[SOLVED] Microphone: Why dynamic/passive modes?

[yetanotherlogin]

Hello,

I bought a Boya BY-M1 microphone.

It has two modes: OFF for use with a smartphone, and ON for use with a DSLR, Camcorder, Audio recorder, etc.

Why the two modes?

Thank you.

[Cornucopia]

Plug-in power, most likely. It is a condenser mic and those require some sort of power (to charge the capacitors. Btw condenser = Brit capacitor).

Scott

[yetanotherlogin]

But why does it need power when plugged into a camera, but not when plugged into a smartphone ?

[Marsia Mariner]

Just a possibility... that page or/and the user-manual was/were written by an idiot.

[yetanotherlogin]

The microphone does hold a battery, has two positions ON/OFF, and insists that the OFF must be used when using a smartphone while the ON position must be used with a DSLR, etc.

[raffriff42]

It appears the Android 3.5mm jack applies a voltage across the mic, to power it and also certain control switches:
https://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/334540-galaxy-s4-headset-mic-butto...ic-pinout.html


[Attachment 44969 - Click to enlarge]

Your manual is telling you then, not to use the battery when it's not needed.

[yetanotherlogin]

Makes sense. Thx!

[raffriff42]

The word for it is "plug-in power." (it was new to me also)
https://www.google.com/search?q=plug-in+power

There's no reason (that I can think of) a mic can't sense this voltage and disable its own battery.

[yetanotherlogin]

Maybe because it's just a sub-$€£20 thingie.

[raffriff42]

LOL, I didn't want to say it...

[yetanotherlogin]

I tried it yesterday while riding a bicycle, and it worked fine with no noticeable wind noise, so it's good enough for this need.

As for the ON/OFF: Maybe cameras don't provide power, unlike smartphones, which would explain why they insist it should be turned ON with DSLR, cameras, etc.