Eric Toline Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Hi Eric, Thanks for the reply. I do not have trouble with any other mics (or cables - since I've also used a CL-1 cable to send mono mixes through a bodypack tx to camera from my mixer.) With the OST mics, it only happens when the barrel connector (thanks for the term, I couldn't quite get it!) is locked down. It happens with all of my OST mics more or less. Once it's unscrewed partially or completely I can go nuts on the TRS jack, and the signal doesn't cut out. More often than not as soon as I lock it down, it cuts out again. Then you need to contact OST to return the mics for their inspection, repair, replacement or refund as the case may be. I've wired dozens of lavs & cables with the 3.5mm TRS locking connector and have never had that issue. Open the connector housing on one of the problem mics and see how clear the space is between the the positive solder tab and the shield/ground tab is. If there's a clear plastic cover over the tabs make sure it's not pushing against any of the tabs causing the shorting out you're experiencing. OTOH if you're really handy with a soldering iron you can get replacement connectors and wire those in to see if the problem stops but I would definately try to get satisfaction from OST first. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristotle_kumpis Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 What is the thickness of the TL-40 cable? It doesn't look as thin as the B6. More like a COS-11 cable. What's the cable noise like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 I had the same sort of issue with one of two TL-40s w/ 3.5 TRS connector. I notified Dave at OST and it was replaced w/o question. The other TL40 and the '802 trams' work w/o issue. FWIW, the OST mic cable has a close resemblance in color and size to the Sony ECM series lavs. (44, 55, 77s) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petros Kolyvas Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Then you need to contact OST to return the mics for their inspection, repair, replacement or refund as the case may be. I've wired dozens of lavs & cables with the 3.5mm TRS locking connector and have never had that issue. Open the connector housing on one of the problem mics and see how clear the space is between the the positive solder tab and the shield/ground tab is. If there's a clear plastic cover over the tabs make sure it's not pushing against any of the tabs causing the shorting out you're experiencing. OTOH if you're really handy with a soldering iron you can get replacement connectors and wire those in to see if the problem stops but I would definately try to get satisfaction from OST first. Eric Thanks Eric, I wrote them last night (very late) and will await their response. I have a soldering iron and have started making my own cables but my lack of skill and experience makes some jobs take so long it's often not worth it for me to do it unless I'm in a bind. Hopefully I'll improve with the DIY ribbon mic kit I received recently but have yet to tackle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 You should find, like others, that their attention to customer service at OST is excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 A warning for TL40 users who are trying to use the accessory clips: Do NOT force the cable into the "cable clip accessory", specifically I mean the rear clips that hold the "loop" in place. They are too small for the cable, do not flex enough, and will tear the jacket of the TL40 cable... it just happened to mine. I haven't even listened to the thing yet! Rats! Also, fyi: The metal mesh cap they sell IS the same cap that comes with COS-11s (explains the high price) though the TL40 seems a hair fatter in diameter so it doesn't fit very well. I suspect that the metal clip is also the same as the COS-11 spring clip (which works fine). I haven't contacted OST yet but so far they've been very responsive. The cable does feel great, I ordered some extra length just for curiosities sake. It's two conductor shielded. Not sure if it is twisted pair. Un-coils very straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petros Kolyvas Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 Follow up to my issue. Very responsive from OST, will return the mics for connector repair. No harm done. I still think they sound great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berniebeaudry Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 A warning for TL40 users who are trying to use the accessory clips: Do NOT force the cable into the "cable clip accessory", specifically I mean the rear clips that hold the "loop" in place. They are too small for the cable, do not flex enough, and will tear the jacket of the TL40 cable... it just happened to mine. I haven't even listened to the thing yet! Rats! Also, fyi: The metal mesh cap they sell IS the same cap that comes with COS-11s (explains the high price) though the TL40 seems a hair fatter in diameter so it doesn't fit very well. I suspect that the metal clip is also the same as the COS-11 spring clip (which works fine). I haven't contacted OST yet but so far they've been very responsive. The cable does feel great, I ordered some extra length just for curiosities sake. It's two conductor shielded. Not sure if it is twisted pair. Un-coils very straight. The cable goes between the two sets of what appears to be clips to hold the strain relief loop. I too thought the cable went into those clips but Oscar Sound Tech clued me in and it works really well if you do it the way its designed. Best, Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 Yeah, I figured that out only after I tore the wire.. Thanks though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan H. Chang Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 I do not know if the Sanken COS-11 mount will fit the TL40 but I hope it does. Hi Matt, it's confirmed and it fits nicely in an unmodified RM11. Not too tight nor loose. Easier to slip the TL40 through the RM11 than the COS11, go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasmus Wedin Posted February 26, 2011 Report Share Posted February 26, 2011 How does the OST801, Ost802 and Tl-40 mics mix with each other? Just looking at the graphs on their site they seem to have very different frequency response, but how do they compare to each other in real life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OscarL Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Have anybody tried them with Zaxcom systems? Not all lavs plays well with their digital systems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 I got the TL40 with a Lectrosonics TA5. It works great. I also use a TA5 male to locking mini ST male cable when I need to plug into a SennG3 and it works great. did you get the cable custom made or does someone sell them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 I do not know if the Sanken COS-11 mount will fit the TL40 but I hope it does. I can also recommend the DPA DMM0009 concealers, they should fit the TL40 or if not a narrow strip of moleskin inside the concealer will make the mic fit snugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 I am surprised I never had damaged any of my Sanken Cos11s in my crazy shooting environment. Maybe just lucky. But now I am thinking about buying some tl-40s. One thing that concerns me is the little dip in the high freqs. I would imagine there should be a bump instead of a dip to compensate for concealing under clothing... What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan H. Chang Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 I wouldn't worry too much about that frequency response chart. Side to side with a B6, mounting both outside of my dress shirt and underneath for cloth concealment, both are very alike. I am surprised I never had damaged any of my Sanken Cos11s in my crazy shooting environment. Maybe just lucky. But now I am thinking about buying some tl-40s. One thing that concerns me is the little dip in the high freqs. I would imagine there should be a bump instead of a dip to compensate for concealing under clothing... What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Nice... I wouldn't worry too much about that frequency response chart. Side to side with a B6, mounting both outside of my dress shirt and underneath for cloth concealment, both are very alike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan H. Chang Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 How does the OST801, Ost802 and Tl-40 mics mix with each other? Just looking at the graphs on their site they seem to have very different frequency response, but how do they compare to each other in real life? Back to this question. If you're planning on mounting outside for interviews and such when concealment isn't necessary, the 802 sounds great. Under clothing I suggest going with the 801 for the high-frequency loss. The TL40 fits both scenarios, though. Cable/handing noise on all these mics are less than their "competitors" except for the TL40/B6, the B6 is near silent. The TL40 also works wonderfully well when taped underneath the chin, on the forehead, or on the cheeks for other methods of recording. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 can you post a short sample of the TL 40 under a shirt and a pullover..... I mean a sweater? Back to this question. If you're planning on mounting outside for interviews and such when concealment isn't necessary, the 802 sounds great. Under clothing I suggest going with the 801 for the high-frequency loss. The TL40 fits both scenarios, though. Cable/handing noise on all these mics are less than their "competitors" except for the TL40/B6, the B6 is near silent. The TL40 also works wonderfully well when taped underneath the chin, on the forehead, or on the cheeks for other methods of recording. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I got my OSTs yesterday. An 802 wired for Lectro which works and sounds great and a TL-40 wired for Sennheiser, which has an issue similar to what Petros' posted earlier: When I lock down the connector, the signal cuts in and out - often depending on how I rotate the actual connector (not the locking ring). I have to loosen the locking ring to get the lavs to provide consistent signal. At first I thought it was simply and issue with the OST Preamp, where OST's advice was to simply not screw them down all the way. In my case, the signal cuts in and out all the time, very much so when I fiddle with the connector, and no matter whether I screw the connector tight or not. Now the ME2 mic that came with the G3 kit works just fine, so I'm not quite sure where the error is here. I plugged the TL-40 into the Mic In of my Olympus LS-5 handheld and here it works perfect, no matter how much I fiddle around the connector and capsule, so I thought the flaw must be in the bodypack, but then that works fine with the mic in the kit. Could it be that the jack on my G3 Tx is somewhat placed in a way that some connectors (not original Sennheisers) won't connect right? I'm just not sure whether to return the mic or the Tx for service. I already emailed to OST to see if they can advise me in any way. Your help and advice is very welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I got my OSTs yesterday. An 802 wired for Lectro which works and sounds great and a TL-40 wired for Sennheiser, which has an issue similar to what Petros' posted earlier: In my case, the signal cuts in and out all the time, very much so when I fiddle with the connector, and no matter whether I screw the connector tight or not. Now the ME2 mic that came with the G3 kit works just fine, so I'm not quite sure where the error is here. I plugged the TL-40 into the Mic In of my Olympus LS-5 handheld and here it works perfect, no matter how much I fiddle around the connector and capsule, so I thought the flaw must be in the bodypack, but then that works fine with the mic in the kit. Could it be that the jack on my G3 Tx is somewhat placed in a way that some connectors (not original Sennheisers) won't connect right? I'm just not sure whether to return the mic or the Tx for service. I already emailed to OST to see if they can advise me in any way. Your help and advice is very welcome! Try this: Unscrew the barrel on the mic connector and move it away from the plug. Plug the mic in, test the mic and report back. I do a lot of Sennheiser mic connector mods for the G2/3 and this one has me stumped. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 Try this: Unscrew the barrel on the mic connector and move it away from the plug. Plug the mic in, test the mic and report back. I do a lot of Sennheiser mic connector mods for the G2/3 and this one has me stumped. Eric Thanks Eric for the quick answer. Here's the thing: I can't unscrew the barrel. It's just very tight. Tried to hold the plug with pliers with some cloth wrapped around the plug soas not to damage it but the barrel sticks onto the plug and doesn't move. Is there a trick I don't get? By the way, I just got an answer from OST, they said it could be because the TL-40's gain is too high for a G3. Has anyone on here tried using TL-40s with G3s who could confirm this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 Thanks Eric for the quick answer. Here's the thing: I can't unscrew the barrel. It's just very tight. Tried to hold the plug with pliers with some cloth wrapped around the plug soas not to damage it but the barrel sticks onto the plug and doesn't move. Is there a trick I don't get? By the way, I just got an answer from OST, they said it could be because the TL-40's gain is too high for a G3. Has anyone on here tried using TL-40s with G3s who could confirm this? The gain thing is BS. Does your connector look like the one in the picture? There should be no reason for the barrel to be locked down so tight that it can't be removed unless it's cross threaded. I'd fix it for you if that's practical. Let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 Here's how to remove the barrel, wrap the barrel with tape and look at picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petros Kolyvas Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I finally sent my mics back to OST (all three). The very kind customer service agent said he thought they had an idea what was going on. I will report back when they are returned. Hopefully we can get this issue (we being us here on JWSound and OST together) sorted as the mics are very nice sounding for the price. Eric: Thanks for the pictures. I had no idea how to remove the barrel connector. Maybe it'll be less intimidating wiring the mics myself in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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