Are these XLR/1/4" cables ok to use?

[crzydrummerdude]

I was about to buy 4 mic cables, because I am going to use 2 mics to mic my drums. So each mic will have one XLR cable going from the mic to the external phantom power supply, and another going from the phantom power supply to my TASCAM 414 MKII, since it has 2 XLR inputs.

But then I found these cables that have an XLR connector on one side and a 1/4" connector on the other side. Can I buy two of these to go from the outputs of the phantom power supply to the 1/4" inputs of my TASCAM? I don't understand the whole balanced, unbalanced cable thing, but will I get a bad sound, or will it even be able to work?

I found two types of these cables: a "high impedance" and a "low impendance" (whatever that means). Which "impendance" cable should I get if I were to use these?

Here they are:
http://www.music123.com/Rapco-M-High-Z-Microphone-Cable-i13927.music http://www.music123.com/Fender-Electro-Volt-Mic-Cable-Lo-Z-i44759.music

Would I just be better off hooking the mics up to the XLR inputs on my TASCAM? With these hybrid cables, I could hook up more mics to the TASCAM since it has 4 1/4" inputs.


Advice?

 

[nickjc]

I am new also

hi,

I am new to this also, but I am using xlr to 1/4" cables and they are working fine. as far as balanced/unbalanced cables go, you don't need balanced cables unless the signal is travelling a long distance (ie. over 20 metres).

I think there is negligable difference in sound quality between xlr to xlr and xlr to 1/4", but as always, if someone knows better . . .

 

[c7sus]

You want LOW impedence balanced cables.

You'll want balanced cables for anything going much past 10'.

The high-Z cable is for low-end dynamics.

The low-Z cable you have the link for doesn't look to be balanced.

It should have a TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) plug for balanced operation.

 

[crzydrummerdude]

http://www.music123.com/Hosa-Audio-Cable--1-4--Male-to-XLR-Male-i26943.music

Here is a XLR male to 1/4" male balanced cable made by Hosa. Will this work for just simply going from the phantom power supply to the inputs to my TASCAM? Is Hosa any good?

Thanks.

 

[crzydrummerdude]

Hosa also makes an XLR female to 1/4" male balanced cable. Will I need a male or female XLR to plug it into the output of my phantom power?

EDIT: Nevermind, I found out. I need a female XLR to hook the cable up to my phantom power.