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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: Chuck on March 25, 2009, 07:37:38 PM

Title: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: Chuck on March 25, 2009, 07:37:38 PM: What is the standard cable scheme when using TA3F and TA3M connectors on active cables?
I have seen some use the TA3F's on both ends of the cable to connect to the microphone capsule and battery box or pre-amp.
For example connecting between a Franken-Nak and an AT8533 power module. The cable is terminated in two TA3F's because the Franken -Naks and the AT8533's terminate on TB3M jacks.

I have also seen the more traditional route (like standard size wire and XLR connectors), where a TA3F connects to the mic capsule and a TA3M on the other end of the wire connects to the microphone body. I believe this is how MBHO does it with their actives.

Is there a standard for terminating active style cables? Is there a a way that works better in practice?

I'm putting together an active rig using Franken-Naks and I have the ability to wire it all togther the way I want.

I'm leaning toward making the cables: TA3F connector --------------------cable-------------------TA3F connector.

Chuck
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: jeromejello on March 25, 2009, 10:23:40 PM: i believe the mbho use a 4 pin mini xlr
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: SxPxDxCx on March 26, 2009, 04:56:03 PM: Quote from: jeromejello on March 25, 2009, 10:23:40 PM
i believe the mbho use a 4 pin mini xlr

Mine do
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: Chuck on March 26, 2009, 08:16:46 PM: I had some time to wire up some cables today, because I left work early due to the blizzard.
I used TA3F's on both ends.

James, am I right that the MBHO's terminate in one TA4F (microphone side) and one TA4M (pre-amp/ mic body side)?
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: Javier Cinakowski on March 26, 2009, 08:30:06 PM: rode nt6 active cable is 3pin, but a fourth conductor is grounded to the shield....
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: Roger Gustavsson on March 27, 2009, 03:33:43 AM: Chuck,

I don not think there is a standard. Neumann, Schoeps and others seems to have their own wiring and connectors. The Samson PM4 phantom adapters are wired like this:

(http://www.twin-x.com/groupdiy/albums/userpics/samsom_pm4%7E0.GIF)

Roger
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: Chuck on March 27, 2009, 10:30:38 AM: My interest is in how th cables are terminated.
That PIN1 ground, PIN2 audio, PIN3 bias (power) seems to be standard for three-wire per individual microphone circuits.
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: Roger Gustavsson on March 28, 2009, 05:11:10 AM: Chuck,

I think, that is a "variable" standard. Even the normal XLR-connectors have had different pinouts for Europe and the US. Pin 2 and 3 can be the other way around. The Mini-XLR are also used in place of normal XLR, by AKG for instance. I think most of us take it for granted that a XLR is connected in a standard way, in most cases allowing phantom power on, and not that there is a bias voltage. I will use 4-pin connectors for my own modifications just to prevent misstakes. Neumann, Schoeps and others seems to go for special connectors too.

Roger
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: boojum on April 21, 2009, 05:17:49 PM: I had the same problem wiring mini-XLR's for my recorder. I checked the manufacturer's site for help and closely scrutinized the TA3F's themselves. Switchcraft's site and the TA3F's are marked for wiring the same as the AES (?) standard for regular XLR's. I did mine that way and they work. That's all I can tell you.

Cheers
Title: Re: mini-XLR cables questions
Post by: Chuck on April 26, 2009, 04:45:39 PM: Yeah, that looks promising.
I've been getting the Switchcraft minis on eBay for $1.50 ea lately. That's not too bad.