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XLR-Cables

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Sardon
Wannabe
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Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 6
Location: Finland
XLR-Cables

Okay. At least I think this question belongs in here.

When you look at XLR cables end you see numbers 1, 2 and 3 I think those are +, - and ground am I right this far?

Now the real question is. Wich of the 1, 2 and 3 are +, - and ground?

This would be good to know if you're going to try some weird recording techniques like using a speaker as a microphone or modifying an old phone to a microphone.

Also. I only have speakers that have only two cords coming out of them. What do I do with the ground of the XLR-cable?

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:49 pm 
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uncle_jerr
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Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 410
Location: Illinois

Ok, first, XLR specs: 1=ground, 2=positive, 3=negative.

Next, beware of impedence differences in mic, instrument, and speaker cables. Don't use a mic cable for a speaker, etc.

Third. When a conection has three terminals, it's balanced (XLR, 1/4in TRS). When it has two, it's unbalanced (guitar cable, some speaker cable). So if you need to make an adapter cable, just go ahead and combine the +/-, and leave the ground separate. For example, XLR to 1/4 inch would be: pins 2 and 3 from the XLR both connected to the tip of the 1/4in, and pin 1 would go to the sleeve.

happy soldering!

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:44 pm 
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Sardon
Wannabe
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Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 6
Location: Finland

What's the difference between mic-cable and speaker-cable? I mean they both are XLR-cables?

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:36 pm 
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uncle_jerr
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Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 410
Location: Illinois
cabling

XLR is simply the connection type.
microphones, speakers, and AES/EBU all use XLR conections, but do not use the same type of cable.
I think the main diference is in gauge. Speaker cable is usually about 16 gauge, mic cable is about 22-24, instrument cable is around 20.
Also, materials can vary. Most common are copper and nickel.
Pay attention to shielding as well.

any help?

Post Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:29 am 
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BlueBearSound
Engineer
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Joined: Jun 04, 2005
Posts: 218
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Just a side note -

12 or 14-guage is MUCH preferable for speaker cable, and are unshielded/ungrounded.
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Post Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:42 pm 
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AC
Chief
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Joined: Oct 31, 2002
Posts: 1061
Noise

Just to jump in and add a lil something for him.

Speaker level signals use a + and a - to carry the signal, there is no need for a "screen" as the signal level is so high compared to any induced noise, it is not necessary to remove noise.

Also using multi-strand speaker cable is preferable to avoid the "skin" effect (reduction in HF), caused by not enough surface area (HF sticks to the outside of a conductor), lots of strands means more skin.

In microphones or instruments a "screen" or noise remover is essential as the signal level is very low (particularly in a mic).
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Post Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:48 pm 
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