XLR Cables « Videomaker Community Forums

ralck
Member

This is going to sound like a really stupid question, but I'm in the processes of getting mic cables for my microphone. I want 2 cables, a 25' and 50' XLR-XLR cables.

Now, from my understanding, XLR by default is a balanced cable. That's just how it's designed. And balanced cables are designed to not be affected by RFI, etc because of the hot/cold wires.

So my stupid question is, if the cable design is so that it helps reduce interference, is there a reason to spend a lot of money on an expensive cable? Will a cheaper cable still degrade the audio quality a lot?

My microphone is an NTG-2 (Well, I'll be ordering it from B&H tomorrow :-P) and I've got a DXA-4 XLR adapter for my VX2000. I don't want to cheap-out on audio cables and have that keep me from getting good audio, but I don't want to pay more if I don't have to. For example, take a look at a few of these links:

Cheap cables (I can sell off the cables I don't need):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270142637691&rd=1&rd=1

Or should I spend the extra money on this cable, which based on google searches, seems to have some of the best cable and connectors?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190000630926&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us

Thanks for any input!

Posted 4 years ago #
tonsofpcs
Member

ralck Wrote:
Now, from my understanding, XLR by default is a balanced cable. That's just how it's designed. And balanced cables are designed to not be affected by RFI, etc because of the hot/cold wires.

There's no such thing as a "balanced cable". XLR is a connector, with 3 pins. Usually XLR-XLR cables are 3 wires. They can be used as ground(X), Left, Right unbalanced or as Signal+, Signal-, ground to create a balanced line, or in a few other configurations. Many newer devices use them for balanced lines. Older devices had support for them as 2-channel unbalanced and single channel balanced, some only had 2-channel unbalanced.

So my stupid question is, if the cable design is so that it helps reduce interference, is there a reason to spend a lot of money on an expensive cable? Will a cheaper cable still degrade the audio quality a lot?
The cable itself doesn't reduce interference, the balun transformers do. What happens is when your audio is generated, it is converted by a transformer to balanced signal, with signal+ and signal-, both being exact inverses of each other. The idea is that any interference applied to the cable will apply evenly to both, so if the signal is shifted down x, the balun on the other side will realize this (its truly a passive system, but this is the best way I know to explain it in text only) and counter the interference.

My microphone is an NTG-2 (Well, I'll be ordering it from B&H tomorrow :-P) and I've got a DXA-4 XLR adapter for my VX2000. I don't want to cheap-out on audio cables and have that keep me from getting good audio, but I don't want to pay more if I don't have to. For example, take a look at a few of these links:

Just get some quality XLRs, as long as you don't beat them up or overstress them, they'll work 8)

Posted 4 years ago #
ralck
Member

Thanks for the reply. I guess I've used some wrong terminology, but I understand what you are saying. So cables that are made of Mogami or Canare wire and Neutrik or Switchcraft connectors usually means pretty good quality, right?

Posted 4 years ago #
tonsofpcs
Member

As far as I have noticed, yes, although I've never had any major problems with anyone's cables and anyone's connectors. I've had a few connectors where they used a cheap hood and a char bent it, I've had a few cables that have gotten ripped apart at the connector, but that's bound to happen if you treat your cables like crap.

Posted 4 years ago #
moglepro
Member

Hey, if you're still looking for some cables, I know http://www.directproaudio.com has some good prices. They have tons of cables. I think they mainly go through Hosa, which is good stuff.

Posted 4 years ago #
ralck
Member

I've actually already bought cables, but those prices look really good so I'll keep them in mind if I ever need to buy more cables. Thanks!

Posted 4 years ago #