Topic: 5 Pin XLR> 1 Canare Quad cable> 2 XLR's *sharing the ground*

[cleantone]

So I have an Audio Technica 825 that uses a 5 pin breakout cable. The supplied cable is long. I want to make a short on to use with my video camera. I have a 5 pin connector, some Canare star quad cable, and some other connectors. The 5 pin has +, -, +, -, and ground. The star quad cable has the same. I thought is would be cool to use star quad so that I can use only one + and - lead for each signal. That way I only have one cable coming out of the 5 pin connector. The only potential issue I can think of is that the ground, which is the braided shield on this cable would need to be split between the left and right XLR inputs on the Male side. I just am wondering if that is not a good idea. I could logically see it going either way.

Anyone know?

[George2]

Correct. Split the shield to pins 1 of your 3 pin XLRs.

[cleantone]

Do you mean to say that both inputs sharing a ground lead is okay? I would think so but wanted to ask in case it is not okay.

[Nick's Picks]

both "outputs" sharring the ground...yea, thats ok.

make a small incision in the star quad, about 10" back from the end.  pull out two conductors.
now take a small piece of wire and solder it to the exposed shielding.
there is your 3 contacts for one channel.  then at the end of the cable, put the other XLR on the remaining pair and shield.
viola!