Y-cables at DVinfo.net

Andrew Petrie · November 22nd, 2003, 10:39 PM

Seeing as how so many DVi members do this, I'm going to get a y-cable to run my ME66 into 2 channels on my XL1S... There are a plethora of y-cables out there however, and I was wondering how much you gentlemen spent on a y-cable?

I can get anything from a $3.99 gold plated KOSS/Radio Shack adapter, to a $40+ Stinger oxygen-free cable (and I dare not get into Monster cable pricing! :) )

I'd hate to put sound quality at risk, but at the same time I don't want to burn any more holes in my wallet.

Please advise.

Michael Wisniewski · November 22nd, 2003, 11:45 PM

Since the ME66 is not a stereo mic - the Y cable seems redundant. Wouldn't duplicating the mono audio track in Vegas give you exactly the same thing?

Or is there a benefit to running a mono mic to both channels?

Jeff Donald · November 22nd, 2003, 11:55 PM

There might be two advantages. A dropout could effect one track and not the other. You can also record the tracks at two different levels. If one gets too soft or loud you always have the other to fall back on in post.

November 23rd, 2003, 12:31 AM

On our shoots we do a two-camera take. As a preset we have channel one the boom and channel two as the shotgun. From there they go to a mixer and we split it to the cameras. We have two mics, as there are times when one gets a better sound than the other.

Also if one gets a hum, clicking from movement etc. we can cop it from the other.

Andrew Petrie · November 23rd, 2003, 09:02 AM

Michael, both Jeff and Tom have described exactly why I'd like to use both channes. Moreso for the different sound levels, since I do a lot of automotive work - I've had a couple of times when a loud exhaust (for example) has distorted the sound a bit. Being able to record a second channel at a lower level would give me more flexibility when editing.

Bryan Beasleigh · November 23rd, 2003, 12:26 PM

" I can get anything from a $3.99 gold plated KOSS/Radio Shack adapter, to a $40+ Stinger oxygen-free cable "

That high price stuff just isn't worth it. You might try Terry at www.dvshop.ca in Toronto he carries Hosatech cables. So does B&H in the US.
http://www.hosatech.com/y_cables_index.html

AVR Communications in Toronto carry alot, they also are very competive with the US pricing. http://www.avr.ca/
Talk to Jason at AVR

Marco Leavitt · November 23rd, 2003, 08:15 PM

I use a Rolls MS20. They claim there is no signal loss because it's hard wired (I have to confess I have no idea what that means), and it certainly seems to be true, but I don't have the equipment to measure it or anything. THE INPUT DOESN'T LOCK. Some people say that's good, because if someone trips on the cable it will just pull out instead of knocking everything over, and others would call it a single point of failure. XLR cables fit snugly, and it isn't a problem for me. It's a pretty solid aluminum box, and I'm very happy with it. It will pass phantom power and has a grounding switch. I forget what it costs. I bought it over a year ago, and I've never had reason to curse it.

Mike Rehmus · November 23rd, 2003, 08:33 PM

Markertek will make you a custom cable but you really can make your own very easily. The 66 has a low output impedance and your camera has a relatively high imput impedance. That means you won't be loading the signal by any significant amount.

BTW, the Monster Cable / oxygen-free copper is pure marketing BS. If what they spout were true, the military, the big name sound houses, and the studios would be using that type of cable and they do not.

Marty Wein · November 23rd, 2003, 10:46 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Marco Leavitt : I use a Rolls MS20. -->>>

For just $25 to $35 a mic splitter is the right thing to use instead of just a Y-Cable. Read more about it here.

Bryan Beasleigh · November 23rd, 2003, 10:58 PM

I think i would try a dirty old $3 or $4 Y cable. My gut says that all these gizmos are pure horse poop, or at least somewhat un necessary.

Marco Leavitt · November 23rd, 2003, 11:46 PM

Seems like about the same thing as the Rolls to me.

<<<-- Originally posted by Marco Leavitt : I use a Rolls MS20. -->>>

<<<For just $25 to $35 a mic splitter is the right thing to use instead of just a Y-Cable. Read more about it here.>>>

November 22nd, 2003, 10:39 PM	#1
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	Y-cables Seeing as how so many DVi members do this, I'm going to get a y-cable to run my ME66 into 2 channels on my XL1S... There are a plethora of y-cables out there however, and I was wondering how much you gentlemen spent on a y-cable? I can get anything from a $3.99 gold plated KOSS/Radio Shack adapter, to a $40+ Stinger oxygen-free cable (and I dare not get into Monster cable pricing! :) ) I'd hate to put sound quality at risk, but at the same time I don't want to burn any more holes in my wallet. Please advise. __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

November 22nd, 2003, 11:45 PM	#2
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Since the ME66 is not a stereo mic - the Y cable seems redundant. Wouldn't duplicating the mono audio track in Vegas give you exactly the same thing? Or is there a benefit to running a mono mic to both channels? __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

November 22nd, 2003, 11:55 PM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	There might be two advantages. A dropout could effect one track and not the other. You can also record the tracks at two different levels. If one gets too soft or loud you always have the other to fall back on in post. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 23rd, 2003, 09:02 AM	#5
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	Michael, both Jeff and Tom have described exactly why I'd like to use both channes. Moreso for the different sound levels, since I do a lot of automotive work - I've had a couple of times when a loud exhaust (for example) has distorted the sound a bit. Being able to record a second channel at a lower level would give me more flexibility when editing. __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

November 23rd, 2003, 08:33 PM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Markertek will make you a custom cable but you really can make your own very easily. The 66 has a low output impedance and your camera has a relatively high imput impedance. That means you won't be loading the signal by any significant amount. BTW, the Monster Cable / oxygen-free copper is pure marketing BS. If what they spout were true, the military, the big name sound houses, and the studios would be using that type of cable and they do not. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 23rd, 2003, 12:31 AM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	On our shoots we do a two-camera take. As a preset we have channel one the boom and channel two as the shotgun. From there they go to a mixer and we split it to the cameras. We have two mics, as there are times when one gets a better sound than the other. Also if one gets a hum, clicking from movement etc. we can cop it from the other.

November 23rd, 2003, 12:26 PM	#6
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	" I can get anything from a $3.99 gold plated KOSS/Radio Shack adapter, to a $40+ Stinger oxygen-free cable " That high price stuff just isn't worth it. You might try Terry at www.dvshop.ca in Toronto he carries Hosatech cables. So does B&H in the US. http://www.hosatech.com/y_cables_index.html AVR Communications in Toronto carry alot, they also are very competive with the US pricing. http://www.avr.ca/ Talk to Jason at AVR

November 23rd, 2003, 08:15 PM	#7
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I use a Rolls MS20. They claim there is no signal loss because it's hard wired (I have to confess I have no idea what that means), and it certainly seems to be true, but I don't have the equipment to measure it or anything. THE INPUT DOESN'T LOCK. Some people say that's good, because if someone trips on the cable it will just pull out instead of knocking everything over, and others would call it a single point of failure. XLR cables fit snugly, and it isn't a problem for me. It's a pretty solid aluminum box, and I'm very happy with it. It will pass phantom power and has a grounding switch. I forget what it costs. I bought it over a year ago, and I've never had reason to curse it.

November 23rd, 2003, 10:46 PM	#9
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	<<<-- Originally posted by Marco Leavitt : I use a Rolls MS20. -->>> For just $25 to $35 a mic splitter is the right thing to use instead of just a Y-Cable. Read more about it here.

November 23rd, 2003, 10:58 PM	#10
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I think i would try a dirty old $3 or $4 Y cable. My gut says that all these gizmos are pure horse poop, or at least somewhat un necessary.

November 23rd, 2003, 11:46 PM	#11
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Seems like about the same thing as the Rolls to me. <<<-- Originally posted by Marco Leavitt : I use a Rolls MS20. -->>> <<<For just $25 to $35 a mic splitter is the right thing to use instead of just a Y-Cable. Read more about it here.>>>