Microphone for voice over

Tony Hall · November 30th, 2004, 01:03 AM

Ok great, that was helpful. Just one last question: Someone (maybe two) suggested the AT803b. This only has a 6' reach and I'll probably plug both of them into a beachtek that's hooked up to one of the GL2's. I'll need an extension cord for one of them. I actually can't find any xlr extension cords on B&H. Should I just get a female xlr to male xlr or is there something special I should get?

Jay Massengill · November 30th, 2004, 08:55 AM

That is the standard XLR cable, female to male. You'll need a cable for each AT803b, because there is a small power-box at the end of that 6-foot cable. It has a male XLR output that requires a standard XLR cable to reach the BeachTek input, no matter how close you are.
Outputs from devices are always male, inputs are always female.
(The only exception to this are some hotel PA inputs that are wired male so you can't just plug in without an adapter.)
Standard XLR cables are always female to male, so they can either work directly between devices or they can simply be linked together for greater distance.

Tony Hall · November 30th, 2004, 03:41 PM

Thanks Jay, I noticed that there didn't seem to be an XLR output included with the lav. OK, this is my final question. Balanced and unbalanced cables? Do I need to concern myself with this and is there any special cable required when you are providing phantom power through the cable?

After this it's off to B&H.

Tony Hall · November 30th, 2004, 04:03 PM

for instance I'm sure this will do the job right?

I don't mean to sound like a freakin idiot, but since I'm no expert I think it's better to be safe and ask.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...u=68099&is=REG

Jay Massengill · December 1st, 2004, 08:16 AM

You absolutely should use balanced cables with an XLR mic into an XLR input. You absolutely must use balanced cables to run phantom power.
The AT cable is ok, but it uses 2 conductors to carry the signal.
StarQuad cable is better, it uses 4 twisted conductors correctly wired together to greatly reduce the pickup of hum and interference. B&H also carries StarQuad cables by Canare, but I think they charge too much and they're out of stock on 25-foot cables too.
I've always used HAVE Inc. for my cables. They're in upstate NY and are very good to work with.

For example:
http://store.haveinc.com/Ebus30/Parts/Part.asp?Part=201000BG%2D025BLA&Material_Code=CURRENT

They have all 10 Canare colors available, in any length and with chrome or black connectors.
You can get the AT cable from B&H, it will certainly work, but the Canare StarQuad is worth the effort.

Tony Hall · December 1st, 2004, 08:27 PM

Thanks again. I'm looking at a couple of used StarQuads online I'll probably pick up.

Jay Massengill · December 2nd, 2004, 08:32 AM

Personally I wouldn't buy a used mic cable. Mic cables take a beating even when you take care of them. But that's just me.
Test them thoroughly if you do get them.

Glenn Chan · December 2nd, 2004, 10:03 PM

The ones I rent from Long and Mcquade smell like smoke and have gunk on em.

They might also have many twists/kinks in them if the owner hasn't coiled them properly.

Some cable I've seen also has an intermittent connection because they weren't very well made/soldered (this may not apply if buying manufactured cable, although it can be damaged).

You could ask yourself why someone would sell used mic cable. If buying locally then things should be ok since you get to inspect em. If you have a volt meter then check for continuity. If buying off eBay I suppose you can ask of the cable smells or has twists/kinks in them.

November 30th, 2004, 01:03 AM	#31
Tony Hall Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: springfield, OH Posts: 344	Ok great, that was helpful. Just one last question: Someone (maybe two) suggested the AT803b. This only has a 6' reach and I'll probably plug both of them into a beachtek that's hooked up to one of the GL2's. I'll need an extension cord for one of them. I actually can't find any xlr extension cords on B&H. Should I just get a female xlr to male xlr or is there something special I should get? __________________ Tony "Good taste is the enemy of creativity" - Picasso Blog: http://www.tonyhall.name

November 30th, 2004, 03:41 PM	#33
Tony Hall Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: springfield, OH Posts: 344	Thanks Jay, I noticed that there didn't seem to be an XLR output included with the lav. OK, this is my final question. Balanced and unbalanced cables? Do I need to concern myself with this and is there any special cable required when you are providing phantom power through the cable? After this it's off to B&H. __________________ Tony "Good taste is the enemy of creativity" - Picasso Blog: http://www.tonyhall.name

November 30th, 2004, 04:03 PM	#34
Tony Hall Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: springfield, OH Posts: 344	for instance I'm sure this will do the job right? I don't mean to sound like a freakin idiot, but since I'm no expert I think it's better to be safe and ask. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...u=68099&is=REG __________________ Tony "Good taste is the enemy of creativity" - Picasso Blog: http://www.tonyhall.name

December 1st, 2004, 08:27 PM	#36
Tony Hall Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: springfield, OH Posts: 344	Thanks again. I'm looking at a couple of used StarQuads online I'll probably pick up. __________________ Tony "Good taste is the enemy of creativity" - Picasso Blog: http://www.tonyhall.name

November 30th, 2004, 08:55 AM	#32
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	That is the standard XLR cable, female to male. You'll need a cable for each AT803b, because there is a small power-box at the end of that 6-foot cable. It has a male XLR output that requires a standard XLR cable to reach the BeachTek input, no matter how close you are. Outputs from devices are always male, inputs are always female. (The only exception to this are some hotel PA inputs that are wired male so you can't just plug in without an adapter.) Standard XLR cables are always female to male, so they can either work directly between devices or they can simply be linked together for greater distance.

December 1st, 2004, 08:16 AM	#35
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	You absolutely should use balanced cables with an XLR mic into an XLR input. You absolutely must use balanced cables to run phantom power. The AT cable is ok, but it uses 2 conductors to carry the signal. StarQuad cable is better, it uses 4 twisted conductors correctly wired together to greatly reduce the pickup of hum and interference. B&H also carries StarQuad cables by Canare, but I think they charge too much and they're out of stock on 25-foot cables too. I've always used HAVE Inc. for my cables. They're in upstate NY and are very good to work with. For example: http://store.haveinc.com/Ebus30/Parts/Part.asp?Part=201000BG%2D025BLA&Material_Code=CURRENT They have all 10 Canare colors available, in any length and with chrome or black connectors. You can get the AT cable from B&H, it will certainly work, but the Canare StarQuad is worth the effort.

December 2nd, 2004, 08:32 AM	#37
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Personally I wouldn't buy a used mic cable. Mic cables take a beating even when you take care of them. But that's just me. Test them thoroughly if you do get them.

December 2nd, 2004, 10:03 PM	#38
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	The ones I rent from Long and Mcquade smell like smoke and have gunk on em. They might also have many twists/kinks in them if the owner hasn't coiled them properly. Some cable I've seen also has an intermittent connection because they weren't very well made/soldered (this may not apply if buying manufactured cable, although it can be damaged). You could ask yourself why someone would sell used mic cable. If buying locally then things should be ok since you get to inspect em. If you have a volt meter then check for continuity. If buying off eBay I suppose you can ask of the cable smells or has twists/kinks in them.