty important feature. I wouldn’t go the cheap route on this.
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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Excellent, thanks! 
Btw, I just found a service manual online of the 990 model with parts #'s and complete disassembly - very interesting! (Right-click and open images in new tab for full resolution)
Btw, I just found a service manual online of the 990 model with parts #'s and complete disassembly - very interesting! (Right-click and open images in new tab for full resolution)Excellent, thanks!
Excellent find! Still doesn’t say explicitly what that connector actually is, but the part number should be solid lead.
I got the microphone a few days ago, great condition. Got the adapters today, been troubleshooting for about 5 hours. I don't know if the Hosa XLR impedance transformers are both defective or not, but used with this microphone, the volume is very low and turning up the gain on-camera produces massive amounts of white noise and static with muffled audio.
Funnily enough, the 990f seems to work great with my Zoom H2N using the Hosa stereo 3.5mm adapter. Even with the gain turned to 10 on the H2N, the mic is clear with very little noise at all. The mic seems to work very well with the Beachtek, too, but I couldn't get the JVC camera to record audio, even though it seems to be receiving a signal for both channels.
Maybe for whatever reason, this microphone just won't agree with an XLR conversion, which is disappointing since spending $60+ for the transformers. My Panasonic HMC-150 refuses to recognize an XLR signal from this mic with the transformers at all - no noise, static or sign of anything. Haven't tested the mic with the Zoom H6 yet.
Looks like I may have to shop for another stereo mic to use directly in/on-camera. These aren't the results that I was hoping for. But I guess it is what it is.
Funnily enough, the 990f seems to work great with my Zoom H2N using the Hosa stereo 3.5mm adapter. Even with the gain turned to 10 on the H2N, the mic is clear with very little noise at all. The mic seems to work very well with the Beachtek, too, but I couldn't get the JVC camera to record audio, even though it seems to be receiving a signal for both channels.
Maybe for whatever reason, this microphone just won't agree with an XLR conversion, which is disappointing since spending $60+ for the transformers. My Panasonic HMC-150 refuses to recognize an XLR signal from this mic with the transformers at all - no noise, static or sign of anything. Haven't tested the mic with the Zoom H6 yet.
Looks like I may have to shop for another stereo mic to use directly in/on-camera. These aren't the results that I was hoping for. But I guess it is what it is.
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