Do I need a DAC/ AMP for Primo EM272 mic?

[skam22]

Hi all,

I'm going to buy the EM272 mic capsules to connect to my smartphone. The mic requires 5v power to operate but I'm not sure if my phone (LG G8 thinq with quad dac) can provide 5v power to run the mic over it's 3.5mm jack.
Here's the mic datasheet.

https://micbooster.com/datasheets/EM272.pdf

Do you think I need a portable DAC to run this and what DAC do you recommend for under $200 USD?

 

[staticV3]

The mic requires 5v power

It doesn't. 1.5V is enough, lower still probably works too.

but I'm not sure if my phone (LG G8 thinq with quad dac) can provide 5v power to run the mic over it's 3.5mm jack.

It can't. Plug-in power will most likely be 1.7-2.3V on the G8's 3.5mm jack.
That's enough to power the EM272.

Do you think I need a portable DAC to run this and what DAC do you recommend for under $200 USD?

You don't.
Also, you can't plug a microphone into a DAC. A DAC turns digital into analog. You need something that turns analog into digital, an ADC.
Plus phantom power supply plus microphone preamp.
All of that is built into the G8's headset jack.

 

[skam22]

Thanks very much for the detailed response! I love it when I get response from people who have great knowledge of audio science.

 

[staticV3]

Make sure that whatever 3.5mm plug your EM272 is attached to has the correct pinout.
You want "① HOT" on the capsule connected to the sleeve of the 3.5mm plug and "② GND" connected to Ring 2

 

[skam22]

Make sure that whatever 3.5mm plug your EM272 is attached to has the correct pinout.
You want "① HOT" on the capsule connected to the sleeve of the 3.5mm plug and "② GND" connected to Ring 2
View attachment 231234 View attachment 231233

Sure! Thank you

 

[skam22]

Ok, I received the mic.
I have plugged it into my phone and recorded using multiple recording apps. The issue is that there is a hiss sound even when I lower the mic level on the apps to -20db. I need the recording to be detailed, clear and noise free.
I was thinking of getting Motu M2 but I'm not sure if I really need all the features. Maybe a simple HQ ADC with USB connection would be most suited for my needs. Do you think I should buy a dedicated USB preamp?

 

[staticV3]

Ah I see you have a Stereo Clippy.
I probably should've mentioned that phones, laptops, and headphone dongles can only record Mono, since they expect an inline headset microphone.

Do you need stereo recording?

 

[skam22]

Ah I see you have a Stereo Clippy.
I probably should've mentioned that phones, laptops, and headphone dongles can only record Mono, since they expect an inline headset microphone.

Do you need stereo recording?

Yes definitely stereo!

 

[staticV3]

Take a look at the Rode AI-Micro. Might fit the bill.

 

[skam22]

Take a look at the Rode AI-Micro. Might fit the bill.

I bought one today. Tested it using all the modes (split, merged and stereo) but unfortunately it only picks one of the microphones in stereo mode! I watched a video on YouTube that the guy successfully tested it with the rode stereo mic and it worked fine in stereo mode. I'll return it later today.

 

[staticV3]

You have to split the Pluggy Stereo's single 3.5mm plug into two Mono plugs for the AI-Micro

 

[skam22]

I used my ASR recorder app on my phone and it records in stereo so definitely the Rode Ai Micro os not recording in stereo when in stereo mode as claimed by the manufacturer.

 

[staticV3]

How did you plug the Pluggy Stereo into the AI-Micro?

 

[skam22]

Directly into channel 1 and changed the recording mode to stereo.

 

[staticV3]

You have a stereo microphone that does require plug-in power.
Therefore, you have to split the microphone's plug into two, plug both sides into the AI-Micro, and use the Split recording mode.

 

[skam22]

Hmmm, I thought the clippy doesn't requite much power to operate. I'll buy the splitter to test it out. Thanks for you help and prompt response.

 

[skam22]

I found this. Hosa Ymm 492 3.5mm trsf to dual ts. I hope it works.

 

[skam22]

I purchased the adaptor and plugged into the Rode Ai Micro and bingo! It works in stereo mode now! Thank you for recommending the Rode and adaptor.

 

[Occamsrazor]

Hi @skam22 - just curious are you still using this setup and what for? I was thinking of something similar into an iPhone as a portable field recorder.