Humdrum XLR Cable Questions at DVinfo.net

Richard Schowalter · October 12th, 2004, 08:13 PM

I'm getting ready to order my first serious (for me) microphone, a Rode NT3, and I wanted to make sure I'm getting the cables right.
I'll be using it on battery power.

Do I have this part right? The mic's output spec is XLR-3M which I interpreted as male. So then it would be:

Mic (Male)
3-pin XLR Female and 3-pin XLR Male (20 feet)
3-pin XLR Female and Mini Stereo Male (1.5 feet)
Camera is mini stereo female

I guess it all depends upon my understanding of the mic's output being male.

My second question is what characteristics do I look for in the XLR-cable. I was looking at the Hosa balanced cables. Do I want 20 gauge as opposed to 24 gauge? Some other brand?

Thanks for putting up with questions about something so seemingly ordinary.

David Ennis · October 12th, 2004, 11:02 PM

You have it right, but one caution:

The XLR female to mini stereo male must be wired correctly. It must *not* be wired to carry a stereo signal.

Hosa XVM-101, -105 and -115, available at B&H are correctly wired and will apply the mic's mono signal to both of the camcorders channels.

My cables are Hosa 20 gauge (thicker conductors than 24 gauge) and I'm happy with them

Richard Schowalter · October 13th, 2004, 11:56 AM

Thank you Mr Retread for the caution. I visited the Hosa web site and I was indeed about to order the wrong Hosa (it was for a stereo mic) instead of the XVM-101 you mentioned.

Thanks again.

October 12th, 2004, 08:13 PM	#1
Richard Schowalter New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois Posts: 8	Humdrum XLR Cable Questions I'm getting ready to order my first serious (for me) microphone, a Rode NT3, and I wanted to make sure I'm getting the cables right. I'll be using it on battery power. Do I have this part right? The mic's output spec is XLR-3M which I interpreted as male. So then it would be: Mic (Male) 3-pin XLR Female and 3-pin XLR Male (20 feet) 3-pin XLR Female and Mini Stereo Male (1.5 feet) Camera is mini stereo female I guess it all depends upon my understanding of the mic's output being male. My second question is what characteristics do I look for in the XLR-cable. I was looking at the Hosa balanced cables. Do I want 20 gauge as opposed to 24 gauge? Some other brand? Thanks for putting up with questions about something so seemingly ordinary.

October 12th, 2004, 11:02 PM	#2
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	You have it right, but one caution: The XLR female to mini stereo male must be wired correctly. It must not be wired to carry a stereo signal. Hosa XVM-101, -105 and -115, available at B&H are correctly wired and will apply the mic's mono signal to both of the camcorders channels. My cables are Hosa 20 gauge (thicker conductors than 24 gauge) and I'm happy with them __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

October 13th, 2004, 11:56 AM	#3
Richard Schowalter New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois Posts: 8	Thank you Mr Retread for the caution. I visited the Hosa web site and I was indeed about to order the wrong Hosa (it was for a stereo mic) instead of the XVM-101 you mentioned. Thanks again.