1/4" Jack VS XLR

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cwailit

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I recently bought a microphone and is hooked up with my 1204fx mixer. I found lots of hiss sound when i plug in using 1/4" jack. My friend told me to get a XLR instead of using jack.
Before i buy it, my question is, will the hiss sound reduce with XLR? I'm using Shure SM57 dynamic mic by the way.
I'm trying to record only for vocal. Should i get another condensor mic instead?
 
Is it a balanced (TRS) jack cable, or unbalanced (TS)?

i.e. top or bottom...?
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cwailit said:
I recently bought a microphone and is hooked up with my 1204fx mixer. I found lots of hiss sound when i plug in using 1/4" jack. My friend told me to get a XLR instead of using jack.
Before i buy it, my question is, will the hiss sound reduce with XLR? I'm using Shure SM57 dynamic mic by the way.
I'm trying to record only for vocal. Should i get another condensor mic instead?
Click to expand...

Start by getting the XLR cord, you'll notice an improvement.
If you want a condenser microphone for your vocals you should try to audition some if you can at local music stores.
In the mean time read up on the stickys in the microphone section of this forum.
depends on how much money you have to spend but start with the thread about *microphones that just might work for you for under $100.*








:cool:
 
The 1/4" inputs are designed for line level sources, not microphones. Switch to XLR and the signal will improve significantly. As for condenser mics, first verify that the mixer has phantom power. I did a quick Google and looked at the specs and phantom power is not mentioned at all. :(
 
Is it a balanced (TRS) jack cable, or unbalanced (TS)? i.e. top or bottom...?

MattR, mine looks like the bottom one...is it TS??
 
In the meantime, i think i need to get a XLR. For condensor mic, still need to survey for it. Any recommendation?? I heard that condensor mic is very sensitive. I make music in my apartment. Will it capture sounds from next door as well? By the way, Richard King, my mixer has a phantom power. Is a Behringer Xenyx 1204fx.
 
A) Yes (on the cable), you don't have a choice here -- You're plugging a mic-level source into a line-level input. That has to stop.

B) Yes, the typical condenser is going to be freakishly more sensitive and will clearly pick up every errant noise in the space with wonderful clarity (which is only one reason why they're not the best choice on many applications). Dynamics are more than fine - Although the 57 doesn't really make an ideal vocal mic...
 
Richard King said:
The 1/4" inputs are designed for line level sources, not microphones. Switch to XLR and the signal will improve significantly. As for condenser mics, first verify that the mixer has phantom power. I did a quick Google and looked at the specs and phantom power is not mentioned at all. :(
Click to expand...

It does have phantom power...
 
In that case you are all set to use condenser mics plugged into the XLR jacks. Enjoy.
 
looks like i don't have a choice here at the moment except getting a XLR with my SM57. Hope it will reduce the maximum of hissing noise...Thanks everyone.
 
I'm not sure you understand what's going on here... You're currently so far off the mark that it's a surprise that you're even really getting any sound in. "100% wrong" connection.

Using the proper connection isn't about reducing hiss (although I'm sure it will), it's simply not the "100% wrong" way to do it. It's a microphone - It needs to be connected to a microphone preamp (period - Needs to be - End of story) to even have the hope of working properly.
 
Unless your neighbors have wild jungle sex all day, get a condenser mic! If you're recording at 24 bits there's no reason you can't turn the pre amp down and get closer to the mic when recording. Make sure to use a vocal screen though, condenser mics are very sensitive to moisture. But if noise is an issue try turning your closet into a vocal booth.
 
cwailit said:
MattR, mine looks like the bottom one...is it TS??
Click to expand...

doesn't matter ..... regardless of which one he uses the 1/4" jack is for line signals and doesn't run thru the mic pre.
Gotta go with the XLR here.
 
cwailit said:
I recently bought a microphone and is hooked up with my 1204fx mixer. I found lots of hiss sound when i plug in using 1/4" jack. My friend told me to get a XLR instead of using jack.
Before i buy it, my question is, will the hiss sound reduce with XLR? I'm using Shure SM57 dynamic mic by the way.
I'm trying to record only for vocal. Should i get another condensor mic instead?
Click to expand...

Read what Massive Master said.

Whether you should get a condenser and whether the SM57 is a good enough mic for what you want (it usually isn't, but sometimes can be) depends upon what you're trying to achieve musically.

A condenser is seriously sensitive and the "correct" answer to your mic dilemma might be a better dynamic, depending upon your musical style.

Allans in Pitt St have a reasonable selection for you to think about, and Sound Devices in Sussex St has just about everything you could ever want, but isn't widely known about in Newbie Land.

A little more info about what you're trying to achieve might help.

And yes on the XLR lead.

Cheers
 
Lt. Bob said:
doesn't matter ..... regardless of which one he uses the 1/4" jack is for line signals and doesn't run thru the mic pre.
Gotta go with the XLR here.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression the a 1/4 inch TRS is the same as XLR as far as signal goes. :confused:

no?
 
Dogbreath said:
I was under the impression the a 1/4 inch TRS is the same as XLR as far as signal goes. :confused:

no?
Click to expand...
There is no difference in how the signal is transfered, but the 1/4 input on his mixer is a line input. That is his problem. He needs to use the xlr to plug the mic into the mic preamp.

All things being equal, there is no electrical difference between an xlr and a TRS. Of course, xlr has a locking mechanism and is built so the ground touches first, so it is more useful in some situations.
 
Lt. Bob said:
it doesn't go thru the mic pre.

:)
Click to expand...

I don't know that that's always the case. I stated that here a few years ago and was corrected by several of the regulars. I was told on a lot of mixers, if it's a channel that has a pre and a line-in, they just attenuate the line-in, and it still goes thru the pre. That's why the gain pot adjusts the input level. On 'stereo channels' where there's ONLY the line-in's, there's no gain control.
 
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