Right now to record a mic that has no need for phantom power, which is better in terms of quality- using a plain XLR cable, or using an XLR to 1/4' cable? Are the pretty much the same quality? I want to know because I'm planning on getting a new mic (battery powered so no need for phantom) and deciding on wether I should buy a regular XLR cable or reuse my XLR to 1/4.
Oh, and since it's condenser will I be unable to use the XLR to 1/4'? The cable comes from a 30 year old dynamic mic... excuse my ignorance on the subject.
XLR vs. 1/4'
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XLR vs. 1/4'
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Past: Korg R3, Volca Bass, X50, Mg Slim Phatty, Rld Gaia SH-01, Yamaha TX81Z
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You would only need the XLR to provide phantom power. So seeing as it uses a battery, the 1/4 adaptor should work.
However, XLR is a balanced connector which uses common mode noise rejection at the input, so you will get a better signal with less cable-related noise.
However, XLR is a balanced connector which uses common mode noise rejection at the input, so you will get a better signal with less cable-related noise.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
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Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
XLR
XLR should have no difference in quality versus an 1/4 adaptor if your cable length is less than 10 feet. XLR also known as a balanced audio connector uses another pin to provide a live return signal to the amplifier.
This return signal allows the amplifier to calculate the signal loss and make proper gain adjustments. This is useful for situations wherein you are using multiple microphones having different cable lengths. The return allows the amplifier or mixer to adjust for each input so that they all have a similar output volume (assuming they have the same volume setting in the mixer) - hence the term balanced.
This return signal allows the amplifier to calculate the signal loss and make proper gain adjustments. This is useful for situations wherein you are using multiple microphones having different cable lengths. The return allows the amplifier or mixer to adjust for each input so that they all have a similar output volume (assuming they have the same volume setting in the mixer) - hence the term balanced.
Re: XLR
Actually, that is absolutely not the main purpose of the additional pin.dennisj wrote: This return signal allows the amplifier to calculate the signal loss and make proper gain adjustments. This is useful for situations wherein you are using multiple microphones having different cable lengths. The return allows the amplifier or mixer to adjust for each input so that they all have a similar output volume (assuming they have the same volume setting in the mixer) - hence the term balanced.
The additional connection is used for common mode rejection of noise picked up over long cables. This is useful if you need to use a high gain device at the far end of the cable, to stop noise being amplified from the cable.
http://www.ofsoundmind.com/OSM2/tech/eq ... anced.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro