KA6 and two condenser mics = PROBLEM..

Hi Everybody,
Could not find same problem in other posts, so here comes my case:
Brand new KA6, working perfect. So far.
Today I tried my first recording with my favorite pair of condenser mics (a RODE NT2A and a RODE M3).
And (surprise, surprise)... if I plug them in one at a time, all is OK, brilliant
recording. However, plugging them together actually kills one of them (as a rule - the NT2A). Unplugging the M3 brings back to life the NT2A. Both inputs gain is max, phantom power of course is on. I am really getting nervous... any ideas?
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Yavor

 

Well, all is clear now.
KA6 is constructed in such a way that it cannot power two condenser mics simultaneously, especially if one of them is with a large diaphragm. That is a fact.
Given this should be a premium product and costs 300EUR, my comment to NI is: way to go!
I had to buy an extra separate phantom power charger for my second mic. That solved the problem.
Now comes my second question:
There seems to be no way to get a signal from inputs 3-4 to headphones / monitor. Both (headphones and monitor) have LED's for inputs 3-4. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Cheers

 

hmm,
i thought it could but IIRC when i tried i got the same results..ie nothing..
I will try again and report back!..

---
ok..

RTFM works here...

The KA6 is not wired up as you might think.. or indeed as i thought..lol, so in fact the 3,4 never refers to inputs 3,4 but only to outputs.

The MONITOR seems to only monitor inputs 1,2 and the switch between 1,2 and 3,4 is to direct the monitor output either you OUT 1,2 or OUT 3,4 not select the monitor input.

the HEADPHONES select between outputs 1,2 and 3,4

The ability to monitor inputs 3,4 are GREATLY desired...

 

Wow,
Bizarre logic... I mean the 1,2,3,4 input-output mess
Anyway, nice to hear I am not as stupid as I thought in the beginning
I have send a mail to technical support re: 2 condenser mics, anxious to hear their story will keep in touch.

 

I just tried a quick test and my KA6 powers my two AKG C4000B microphones at the same time just fine.

I am wondering whether perhaps you have it plugged into a USB port that doesn't supply enough current? If you have a powered USB hub handy, you might try powering the KA6 through that and see if it makes a difference.

 

Thank you Andrew, this is a good point, worth to check. Allthough I am not very optimistic, I will try with a hub. Probably it also is related to energy consumption per mic type. The NT2A (I have been told) sucks quite some power...

 

Any response from NI? I'm having the same problem with 2 clip on DPA mics...
Have you tried the powered hub?

 

that!

 

This is very irritating. Zero response from support and no information on why the unit is incapable of powering more than 1 mic. Arggh.

 

Just found this thread while googling for the exact same problem. Komplete Audio 6 can´t provide enough phantom power to my two AT4040 (large d. condensers) at the same time.

I tried:
-Different USB ports
-Different computers
-Different USB cables
-External powered USB HUB

Nothing worked. I´m glad that I found this topic because now I know that if I buy an external phantom power I will work this thing out. But still, it´s a shame that Native Instruments sell the product without warning the costumer.

 

Hi Mindmunch,

Giving credit to NI Support: I received a very polite mail, with a proposition to get a replacement (supposedly the problem was with my device).

Well, I never replied, as:

1) I have played in the shop for a couple of hours with THREE brand-new-out-of-the-box KA6's and they all behave in the same way, and
2) KA6 is NOT able to provide simultaneous phantom power to two condenser mics, if one of them is with large diaphragm. Fullstop !

Given the other really wonderful assets of KA6, overall I am a very happy owner, but, I beileve it is a shame to construct such a high-priced item with such a simple and irritating problem !

 

I think this is more an issue of the limitations of powering it via USB(max. 5V) than any inherent problem with the interface. Have you compared it with say a Saffire 6 USB or other USB powered interface?

 

I don't think so.
I have used several audio interfaces before the KA6 (E-MU Tracker Pre being one of them for example), and the KA6 is the first one unable to provide power to both mics.

 

Such is the nature of this beast - a bus powered interface with no DC power source required.

Adds convenience as you can use it with a laptop and avoid power cables altogether: just one USB cable with everything running off the laptop battery, but with limitations on the mics.

Edit: Can't the Rode M3 take an AA battery?

 

Actually yes, the M3 can work on battery power, but that does not seem to help, plugging the NT2A in "kills" the KA6.

Once again, that has nothing to do with USB power limitations, the E-MU I was using before the KA6 is with almost the same specs, just a portable sound card, USB powered, with two phantom powered microphone inputs. It worked flawlessly with the two RODE's.

 

I won´t return the interface either. Besides this flaw it´s a very solid portable interface with awesome features. I just ordered an external phantom power supply that should fix the issue. I just posted here so NI could acknowledge the problem and fix it on next interfaces, and to help current users that are puzzled with the issue.

About the whole USB 5v thing, two users from another board were kind enough to explain me what happens:

It seems that the biggest mistake wasn´t even putting a 48v on the unit, but not giving the option to plug it on the wall outlet if needed.

 

Thank you for this thread! I've been going crazy trying to get my Audio Technica 2035 to work with Mouth, and all this time, I thought it was a routing problem... researched aggregate devices,
etc, etc. I'm hoping it really is just a hardware problem and I either get a KA6 replacement, or buy the external phantom power. A real shame. NI marketing is so slick, but can be such a pain once you get down to making music.