Topic: Recording SBD using Zoom H2

[Dan33185]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience recording off a SBD using a Zoom H2? I didn't think it was possible as I assumed most SBD recordings needed an XLR connection, and the Zoom H2 only has a 3.5mm connection. But, I have seen a few SBD recording using this model, so it's clearly possible...is it as simple as hooking up a 3.5mm aux cord to the SBD? I record a few musicians who use a type of board seen below, so I'm thinking I should be able to just plug in to it?

[roffels]

There are XLR to 3.5MM cables out there.

I've got a kit for my 3.5MM input recorders with adapters - RCA male to 3.5 MM male cable, with XLR to RCA converters, and 1/4" to RCA converters. I also keep an attenuation cable on hand since a lot of board feeds come in hot. If you have something like this, you're more or less prepared for any circumstance.

If I know the venue and equipment, I skip all that and just bring the correct cable.

[Dan33185]

There are XLR to 3.5MM cables out there.

I've got a kit for my 3.5MM input recorders with adapters - RCA male to 3.5 MM male cable, with XLR to RCA converters, and 1/4" to RCA converters. I also keep an attenuation cable on hand since a lot of board feeds come in hot. If you have something like this, you're more or less prepared for any circumstance.

If I know the venue and equipment, I skip all that and just bring the correct cable.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/10db-Balanced-Xlr-Attenuator/dp/B00AZTWD3S

[lsd2525]

https://www.amazon.com/Y-Splitter-Unbalanced-Adapter-Interconnect-Breakout/dp/B083R4YG7Y/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=5TA5RO9J31F6&keywords=xlr+MALE+to+3.5mm&qid=1678735780&sprefix=xlr+male+to+3.5mm%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlpKOUwyRkVTSjYwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTU4MDM1MU5MNUJERjZHSzNCUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzE5OTQzMThYN0hZMTAyUjhEQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[Dan33185]

https://www.amazon.com/Y-Splitter-Unbalanced-Adapter-Interconnect-Breakout/dp/B083R4YG7Y/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=5TA5RO9J31F6&keywords=xlr+MALE+to+3.5mm&qid=1678735780&sprefix=xlr+male+to+3.5mm%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlpKOUwyRkVTSjYwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTU4MDM1MU5MNUJERjZHSzNCUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzE5OTQzMThYN0hZMTAyUjhEQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Maybe a dumb question...what would be the purpose/advantage for getting a Dual XLR adapter as opposed to a single like this?

[lsd2525]

You're only going to get one channel from the SBD

[Dan33185]

You're only going to get one channel from the SBD

So Mono basically...good to know, that would have sucked  As far as an attenuator, is an adjustable one, like this, prefferable?

[roffels]

https://www.amazon.com/Y-Splitter-Unbalanced-Adapter-Interconnect-Breakout/dp/B083R4YG7Y/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=5TA5RO9J31F6&keywords=xlr+MALE+to+3.5mm&qid=1678735780&sprefix=xlr+male+to+3.5mm%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlpKOUwyRkVTSjYwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTU4MDM1MU5MNUJERjZHSzNCUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzE5OTQzMThYN0hZMTAyUjhEQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Every board patch I've gotten has required female XLR.

There are XLR to 3.5MM cables out there.

I've got a kit for my 3.5MM input recorders with adapters - RCA male to 3.5 MM male cable, with XLR to RCA converters, and 1/4" to RCA converters. I also keep an attenuation cable on hand since a lot of board feeds come in hot. If you have something like this, you're more or less prepared for any circumstance.

If I know the venue and equipment, I skip all that and just bring the correct cable.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/10db-Balanced-Xlr-Attenuator/dp/B00AZTWD3S

I used a 25db pad, but yes, that's the idea. Some folks have told me they just run line-in and haven't had any issues, but I've yet to be so lucky.

[lsd2525]

https://www.amazon.com/Y-Splitter-Unbalanced-Adapter-Interconnect-Breakout/dp/B083R4YG7Y/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=5TA5RO9J31F6&keywords=xlr+MALE+to+3.5mm&qid=1678735780&sprefix=xlr+male+to+3.5mm%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlpKOUwyRkVTSjYwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTU4MDM1MU5MNUJERjZHSzNCUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzE5OTQzMThYN0hZMTAyUjhEQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Every board patch I've gotten has required female XLR.

There are XLR to 3.5MM cables out there.

I've got a kit for my 3.5MM input recorders with adapters - RCA male to 3.5 MM male cable, with XLR to RCA converters, and 1/4" to RCA converters. I also keep an attenuation cable on hand since a lot of board feeds come in hot. If you have something like this, you're more or less prepared for any circumstance.

If I know the venue and equipment, I skip all that and just bring the correct cable.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/10db-Balanced-Xlr-Attenuator/dp/B00AZTWD3S

I used a 25db pad, but yes, that's the idea. Some folks have told me they just run line-in and haven't had any issues, but I've yet to be so lucky.

Yeah, you are correct. I pulled mine out last night, this is it. I'm one of those line in people who has never used an attenuator. Probably just been lucky

https://www.sweetwater.com/c780--Insert_Y_Cables?highlight=CYX405F&mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700073385564753&lid=92700073385564753&ds_s_kwgid=58700008069260217&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=1798710459014&product_id=CYX405F&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=c&network=u&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9009973&creative=625135836145&targetid=pla-1798710459014&campaignid=18467073279&awsearchcpc=&&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsCgBhDEARIsAE7RYh2R8LXh_aW1lHzarBsCBmb-Er1WctwByH41_x2-iESBA01tuFgMbdQaAnKMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Dan33185]

https://www.amazon.com/Y-Splitter-Unbalanced-Adapter-Interconnect-Breakout/dp/B083R4YG7Y/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=5TA5RO9J31F6&keywords=xlr+MALE+to+3.5mm&qid=1678735780&sprefix=xlr+male+to+3.5mm%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlpKOUwyRkVTSjYwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTU4MDM1MU5MNUJERjZHSzNCUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzE5OTQzMThYN0hZMTAyUjhEQSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Every board patch I've gotten has required female XLR.

There are XLR to 3.5MM cables out there.

I've got a kit for my 3.5MM input recorders with adapters - RCA male to 3.5 MM male cable, with XLR to RCA converters, and 1/4" to RCA converters. I also keep an attenuation cable on hand since a lot of board feeds come in hot. If you have something like this, you're more or less prepared for any circumstance.

If I know the venue and equipment, I skip all that and just bring the correct cable.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/10db-Balanced-Xlr-Attenuator/dp/B00AZTWD3S

I used a 25db pad, but yes, that's the idea. Some folks have told me they just run line-in and haven't had any issues, but I've yet to be so lucky.

Yeah, you are correct. I pulled mine out last night, this is it. I'm one of those line in people who has never used an attenuator. Probably just been lucky

https://www.sweetwater.com/c780--Insert_Y_Cables?highlight=CYX405F&mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700073385564753&lid=92700073385564753&ds_s_kwgid=58700008069260217&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=1798710459014&product_id=CYX405F&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=c&network=u&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9009973&creative=625135836145&targetid=pla-1798710459014&campaignid=18467073279&awsearchcpc=&&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsCgBhDEARIsAE7RYh2R8LXh_aW1lHzarBsCBmb-Er1WctwByH41_x2-iESBA01tuFgMbdQaAnKMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm trying to figure out how that would connect to a SBD...wouldn't I need a male adapter?

[lsd2525]

Inputs are male; outputs are female. The cable that is

[Dan33185]

Inputs are male; outputs are female. The cable that is

Right, so I would need a male cable?

[Gutbucket]

Inputs are male; outputs are female. The cable that is

Best to flip that phrasing around to make things less confusing.

Usually, XLR inputs on gear are female and outputs on gear are male.  The cables required to mate with the XLR connections on the gear will be of the opposite gender. 
^
This is almost always true of XLR connections - microphones, preamps, recorders, mixing boards, outboard gear.. The gender of the connection reflects the signal flow direction.

It is not true of TRS connections, which almost always use a female connection on gear for both input and output, requiring male connectors at both ends of interconnects.  So in that case the gender of the connection does not reflect the signal flow direction.  A good example of this is headphones, where: female out > male in.

[lsd2525]

Take a look at this photo. The four the left are inputs; the two on the right are outputs

[lsd2525]

Inputs are male; outputs are female. The cable that is

Best to flip that phrasing around to make things less confusing.

Usually, XLR inputs on gear are female and outputs on gear are male.  The cables required to mate with the XLR connections on the gear will be of the opposite gender. 
^
This is almost always true of XLR connections - microphones, preamps, recorders, mixing boards, outboard gear.. The gender of the connection reflects the signal flow direction.

It is not true of TRS connections, which almost always use a female connection on gear for both input and output, requiring male connectors at both ends of interconnects.  So in that case the gender of the connection does not reflect the signal flow direction.  A good example of this is headphones, where: female out > male in.

Yeah, I could have worded that better.