Audio XLR "Y" & "Z" cables at DVinfo.net

Brian P. Reynolds · January 27th, 2010, 02:07 AM

I was recently asked to make a "Y" cable... Male XLR to 2 Female XLR's to be used on the camera so 2 microphones could be combined into 1 of the cameras inputs.
Now while technically possible it needs to be noted that doing it this way the background noise will increase and it gives NO control of individual microphone levels, and should NOT be used for critical audio recording. This is where mixers come into their own giving control of levels and dropping unused microphones.

I have two "Z" cables (2 Male & 2 Female XLR's in a Z configuration) in my kit I find them much more useful as they can be used as a Combine, Split, M-M or F-F cable.

Steve House · January 27th, 2010, 04:07 AM

You can have difficulties combining two mics with a simply Y cable as they can interact with each other. Far better to use a simple mic combiner with a transformer that isolates the 2 mics from each other. An example is this one from Whirlwind .. Whirlwind / Combiners

January 27th, 2010, 02:07 AM	#1
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Audio XLR "Y" & "Z" cables I was recently asked to make a "Y" cable... Male XLR to 2 Female XLR's to be used on the camera so 2 microphones could be combined into 1 of the cameras inputs. Now while technically possible it needs to be noted that doing it this way the background noise will increase and it gives NO control of individual microphone levels, and should NOT be used for critical audio recording. This is where mixers come into their own giving control of levels and dropping unused microphones. I have two "Z" cables (2 Male & 2 Female XLR's in a Z configuration) in my kit I find them much more useful as they can be used as a Combine, Split, M-M or F-F cable. Last edited by Brian P. Reynolds; January 27th, 2010 at 02:14 AM. Reason: to clarify a point

January 27th, 2010, 04:07 AM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	You can have difficulties combining two mics with a simply Y cable as they can interact with each other. Far better to use a simple mic combiner with a transformer that isolates the 2 mics from each other. An example is this one from Whirlwind .. Whirlwind / Combiners __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!