Topic: Mic Cables (authentic newbie question)

[Shipworthy]

I'm scoping out mics and preamps, thinking of making my first purchases.  But I have almost no recording experience, so am confused about inputs on different preamps.  Whats the difference between XLR inputs and the 3-pin inputs on many preamps.  Do both work with all mics? Thanks.

[Brian Skalinder]

They're the same.  Preamps and mics generally have 3-pin XLR inputs.  Very few have alternative connectors.

[Shipworthy]

why do they look diff in the pics of the preamps?  like the UA5 vs the V3.

[Brian Skalinder]

why do they look diff in the pics of the preamps?  like the UA5 vs the V3.

Just different brands or model types of the XLR connectors, that's all.  The V3 uses locking XLRs on the back panel.  The UA5 uses non-locking XLRs (which also contain a 1/4" connector) on the front panel.

[Shipworthy]

gotcha, that is good to know.  i figured they must all be compatable and i just was missing something...

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

why do they look diff in the pics of the preamps?  like the UA5 vs the V3.

The UA5 uses non-locking XLRs (which also contain a 1/4" connector) on the front panel.

The mic inputs on the UA5 are both XLR and 1/4" stereo jack...  You can use either, they both fit into the UA5 jack...  

As for 3 pin/XLR, I think there are 3 varieties:  3pin analog (what 99%) of us use, 4pin XLR (have no idea), and digital XLR or AES (methinks).

Get 2 equal length male to female 3 pin XLR mic cables and you'll be set...

Canare is a great cable, as is Blue cable.  Get the Kiwi or Blueberry...  Or order some canare qaud-cable from somewhere...

Later, once you are more expereinced, you can move up to a "better" mic cable, but if you get canare, you may never get another cable...

Terry

[Brian Skalinder]

As for 3 pin/XLR, I think there are 3 varieties:  3pin analog (what 99%) of us use, 4pin XLR (have no idea), and digital XLR or AES (methinks).

There are varying flavors XLR connectors - 3-pin, 4-pin, more-pin.  We tapers typicall use 3- and 4-pin XLR connectors.  3-pin are used for mic/interconnect/digital cables.  The 3-pin connector itself is the same whether it's used in a mic cable (for hooking up your mics to your preamp or phantom power source), interconnect cable (hooking up your preamp to your ADC), or AES/EBU digital cable (one possible digital out from your ADC to your deck).  The pin assignments may vary across those different kinds of cables, but the connector itself is the same.  4-pin are typically used in our situation for power cables.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

and there you go!

Thanks Brian!

Terry

[sexymexi]

the difference in the ua5 and the v3's inputs on the ua5 it has combination inputs where it has XLR and 1/4 inputs, the digimod i beleive doesn't disable them, but the warm and presence mods do. if you want info on those check the below address, and it should show you pics and explain the mods, and that it has to be digitally modded in order to use it as a standalone deivice. there you go:

http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/Digital_Converters/Edirol_UA5.html

the v3 just has xlr inputs, but yea, check that out at the below link

http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/Digital_Converters/V3.html

good luck, matt