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Re: Cable adapter question - answer

Subject: Re: Cable adapter question - answer
From: "John Hartog" hartogj
Date: Wed Apr 8, 2009 9:39 am ((PDT))
Thanks, Dan, Phil, John and others.

Ok, I will not connect 3 and 1 together to the shield.

Maybe I should elaborate a little more on the specific application.
For outlasting the two HiMD recorders I owned, I still use my old Sony MZ-N=
707 MD recorder for nature recording with PIP mics. The n707 has only analo=
g output via the 3.5mm headphone jack.  Because I question the quality of i=
nputs the audio interface to my computer, I would rather use the inputs on =
my SD702 which are almost certainly a couple good steps up in quality.

The only line inputs on the SD702 are the xlr female inputs switchable from=
 mic to line. So we are talking about hardware to hardware, unbalanced to b=
alanced.

Referring to the Rane webpage John Tudor pointed to,
http://www.rane.com/note110.html

The closest diagram I think would be number 13 but modified for stereo. So =
in in words,  3.5 tip to left xlr 2, 3.5 ring to right xlr 2, 3.5 sleeve to=
 left and right xlr 3, and xlr 1 to the cable shield which is not connected=
 to the 3.5 connector.

Would that be the best configuration?

John

--- In  Dan Dugan <> wrote:
>
> >> While this diagram is generally true I think it should be explained =

> >> that this type of wiring would not be correct for Actively Balanced =

> >> outputs.
> >>
> > My understanding is that the shield is left off to avoid ground
> > loops and hum etc. (I could be wrong though) and since a microphone =

> > is basically a 'floating' device (ie it's at the end of the line)
> > hum and ground loops are not a problem.
>
> Please do connect the shield.
>
> > I think the article cited is in relation to interconnects between
> > hardware.
>
> The question of whether to connect an output's pin 3 to ground or not =

> depends on what the source is. I would always do it for a mic. For a
> preamp's output, see the manufacturer's instructions. A transformer
> output: must connect pin 3 to ground. An active balanced output:
> depends on the design, read the manual!
>
> -Dan Dugan
>








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