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[Nature Recordists] Digest Number 6442

To: "" <>
Subject: [Nature Recordists] Digest Number 6442
From: "" <>
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2015 08:09:54 +0000
There are 5 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1a. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?    
    From: Bengt Bäverman
1b. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?    
    From: Tim Bartlett
1c. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?    
    From:  madl74
1d. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?    
    From: Scott Fraser
1e. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?    
    From: Dan Dugan


Messages
________________________________________________________________________
1a. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?
    Posted by: "Bengt Bäverman"  bbaverman
    Date: Wed Aug 5, 2015 3:06 am ((PDT))

For this exact setup it doesn't matter as the whole cable is unbalanced due
to the 3.5mm connector being unbalanced, but for the future maybe an
XLR-XLR-cable will be more useful. That is if you want to get into higher
end equipment in the future.  And as you mention those cables are often
more robust. Though, is it a robust kit you need or a small and light kit
you need?

/Bengt




Messages in this topic (6)
________________________________________________________________________
1b. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?
    Posted by: "Tim Bartlett"  

    Date: Wed Aug 5, 2015 4:30 am ((PDT))

Fwiw – I have tried to extend a plug in power microphone before using a stereo 
3.5mm cable and it did not work – ended up having a lot of noise and hum.

 

Apparently plug in power over long cable lengths is not recommended. Have not 
had any issues with long XLR cables using phantom power.

 

Tim

 

 

From:  
 
Sent: 05 August 2015 11:06
To: 
Subject: [Nature Recordists] Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR 
or 3.5mm Stereo?

 

  

For this exact setup it doesn't matter as the whole cable is unbalanced due to 
the 3.5mm connector being unbalanced, but for the future maybe an XLR-XLR-cable 
will be more useful. That is if you want to get into higher end equipment in 
the future.  And as you mention those cables are often more robust. Though, is 
it a robust kit you need or a small and light kit you need?


/Bengt





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Messages in this topic (6)
________________________________________________________________________
1c. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?
    Posted by:   madl74
    Date: Wed Aug 5, 2015 5:47 am ((PDT))

I ran a long unbalanced pair of cables and got a local radio station as a 
bonus. :-) I also got mains hum from my 33KV electricity pole ground which I 
could measure with a meter. Part of the pickup was from the XLR shells 
touching the ground. 

With 3.5mm extension leads, theoretically these should be individually 
screened (usually fig-8 profile). 

Weight can be an issue, but if the long length is an extension lead, that's 
another pair of 3.5mm connectors to come loose or crackle. The trick is to 
tie an overhand knot over the junction which stops it pulling out. 

I solved the interference problem by making up a 
unbalanced/balanced-floating transformer box. Transformers are out of 
fashion but they work. 

David Brinicombe





Messages in this topic (6)
________________________________________________________________________
1d. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?
    Posted by: "Scott Fraser"  scottbfraser
    Date: Wed Aug 5, 2015 9:19 am ((PDT))

"I�m connecting my AT822 stereo mic to my Oly LS-10 and I want to get an 
extension cable so I can place the mic where I�d like and retreat to a safe 
distance. The mic cable is 5 pin XLR to 3.5 stereo. Would it be better to 
extend via the XLR or extend the 3.5mm stereo?"

Definitely the XLR.

"I�m thinking the XLR since it�s more robust and probably less susceptible to 
cable noise. "

XLR connectors are infinitely more robust than mini phone connectors. Noise 
rejection won't really figure into this, since the line is unbalanced at the 
mini plug end, but the XLR is a locking connector whose pins make much better 
electrical contact than the mini plug.

"Does it matter? "

The XLR connection is a much better electrical interface than any sort of phone 
plug, whether mini or 1/4".

"I�m looking at Hosa cables sold by B&H. Are there any others I should be 
looking at?"

I would recommend looking at any brand other than Hosa. It is cheap crap & has 
failed on me on more than one occasion in professional concert applications. 
Stick with Neutrik or Switchcraft connectors on Mogami, Canare, Gepco, or 
Belden cable & you will have a professional quality cable.

Scott Fraser



Messages in this topic (6)
________________________________________________________________________
1e. Re: Extension Cable for Mic - better to extend XLR or 3.5mm Stereo?
    Posted by: "Dan Dugan"  dandugan_1999
    Date: Wed Aug 5, 2015 10:51 pm ((PDT))

> Fwiw – I have tried to extend a plug in power microphone before using a 
> stereo 3.5mm cable and it did not work – ended up having a lot of noise and 
> hum.
>  
> Apparently plug in power over long cable lengths is not recommended. Have not 
> had any issues with long XLR cables using phantom power.

You must have had a wiring problem. My “light system” uses cables over 100’ for 
four channels of PIP mics and works perfectly.

-Dan




Messages in this topic (6)



"While a picture is worth a thousand words, a 
sound is worth a thousand pictures." R. Murray Schafer via Bernie Krause.



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