Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: hubbachild on January 19, 2010, 06:42:04 PM
-
Howdy folks, I recently asked Darktrain to make me some cables for my naks> mx 100. Gonna try 3 mic mix. Anyway he asked if I wanted the 1/4" connects to be ts or trs. I honestly have no idea. Did a couple of searches but did not come up with an answer. Any help/opinion/knowledge is gratefully appreciated.
-
Howdy folks, I recently asked Darktrain to make me some cables for my naks> mx 100. Gonna try 3 mic mix. Anyway he asked if I wanted the 1/4" connects to be ts or trs. I honestly have no idea. Did a couple of searches but did not come up with an answer. Any help/opinion/knowledge is gratefully appreciated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS_connector
I believe trs provides 3 connectors (I believe ground) and ts is only two connectors. I am really not sure of any other diffrences.
-
Howdy folks, I recently asked Darktrain to make me some cables for my naks> mx 100. Gonna try 3 mic mix. Anyway he asked if I wanted the 1/4" connects to be ts or trs. I honestly have no idea. Did a couple of searches but did not come up with an answer. Any help/opinion/knowledge is gratefully appreciated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS_connector
I believe trs provides 3 connectors (I believe ground) and ts is only two connectors. I am really not sure of any other diffrences.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Phone_jack_symbols.png)
-
Here is the manual for your mx-100 ( via taperssection.com reference! ) and it states inputs are unbalanced... So, do whichever you want but keep the cable short to avoid noise. Both types will work but will never be balanced into the mx-100, balanced out of the mic, yes but not into your device.
www.taperssection.com%2Freference%2Fpdf%2FManual_NakamichiMX100.pdf&ei=3XhWS925McWUtgecgqGxBA&usg=AFQjCNG_3gwuhF9HAYz6Iwy-ss8xuaXzdg&sig2=_ngAunAZJvxAxMMk3h2dzQ
-
Looks like pin 2 goes to tip and 1 and 3 to sleeve.
http://www.nakmics.com/nak-cm300userfront2.jpg
(changed image to link for faster page load)
-
Yes, you want XLR>1/4" TS cables, and as these will be unbalanced inputs, you want to keep them as short as you can as someone noticed. What I'd advise is to get them short, as in like 2' and then also get a good set of XLR>XLR cables that are any length you want so you can accomodate stands of varying heights, clamps to balcony railings or whatever else you envision using. Basically, the signal is fine at any length as long as it's balanced (i.e. XLR>XLR), but once you unbalance the cable, you can start introducing noise, so short on the XLR>1/4" TS is good. So I'd advise a set of 15'+ XLR>XLR cables depending on your potential length needs and then get a set of shorty XLR>1/4"TS to make the conversion into the mixer.
-
The standard set of 3 Naks came with cables XLR > 1/4" TS. There have to be a ton of them in various junk boxes around the world. You might put an ISO in the yard sale.
-
Yes, you want XLR>1/4" TS cables, and as these will be unbalanced inputs, you want to keep them as short as you can as someone noticed. What I'd advise is to get them short, as in like 2' and then also get a good set of XLR>XLR cables that are any length you want so you can accomodate stands of varying heights, clamps to balcony railings or whatever else you envision using. Basically, the signal is fine at any length as long as it's balanced (i.e. XLR>XLR), but once you unbalance the cable, you can start introducing noise, so short on the XLR>1/4" TS is good. So I'd advise a set of 15'+ XLR>XLR cables depending on your potential length needs and then get a set of shorty XLR>1/4"TS to make the conversion into the mixer.
At "taper length" - Unbalanced should be just fine...10-12 ft should be plenty for stand taping.
I think - once you unbalance a cable...its unbalanced the whole way...not just at the point of unbalancing...not sure whats to be gained with the short stuff. I guess if you already had a nice set of XLRs...ok. Sorry if im misunderstanding... :-\
-
It is possible to replace the TS-jacks on the MX-100 with TRS-jacks. (Even better with Mini-XLR.) If you are running shorter cables you can let the third pin supply your microphones with 9-10V via the MX-100. Yes, you will need to modify your microphones for that too.... Why not bypass the balancing transformer inside the microphones as well? That will give you about 10-14dB hotter signal, need for less gain. The output of the MX-100 can be impedance balanced, allowing connection to a differential input (balanced input) and running longer cables to the recorder if necessary.
Roger
-
It is possible to replace the TS-jacks on the MX-100 with TRS-jacks. (Even better with Mini-XLR.) If you are running shorter cables you can let the third pin supply your microphones with 9-10V via the MX-100. Yes, you will need to modify your microphones for that too.... Why not bypass the balancing transformer inside the microphones as well? That will give you about 10-14dB hotter signal, need for less gain. The output of the MX-100 can be impedance balanced, allowing connection to a differential input (balanced input) and running longer cables to the recorder if necessary.
Roger
Roger, how does the MX100 handle the increased gain from the mic in that configuration?
Also - what is involved in balancing the MX100 output?
-
Roger, how does the MX100 handle the increased gain from the mic in that configuration?
Also - what is involved in balancing the MX100 output?
I have not had any problems. My sources are not high SPL. There is always the pad in case the signal level is too hot. I have not yet rewired the setup to power the microphones from the preamp.
This is a way of how to power the Nakamichi microphones from the MX-100 preamp and make the output of the preamp impedance balanced. The cables between microphones and preamp is not balanced and should be rather short. The balanced cables from the preamp to the recorder can be longer. You can place the preamp on the floor at the stand and then run cables to a remote located recorder. I am not doing any stealth recording.
The impedance balancing follows this Jensen document.
http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/impedance_balanced_output.JPG
Here how the microphones connects to the mic preamp. The original one at the top and the modified one below.
http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/modified_Nakamichis.GIF
The MX-100 is bulky. Replacing the enclosure with a smaller and lighter one is possible. LiPo batteries inside and Mini XLR connectors. Still this is not the smallest option....
Roger