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XLR to Mini TS
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mcp6453
May 6, 2012, 9:39:24 AM5/6/12
to
The last time I looked for a premium grade XLR-to-Mini TS cable for a video
camera, it was pretty easy to find some made with Switchcraft mini connectors.
Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff. Other
dealers are selling Hosa, ProCo, and others. As a general rule, which companies
make the best (pre-made) cables with high quality mini connectors?
camera, it was pretty easy to find some made with Switchcraft mini connectors.
Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff. Other
dealers are selling Hosa, ProCo, and others. As a general rule, which companies
make the best (pre-made) cables with high quality mini connectors?
Mike Rivers
May 6, 2012, 10:49:13 AM5/6/12
to
On 5/6/2012 9:39 AM, mcp6453 wrote:
> Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff. Other
> dealers are selling Hosa, ProCo, and others. As a general rule, which companies
> make the best (pre-made) cables with high quality mini connectors?
They'r really all about the same. The 1/8" phone jack is
> Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff. Other
> dealers are selling Hosa, ProCo, and others. As a general rule, which companies
> make the best (pre-made) cables with high quality mini connectors?
hardly a high quality connector no matter who makes it, and
XLRs are pretty much all the same as long as you're not the
one assembling them. Contrary to Internet wisdom of 25 years
ago, there's nothing wrong with Hosa cables. ProCo,
Horizon/Rapco are good, as well as the ones from Markertek.
I guarantee that someone will post the name of the vendor
they last bought cables from. They probably will offer
nothing more than the name and a URL, and will not have
purchased the exact type of cable that you're looking for,
at least not within the past few weeks, so there's no
guarantee that what they got is what you'll get.
Geez, it's only a cable. Buy two or three. Or better yet,
make your own. Then you'll know what goes into them.
--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson
http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff
mcp6453
May 6, 2012, 11:32:00 AM5/6/12
to
On 5/6/2012 10:49 AM, Mike Rivers wrote:
> On 5/6/2012 9:39 AM, mcp6453 wrote:
>
>> Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff. Other
>> dealers are selling Hosa, ProCo, and others. As a general rule, which companies
>> make the best (pre-made) cables with high quality mini connectors?
>
> They'r really all about the same. The 1/8" phone jack is hardly a high quality
> connector no matter who makes it, and XLRs are pretty much all the same as long
> as you're not the one assembling them. Contrary to Internet wisdom of 25 years
> ago, there's nothing wrong with Hosa cables. ProCo, Horizon/Rapco are good, as
> well as the ones from Markertek.
>
> I guarantee that someone will post the name of the vendor they last bought
> cables from. They probably will offer nothing more than the name and a URL, and
> will not have purchased the exact type of cable that you're looking for, at
> least not within the past few weeks, so there's no guarantee that what they got
> is what you'll get.
>
> Geez, it's only a cable. Buy two or three. Or better yet, make your own. Then
> you'll know what goes into them.
I usually make my own, but the question is for a buddy in another state. He
> On 5/6/2012 9:39 AM, mcp6453 wrote:
>
>> Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff. Other
>> dealers are selling Hosa, ProCo, and others. As a general rule, which companies
>> make the best (pre-made) cables with high quality mini connectors?
>
> They'r really all about the same. The 1/8" phone jack is hardly a high quality
> connector no matter who makes it, and XLRs are pretty much all the same as long
> as you're not the one assembling them. Contrary to Internet wisdom of 25 years
> ago, there's nothing wrong with Hosa cables. ProCo, Horizon/Rapco are good, as
> well as the ones from Markertek.
>
> I guarantee that someone will post the name of the vendor they last bought
> cables from. They probably will offer nothing more than the name and a URL, and
> will not have purchased the exact type of cable that you're looking for, at
> least not within the past few weeks, so there's no guarantee that what they got
> is what you'll get.
>
> Geez, it's only a cable. Buy two or three. Or better yet, make your own. Then
> you'll know what goes into them.
doesn't have soldering capability, and I ain't doing it for him.
Sometimes there is a tendency to use Radio Shack cables. I try to encourage
people to avoid those in all circumstances.
Soundhaspriority
May 6, 2012, 11:49:36 AM5/6/12
to
"mcp6453" <mcp...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:KfqdnViMaKKR4jvS...@giganews.com...
http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Audio-Cables/Mini-to-XLR-Cables/TecNec-Cables-Connectors/SC100XM.xhtml
And the link does work.
Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511
William Sommerwerck
May 6, 2012, 11:54:29 AM5/6/12
to
I've bought house-brand cables from several companies, including MCM and
Diversified (is that right?), and have never had reason to complain. I do,
however, look for connectors from "name-brand" companies, such as Neutrik.
Diversified (is that right?), and have never had reason to complain. I do,
however, look for connectors from "name-brand" companies, such as Neutrik.
Soundhaspriority
May 6, 2012, 2:26:08 PM5/6/12
to
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzle...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:jo66q6$c5r$1...@dont-email.me...
> I've bought house-brand cables from several companies, including MCM and
> Diversified (is that right?), and have never had reason to complain. I do,
> however, look for connectors from "name-brand" companies, such as Neutrik.
>
It's a good idea to stay away from connectors plated with tin, as RS is/was
> Diversified (is that right?), and have never had reason to complain. I do,
> however, look for connectors from "name-brand" companies, such as Neutrik.
>
known to do. Nickel is the pro audio standard. It oxidizes, but cleans with
insertion/removals. This is one reason I disagree with Mike's suggestion to
buy anything. Who needs a tin connector, when, for very little money, nickel
is available?
Cable construction is less of an issue, but, even on a short length of
unbalanced cable, if the cable is subject to constant flexing, as with the a
camcorder, a metallized polyester "server shield" is not a great choice.
It's worth a couple of bucks to go with copper braid.
Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511
Marc Wielage
May 6, 2012, 6:56:24 PM5/6/12
to
On Sun, 6 May 2012 06:39:24 -0700, mcp6453 wrote
(in article <KfqdnViMaKKR4jvS...@giganews.com>):
> The last time I looked for a premium grade XLR-to-Mini TS cable for a video
> camera, it was pretty easy to find some made with Switchcraft mini
connectors.
>------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<
This has become more of an issue these days because of companies like Red
using them in the Epic and Scarlet cameras. Neutrik and Switchcraft make
some really good right-angle stereo 3.5mm plugs that work OK.
In my case, if I'm sending a wireless mike feed to the camera (which is
typical these days), I go from TA3 (mini XLR) to 3.5mm TRS, just to avoid
using any adapters.
--MFW
(in article <KfqdnViMaKKR4jvS...@giganews.com>):
> The last time I looked for a premium grade XLR-to-Mini TS cable for a video
> camera, it was pretty easy to find some made with Switchcraft mini
connectors.
This has become more of an issue these days because of companies like Red
using them in the Epic and Scarlet cameras. Neutrik and Switchcraft make
some really good right-angle stereo 3.5mm plugs that work OK.
In my case, if I'm sending a wireless mike feed to the camera (which is
typical these days), I go from TA3 (mini XLR) to 3.5mm TRS, just to avoid
using any adapters.
--MFW
hank alrich
May 6, 2012, 8:22:00 PM5/6/12
to
http://redco.com/
--
shut up and play your guitar * http://hankalrich.com/
http://www.youtube.com/walkinaymusic
http://www.sonicbids.com/HankandShaidri
Arny Krueger
May 7, 2012, 9:45:08 AM5/7/12
to
> The last time I looked for a premium grade XLR-to-Mini TS cable for a
> video
> camera, it was pretty easy to find some made with Switchcraft mini
> connectors.
> Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff.
Markertek's home brand (Tecnec) cables have always served me well.
> video
> camera, it was pretty easy to find some made with Switchcraft mini
> connectors.
> Now, Markertek has its own brand (Tecnec) that I assume is good stuff.
They are generally among the most nicely and reasonably made cables around.
> Other dealers are selling Hosa, ProCo, and others. As a general rule,
> which companies
> make the best (pre-made) cables with high quality mini connectors?
mere excellence (IOW among the best) suffices.
I believe that the 3.5 mm Neutrik right angle plug is about as good as it
gets. While their right angle plug won't work in every socket, when it does
it tends to reduce strain on the socket.
Ty Ford
May 7, 2012, 9:56:09 AM5/7/12
to
On Sun, 6 May 2012 09:39:24 -0400, mcp6453 wrote
(in article <KfqdnViMaKKR4jvS...@giganews.com>):
Try Eric Toline in Florida.
audi...@bellsouth.net
954-255-7628
Regards,
Ty
Try my new blog; http://tyfordaudiovideo.blogspot.com/
Try my audio sample archive: http://tinyurl.com/796z25d
Try my gear reviews: http://tinyurl.com/79q797r
(in article <KfqdnViMaKKR4jvS...@giganews.com>):
audi...@bellsouth.net
954-255-7628
Regards,
Ty
Try my new blog; http://tyfordaudiovideo.blogspot.com/
Try my audio sample archive: http://tinyurl.com/796z25d
Try my gear reviews: http://tinyurl.com/79q797r
Scott Dorsey
May 7, 2012, 10:16:07 AM5/7/12
to
as those things go. But if you ask Markertek to make you up a custom one
with Switchcraft or Neutrik connectors, it won't cost much more than the
premade one.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
Bob Vaughan
May 25, 2012, 3:22:26 AM5/25/12
to
In article <jo631c$l4p$1...@dont-email.me>,
it's still a small connector. Avoid putting any strain on them.
My preference is to use Switchcraft or Canare plugs, and small diameter
cable (Belden 9452 works well).
I recently had a cheap 1/8" plug come apart on me on the first use while
plugged in to a portable device, much to my displeasure. Getting the tip
out of the jack was loads of fun. I really didn't want to have to replace
a MP3 player over a POS $0.99 connector.
On the XLR side, I have had the recent displeasure of working with a
snake with brand-X XLR's. The female XLR's on the box tend to latch onto
the mating connector, and refuse to release without help, which requires
that the connector be removed from the box, and small screwdrivers be
applied to convince it to release. Sometimes it simply refuses to release
under any circumstances. There is currently the shell of a NC3MX occupying
one of the connectors, and it looks like it will be there until I replace
that POS connector
The same facility also has a bunch of XLR cables, that were purchased from
a reputable source (no, I don't remember where. I didn't buy them.), and
were supposedly "premium" quality cables.
On the surface, they appear to be high quality. Neutrik connectors, Pro-Co
cable, etc.
However, they have one fatal flaw:
In the assembly process, they took a shortcut and soldered a brass tab
onto pin 1 of the connector, which is then crimped to the shield using
a brass collar around the cable. Pins 2 and 3 are properly soldered.
Over time, the tab becomes loose under the collar, causing pin 1 to be
intermittent.
This is a problem, since these cables are most frequently used for
intercom (Clearcom), and having an intermittent ground connection is
annoying, and sometimes painful.
>
>Geez, it's only a cable. Buy two or three. Or better yet,
>make your own. Then you'll know what goes into them.
>
--
-- Welcome My Son, Welcome To The Machine --
Bob Vaughan | techie@{w6yx|tantivy}.stanford.edu | tec...@tantivy.net
AF6RR | P.O. Box 19792, Stanford, Ca 94309 | 1-650-469-3850
-- I am Me, I am only Me, And no one else is Me, What could be simpler? --
Mike Rivers <mri...@d-and-d.com> wrote:
>
>They'r really all about the same. The 1/8" phone jack is
>hardly a high quality connector no matter who makes it, and
>XLRs are pretty much all the same as long as you're not the
>one assembling them. Contrary to Internet wisdom of 25 years
>ago, there's nothing wrong with Hosa cables. ProCo,
>Horizon/Rapco are good, as well as the ones from Markertek.
I'll agree about the 1/8" connector. No matter what you do to it,
>
>They'r really all about the same. The 1/8" phone jack is
>hardly a high quality connector no matter who makes it, and
>XLRs are pretty much all the same as long as you're not the
>one assembling them. Contrary to Internet wisdom of 25 years
>ago, there's nothing wrong with Hosa cables. ProCo,
>Horizon/Rapco are good, as well as the ones from Markertek.
it's still a small connector. Avoid putting any strain on them.
My preference is to use Switchcraft or Canare plugs, and small diameter
cable (Belden 9452 works well).
I recently had a cheap 1/8" plug come apart on me on the first use while
plugged in to a portable device, much to my displeasure. Getting the tip
out of the jack was loads of fun. I really didn't want to have to replace
a MP3 player over a POS $0.99 connector.
On the XLR side, I have had the recent displeasure of working with a
snake with brand-X XLR's. The female XLR's on the box tend to latch onto
the mating connector, and refuse to release without help, which requires
that the connector be removed from the box, and small screwdrivers be
applied to convince it to release. Sometimes it simply refuses to release
under any circumstances. There is currently the shell of a NC3MX occupying
one of the connectors, and it looks like it will be there until I replace
that POS connector
The same facility also has a bunch of XLR cables, that were purchased from
a reputable source (no, I don't remember where. I didn't buy them.), and
were supposedly "premium" quality cables.
On the surface, they appear to be high quality. Neutrik connectors, Pro-Co
cable, etc.
However, they have one fatal flaw:
In the assembly process, they took a shortcut and soldered a brass tab
onto pin 1 of the connector, which is then crimped to the shield using
a brass collar around the cable. Pins 2 and 3 are properly soldered.
Over time, the tab becomes loose under the collar, causing pin 1 to be
intermittent.
This is a problem, since these cables are most frequently used for
intercom (Clearcom), and having an intermittent ground connection is
annoying, and sometimes painful.
>
>Geez, it's only a cable. Buy two or three. Or better yet,
>make your own. Then you'll know what goes into them.
>
--
Bob Vaughan | techie@{w6yx|tantivy}.stanford.edu | tec...@tantivy.net
AF6RR | P.O. Box 19792, Stanford, Ca 94309 | 1-650-469-3850
-- I am Me, I am only Me, And no one else is Me, What could be simpler? --
Mike Rivers
May 25, 2012, 8:42:27 AM5/25/12
to
On 5/25/2012 3:22 AM, Bob Vaughan wrote:
> On the XLR side, I have had the recent displeasure of working with a
> snake with brand-X XLR's. The female XLR's on the box tend to latch onto
> the mating connector, and refuse to release without help
I've found stage boxes like that, too. Things were a lot
> On the XLR side, I have had the recent displeasure of working with a
> snake with brand-X XLR's. The female XLR's on the box tend to latch onto
> the mating connector, and refuse to release without help
better when the only XLR connectors were Cannon and
Switchcraft. Apparently nowadays, anything goes with
dimensions and tolerances.
mcp6453
May 25, 2012, 8:50:03 AM5/25/12
to
On 5/25/2012 8:42 AM, Mike Rivers wrote:
> On 5/25/2012 3:22 AM, Bob Vaughan wrote:
>
>> On the XLR side, I have had the recent displeasure of working with a
>> snake with brand-X XLR's. The female XLR's on the box tend to latch onto
>> the mating connector, and refuse to release without help
>
> I've found stage boxes like that, too. Things were a lot better when the only
> XLR connectors were Cannon and Switchcraft. Apparently nowadays, anything goes
> with dimensions and tolerances.
Reports like this are why I have stuck almost exclusively with Switchcraft. Even
> On 5/25/2012 3:22 AM, Bob Vaughan wrote:
>
>> On the XLR side, I have had the recent displeasure of working with a
>> snake with brand-X XLR's. The female XLR's on the box tend to latch onto
>> the mating connector, and refuse to release without help
>
> I've found stage boxes like that, too. Things were a lot better when the only
> XLR connectors were Cannon and Switchcraft. Apparently nowadays, anything goes
> with dimensions and tolerances.
though Neutrik is probably a great connector, and it is certainly used by many
reputable companies, Switchcraft has never failed me. Some of my connectors are
40 years old. I don't use enough new ones that the price differential is a factor.
Scott Dorsey
May 25, 2012, 8:56:19 AM5/25/12
to
mcp6453 <mcp...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>Reports like this are why I have stuck almost exclusively with Switchcraft. Even
>though Neutrik is probably a great connector, and it is certainly used by many
>reputable companies, Switchcraft has never failed me. Some of my connectors are
>40 years old. I don't use enough new ones that the price differential is a factor.
The Neutriks are as good as the Switchcrafts (although they have had a couple
>
>Reports like this are why I have stuck almost exclusively with Switchcraft. Even
>though Neutrik is probably a great connector, and it is certainly used by many
>reputable companies, Switchcraft has never failed me. Some of my connectors are
>40 years old. I don't use enough new ones that the price differential is a factor.
mistakes in the past). The Amphenols and Alcatels are in the same league.
But there is some real absolute crap out there. And you can always get
Switchcrafts... everybody carries them and they are a known quantity.
I'm about to drive off to a festival... and I know the rental company...
and one of the things I am dreading are crappy XLRs...
MG
May 25, 2012, 6:39:15 PM5/25/12
to
"Scott Dorsey" <klu...@panix.com> wrote in message
news:jpnvhj$ki7$1...@panix2.panix.com...
pulling them apart by cable abuse, which happens to Switchcrafts as well.
we find that their construction makes them easier to repair on the fly.
>
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