Topic: 1/8" to two 1/4" for Microtrack?

[dmaster]

Just curious, does anyone make a cable that's small/stealthy/low profile/etc that'll take my 1/8" out from my MMA6000 box, into the MicroTrack's dual 1/4" TRS?   

Soundprofessionals has their dongle for $30, but it's not so great for stealthing, since it's pretty freakin huge and not very flexible.  They have a $70 one that looks a lot more low profile... but if I'm spending that much $$, wouldn't I be able to get a good cable that could do the same thing, and potentially have right angle connections for the TRS and just work out better overall?  I've been looking around, but all i see are the traditional types of cables and none that are "designed" for the Microtrack...     

any help is appreciated.  (oh and I'm not a DIY kind of person when it comes to cables, so I'm looking to buy something if it's possible, not make something since I suck at it).

[cmoorevt]

You could probably try someplace like Markertek that makes custom cables:

www.markertek.com

but also be sure to pm ToddR.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49744.0

[deadheaded]

i can probably help you out too.
ed

kindkables.com

[china_rider]

Not on their page yet but sonicstudios makes a HQ cable with right angle connectors on each side.  Just goto the site and email guysonic.  I'm not affil in any way... just love the eq.

www.sonicstudios.com

[caymanreview]

this is what im gonna use:



http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-MICROTRACK-INTERFACE

[fuzn]

this is what im gonna use:



http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-MICROTRACK-INTERFACE

Exactly. This is PERFECT for DPAs. Has not failed me yet!

[bconnolly]

I would also really like a low profile 1/8 > TRS adapter for stealth situations.  I have the SP one and it makes the MT look like a friggin party hat sticking out of my pocket.  Some RA TRS plugs would fix that right quick.

[pjdavep]

I made one out of some Cardas 1/4" plugs and a Cardas 1/8" male cable.  I used some epoxy to keep it bump proof and hold it together and IMO, it's very low profile and stealthy.  I'll try to post some pics later this evening.

Later,
    pjdavep

[pjdavep]

Here are some quick pics of the MT adapter I made:





It was kinda pricey since I used Cardas stuff, but I wanted to get as good of components as possible.  It is form fitting and really tough to wiggle.  I'm paranoid since I've had cable problems ruin *many* a great tape 

Later,
  pjdavep

[cfbarlow]

Both of those 1/4' cables are NOT TRS, do you guys notice a difference.  You asked for a 1/8' to TRS 1/4, but that sounpro box is just TS.  What do you think?

[pjdavep]

Both of those 1/4' cables are NOT TRS, do you guys notice a difference.  You asked for a 1/8' to TRS 1/4, but that sounpro box is just TS.  What do you think?

Well, since the 'dmaster' is going out the 1/8" of his preamp, that means he's going into the line-in of the MT and doesn't need the phantom power that the true TRS plugs could provide (if phantom was switched on).  If you are just going line-in, all that is needed are the 1/4" mono plugs.

Later,
   pjdavep

[kfrinkle]

Here are some quick pics of the MT adapter I made:





It was kinda pricey since I used Cardas stuff, but I wanted to get as good of components as possible.  It is form fitting and really tough to wiggle.  I'm paranoid since I've had cable problems ruin *many* a great tape 

Later,
  pjdavep

Can you make more of those?

[caymanreview]

or do you have the part numbers handy?

[bconnolly]

or do you have the part numbers handy?

Seconding.  I'd like to try my hand at making something like this.  What would be a good way to case the actual dongle where the TRS plugs go into the MT?  I'm thinking of maybe using whatever SP uses to encase the bass roll-off portion of their battery boxes... the plastic stuff.  Not sure what that's called or where you'd get it.

[pjdavep]

I purchased the two Cardas GRQSM plugs from Moon-Audio.com, which are two Straight Mono plugs.  If you wanted TRS style, you would get the GRQSS (Straight Stereo).  I also had Drew at Moon Audio get me a Cardas mini to mini cable, which can be seen here -
http://www.headphone.com/products/cables/cables-by-others/cardas-12-inch-mini-to-mini-cable.php

Once the cable strain relief was unscrewed from the plugs, I needed to use the dremel to cut most of the shield off the plugs...it was just a bunch of extra metal sticking out anyway.  Once I was done, the plugs were really low profile.   Then I chopped off one end of the mini-mini cable and wired it to the right, left, and shared the ground between the two plugs. 

To 'case' it, I created a temporary mold with Play-doh and Saran wrap.  I turned everything upside down so that epoxy didn't get onto to MT.  Then once I was satisfied with my mold, I poured some epoxy in it and held the MT steady until the epoxy set.  I wanted to do that with the plugs in the MT just to make sure everything was aligned properly.  As soon as the epoxy set, you can cleanly peel away the Saran wrap.  Any large chunks that aren't needed can be cut off with an Xacto knife or dremeled off.

It takes a lot of effort (so sorry, I won't be making these to sell), but it's nice knowing that you have a cable that's about as stealthy as you can get and that the Cardas components are some of the better made.

Later,
  pjdavep

[rodeen]

Both of those 1/4' cables are NOT TRS, do you guys notice a difference.  You asked for a 1/8' to TRS 1/4, but that sounpro box is just TS.  What do you think?

I'm speaking with a high degree of ignorance in the area but I think you would only want a TS connection since the
1/8" is already unbalanced.

[caymanreview]

pjdavep: big +t for the effort. thats a hell of an idea to make a mold.

[CHURCH-AUDIO]

I can make you a cable with 2mm O.D mogami and right angle connectors for alot less then $70.00
PM me if your interested.

Chris Church
 

Just curious, does anyone make a cable that's small/stealthy/low profile/etc that'll take my 1/8" out from my MMA6000 box, into the MicroTrack's dual 1/4" TRS?   

Soundprofessionals has their dongle for $30, but it's not so great for stealthing, since it's pretty freakin huge and not very flexible.  They have a $70 one that looks a lot more low profile... but if I'm spending that much $$, wouldn't I be able to get a good cable that could do the same thing, and potentially have right angle connections for the TRS and just work out better overall?  I've been looking around, but all i see are the traditional types of cables and none that are "designed" for the Microtrack...     

any help is appreciated.  (oh and I'm not a DIY kind of person when it comes to cables, so I'm looking to buy something if it's possible, not make something since I suck at it).

[EarlyMorningRain]

wouldn't one of these work, for $29 ??
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/mas_assets/full/SP-MICROTRACK-MINI-TRS-A.jpg
(or is this not what you're describing)

[dmaster]

wouldn't one of these work, for $29 ??
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/mas_assets/full/SP-MICROTRACK-MINI-TRS-A.jpg
(or is this not what you're describing)

when I made the post originally, they didn't have it with right angle connectors.

I've since spent $100 on two separate interfaces that I don't really like a whole lot, and that one doesn't look like it'll address my issue with it being non-stealthy anyway since it looks like it'll come off at least 1-2 inches on the back of the MT.  That's not stealthy to have a huge bulge coming out of a jacket or your pants or wherever you're going to keep a microtrack.  (unless you want people to stare at a bulge in your pants, but personall I'd prefer not to give people any reason to stare at me when i'm trying to not attract attention).

So, I'm just going to make my own until I make something that I actually like and can use on a regular basis without it being inconvenient.  I think SP is on the right track, but they never actually use their own products so they can't really know how inconvenient they are most of the time.   (and the MT-INTERFACE they have is a good start, but the cable connecting on the left side rather than the top is pretty crappy to me, since with a large 1-2 inch connector, you're having the unit stick out to the side.   I want compact and simple, not clunky and un-stealthy. 

So, I'm just going to learn to do it myself.   

[EarlyMorningRain]

yeah, know your dilema, I'm in the same boat as you (once I get a MT2496). But what about this link ?

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/mas_assets/full/ISI-SPA-PM4.jpg

Those Right Angle plugs aren't bad at all, just need the other end of the cable to accept a 1/8" (male) plug
(thats' coming from either my battery box and/or SP-PREAMP)

[dmaster]

yeah, know your dilema, I'm in the same boat as you (once I get a MT2496). But what about this link ?

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/mas_assets/full/ISI-SPA-PM4.jpg

Those Right Angle plugs aren't bad at all, just need the other end of the cable to accept a 1/8" (male) plug
(thats' coming from either my battery box and/or SP-PREAMP)

with a small preamp/box that might be okay.  Notice that your plugs are roughly the same freaking size as the damn microtrack itself.  That is something I consider unacceptable, since if you're stealthing you don't need excessively large parts when small ones are available at some point.   I've seen plenty of small connectors out there and think that it'd be worth the potential compromise in quality to use the smallest stuff you can get.   Myself, I have the MMA6000 battery box/preamp (I don't know what it's considered I guess) and that thing is as big as the MT already, so another thing the same size is just not what I'm going for.

I like the epoxied one earlier in the thread a lot and I'd like to make something similar honestly, since that looks about as minimal as you can get. 

[SClassical]

I haven't made a cable before so I like to know where to connect the wires in the 1/4 plugs. I've got 2X 1/4 plugs and a 1/8 plug already wired so hopefully someone can advise me what to do.
Thanks!