9volt batteries for PZM's

rbprod · 15th August 2006, 01:05 AM

i just picked up a couple "Realistic" PZM's and remember hearing something about replacing the AA battery with a 9 volt. it supposedly ups the output and increases the frequency responce...

Any one have knowledge of or expirence with this?

thanks in advance
Richard Bryant
rbprod@redshift.com

max cooper · 15th August 2006, 01:23 AM

The ones I used to get back in the day had "AA" cells in them. We used to double the number of AA's.

Here's some stuff:

http://www.celestial.com.au/~rosswoo.../PZM%20Mod.PDF

rbprod · 15th August 2006, 04:36 PM

thanks guys for the info.
I will try the phantom power route,either the kit or the mod on the battery enclosure.

this is a great list!!!

Thanks again

Richard Bryant
rbprod@redshift.com

chrisp2u · 16th August 2006, 05:05 AM

I did this a long time ago with a pair of Realistic PZMS's that I had around. Basically, I replaced the single AA that they normally used with 2 smaller, higher power batteries that fit in the same space... no mod'ing... can't remember what they were off hand, but it made a big difference (at least it seemed to... I was young and probably drunk). I know I still have them around somewhere... I'll see if I can find them. One of the mics was the 33-1090 with 1/4" plug, and the other was an older version with balanced XLR.
---
c

chrisp2u · 16th August 2006, 03:38 PM

Just checked... the batteries I had used were 2 little Duracell 6 volts in place of the AA. I believe they're typically for photo/camera use... so who knows if they even make them still.
---
c

gregl · 16th August 2006, 06:49 PM

A nine volt battery works great. There are additional mods that will improve things also. Unfortunately I did mine 20 years ago and would have to open up the box and check. I do remeber its transformer coupled. Anyways these are capable of incredibly clear transparent high frequencies.

Sugarnutz · 16th August 2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

Just checked... the batteries I had used were 2 little Duracell 6 volts in place of the AA. I believe they're typically for photo/camera use... so who knows if they even make them still.
---
c

We used them and I think the # is eveready 544A or A544. There was also a lithium version that replaced the A with a L. The original manual from RS suggested the usage of these batteries for increased performance. The bateries are the same diameter as a AA, but half the length, they were also rated
@ 6v each. Headroom went through the roof with these batteries as I ended up using them mostly inside the kick drum and they sounded great.

**Jules** · 16th August 2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max cooper

The ones I used to get back in the day had "AA" cells in them. We used to double the number of AA's.

Here's some stuff:

http://www.celestial.com.au/~rosswoo.../PZM%20Mod.PDF

I've been looking for that for years! Thanks for posting it.

What you CAN do is buy special camera batteries that are HALF AA size.. (but the same power) and put TWO of those in ........ it sorta DOUBLE powers it..

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15th August 2006, 01:05 AM	#1
rbprod Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Montery,CA Posts: 2	9volt batteries for PZM's i just picked up a couple "Realistic" PZM's and remember hearing something about replacing the AA battery with a 9 volt. it supposedly ups the output and increases the frequency responce... Any one have knowledge of or expirence with this? thanks in advance Richard Bryant rbprod@redshift.com

15th August 2006, 04:36 PM	#3
rbprod Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Montery,CA Posts: 2	Thanks for the info!! thanks guys for the info. I will try the phantom power route,either the kit or the mod on the battery enclosure. this is a great list!!! Thanks again Richard Bryant rbprod@redshift.com

16th August 2006, 06:49 PM	#6
gregl Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 285	A nine volt battery works great. There are additional mods that will improve things also. Unfortunately I did mine 20 years ago and would have to open up the box and check. I do remeber its transformer coupled. Anyways these are capable of incredibly clear transparent high frequencies. __________________ Greg

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15th August 2006, 01:23 AM	#2
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,819	The ones I used to get back in the day had "AA" cells in them. We used to double the number of AA's. Here's some stuff: http://www.celestial.com.au/~rosswoo.../PZM%20Mod.PDF

16th August 2006, 05:05 AM	#4
chrisp2u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 552	I did this a long time ago with a pair of Realistic PZMS's that I had around. Basically, I replaced the single AA that they normally used with 2 smaller, higher power batteries that fit in the same space... no mod'ing... can't remember what they were off hand, but it made a big difference (at least it seemed to... I was young and probably drunk). I know I still have them around somewhere... I'll see if I can find them. One of the mics was the 33-1090 with 1/4" plug, and the other was an older version with balanced XLR. --- c

16th August 2006, 03:38 PM	#5
chrisp2u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 552	Just checked... the batteries I had used were 2 little Duracell 6 volts in place of the AA. I believe they're typically for photo/camera use... so who knows if they even make them still. --- c