Topic: What's the best way to go from XLR to 1/4"...?

[MattinSTL]

Yeah, yeah I know it sounds like a stupid question... and maybe it is.

I'm (hopefully) about to get a MicroTrack and I'm wondering if I should get some mic cables that go from XLR to 1/4" or what everybody else is gonna' do? I read a statement about hating "dongles" and I hate those too... I don't want to be screwing with adapters making the MicroTrack fat 'n awkward (like my prom date)... so whatta' ya' suggest?

Also I'm wondering if some of you have XLR lavs that you put a break in... like a 3.5 locking mini... which I need for a wireless set. I'm trying to figure out the best way to use all the mics I have with XLR jacks (camera and SD mixer), 1/4" jacks (MicroTrack), and 3.5mm locking jacks (wireless sets).

Also is it pretty normal for the pin configuration of XLR to match the pin of 1/4" connectors? So that my signal is okay and the 1/4" still pass phantom power?

Any input is appreciated.

[Brian]

an xlr > 1/4" cable   mic end in exlr, MT end is 1/4"

[dklein]

hey - not such a dumb question actually.  Lots of XLR>1/4" adapters will unbalance the XLR and you won't be able to run phantom power thru it.  Make sure you're looking at a 'TRS' 1/4" end.  Tip, Ring, Sleeve (3 conductors, just like the XLR).  If you only see 2 it's the wrong one.  If you're not sure what I mean, look at any headphone plug (discman, ipod whatever) - you'll notice 3 distinct metal areas on the plug.

[MattinSTL]

Thanks guys! Do you have any favorites? I like Canare StarQuad which is usually what you get if you go with Remote Audio brand of cable... some PSC cables are made with it... and FilmTools has a nice Canare too... but I also want Neutrik connectors or whatever looks and works the best.

I'm a goof-ball for good cables... so what does everybody like? Or should I just have Trew Audio make me up some StarQuad with Neutrik XLR and TRS 1/4" for the mic end?

Since I gotta' get AT LEAST two of these cables (two different lengths of match pairs most likely)... I'll take some opinions to heart.

Also what about that wireless question... Do any of you guys run a lav hardwired but also have a break in the cable for other uses?

[Todd R]

If you were to make your own, you should use TRS 1/4" plugs, as dklein mentioned.  Wire them with pin 2 to tip, pin 3 to ring, pin 1 to sleeve.

If you'd like high quality XLR>1/4" TRS interconnects, I can make you a pair to your specs.  More info is available in this thread in the retail section.  Drop me a pm if you want to talk more about it.

[MattinSTL]

Thanks everybody... I get a lot of stuff from Trew Audio (www.trewaudio.com) and I ordered a pair of StarQuads with Neutrik connectors. Should be here tomorrow. I got one in 18" for running an SD pre and one in 20' for running the MicroTrack straight off a boom mic. Since most of what I do is mono-dialog I will rarely use the MicroTrack as a two-channel recorder.

Actually I guess it was kind of a stupid post afterall... sorry about that.

Instead of "lips sealed" why don't we call that smiley "about to puke".

[Brian]

Actually I guess it was kind of a stupid post afterall... sorry about that.

Instead of "lips sealed" why don't we call that smiley "about to puke".

matt....i can't wait to meet you in person.  you sound like quite the character.  we need to get you out to some shows and hang with the STL crew

[MattinSTL]

Brian... I'm totally down with that. I can always use a few more friends!

Just to further verify my stupidity... can you believe that I ordered a 20' cable and an 18" one?

I've been working with XLR cables for YEARS and it never dawned on me to just get TWO 18" cables and plug whatever length XLR I wanted onto THAT. I'm hoping that I made a subconscious decision to eliminate an unnecessary connection. Otherwise there's just no excuse. I've got hundreds of dollars in various lengths of StarQuad XLR all over the house!

Considering XLR is NOISE FREE... that's why we use BALANCED CABLES remember? There's not much point in avoiding the connections unless you just want to save on bulk... and how is it saving anything by making sure that I'll ALWAYS have to carry an extra 20' cord in case I want to use the MicroTrack in stereo?

Jesus, now I gotta' pay another $10 shipping for the other 18" XLR...

Okay NOW it's officially a stupid post... ahh... oh... mmmph

[admkrk]

+t  just for gp   

[MattinSTL]

Hey I really like this plus T minus T thing... I hope I'm not the only noob who wanted to ask what that meant. It wasn't until earlier today that I finally figured it out on my own.

I kept looking at the "tickets" and wondering what I'd get to pick out of the case.

"All right! I've got 11 tickets already... pretty soon I can get that Snoopy eraser!"

[admkrk]

Hey I really like this plus T minus T thing... I hope I'm not the only noob who wanted to ask what that meant. It wasn't until earlier today that I finally figured it out on my own.

I kept looking at the "tickets" and wondering what I'd get to pick out of the case.

"All right! I've got 11 tickets already... pretty soon I can get that Snoopy eraser!"

my first thought was "how much is this one going to cost?"

[Simp-Dawg]

i vote mattinstl best newbie ever.  informed, reads posts, asks intelligent questions in the right forums...   +T!

[MattinSTL]

Thanks Simp! That means more to me then you might think. I'm a big part of some other audio forums and I always try to contribute in a way that makes the forum worth more rather then worthless.

I've read about a hundred of your posts already... so coming from a veteran like you the seal of approval is appreciated.

[Simp-Dawg]

Thanks Simp! That means more to me then you might think. I'm a big part of some other audio forums and I always try to contribute in a way that makes the forum worth more rather then worthless.

I've read about a hundred of your posts already... so coming from a veteran like you the seal of approval is appreciated.

apparently you glossed over my drunken posts, posts about jbk liking the cock, and general nonsense

[mmedley.]

Since most of what I do is mono-dialog I will rarely use the MicroTrack as a two-channel recorder.

Matt,

The MT is only gonna do stereo out of the box. Mono in a future firmware update FYI. I'm in the same boat when it comes to cables. Must payoff MT before heady cable purchase!

[bdasilva]

I had first thought I would butt the two connectors together but this was long and rigid and I had to have somewhere to put the outside of the connecter  when I soldered it. I can play with it now.