balanced mics

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jonmhammond

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When plugging a condenser microphone into a mixer, I understand that the cable must be balanced. Does this mean that you can't use an XLR to 1/4" cable?
 
It does need to be balanced if it is a condenser, as a microphone input with phantom power (required for most condensers) will be an XLR (balanced) input. Sooooo... use an XLR cable. If it is what's called an "electret" condenser, it can be powered with batteries (usually 9V) and can technically be connected to a 1/4" input with an adapter, but is not preferable. Hope that helps.

-Chris
 
Most mics send out a balanced signal and it's never a good idea to use 1/4 inputs. Most 1/4' inputs on mixers are not real mic preamps anyway.

There are exceptions on some types of gear but in general mic cables should always be xlr-xlr.
 
Balanced Mics

1. You can use XLR to XLR cables for mics or XLR to TRS cables.
2. Phantom powered condensor mics must us XLR (female) to XLR (male). To my knowledge, phantom power does not work on XLR to TRS (TRS plugs are 1/4") connections.

Anybody out there have any info on this?
 
Thanks for for all your answers. I've come to understand (I think) that going from xlr to quarter inch does "work" but not at the mic's optimum capabilities. My bg 4.1 condenser mic provides its own phantom power, which may enable it to function with a 1/4" jack (though probably not as well as it should). However, does anybody know if there's a way to keep the circuit balanced since my mixer hasn't got any xlr inputs?

jon
 
What kind of mixer is it?

Most mixers have balanced XLR inputs and balanced 1/4" (TRS) inputs.

Since your mic supplies its own power it should work with an XLR to 1/4" TRS cable connection if your mixer has balanced TRS inputs.

There are also adapter possibilities. You can purchase an XLR to 1/4" adapter if need be.
 
TexRoadkill said:
Most mics send out a balanced signal and it's never a good idea to use 1/4 inputs. Most 1/4' inputs on mixers are not real mic preamps anyway.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm...Almost always, if you look on the block diagram schematic, you will see that the "Line Input" does in fact route through the mic preamp on the console, they just usually have at least a -20 PAD installed on that input to keep the line level signal from clipping the input of the mic preamp.

I have found it RARE to find consoles in the "budget" range that actually just use a OP amp on the Line Input!

Thought that should be cleared up because many mistakenly think that going into the Line Input on a mixer bypasses the mic preamp. In most cases, it DOESN'T.

The advice about not converting a balanced mic line to unbalanced is great advice. It almost always sounds quieter and more noise is introduced into the signal path. You can buy decent quality XLR cables for $15!!! Go get one.

Ed
 
I thought I should add that the bg 4.1 is a "electret" condensor, thus, can be powered with a battery. If you MUST use the mic with a 1/4" cable, the only way you can supply power to the mic is via a battery. If you use an XLR cable instead, you can supply power to the mic via the phantom power on your mixer, IF it supplies phantom power (most every mixer made in the last 4 years does.)

Ed
 
sonusman said:
Hmmmm...Almost always, if you look on the block diagram schematic, you will see that the "Line Input" does in fact route through the mic preamp on the console, they just usually have at least a -20 PAD installed on that input to keep the line level signal from clipping the input of the mic preamp.

I have found it RARE to find consoles in the "budget" range that actually just use a OP amp on the Line Input!

Thought that should be cleared up because many mistakenly think that going into the Line Input on a mixer bypasses the mic preamp. In most cases, it DOESN'T.

The advice about not converting a balanced mic line to unbalanced is great advice. It almost always sounds quieter and more noise is introduced into the signal path. You can buy decent quality XLR cables for $15!!! Go get one.

Ed
Click to expand...

There is always an exception. Good point about the line input not bypassing the preamp. In this case though if there is a line input (probably unbalanced) going through a mic preamp then there is most likely an XLR input right next to it. Might as well use the XLR.

Too many budget guys think they can use the extra stereo line channels for more mics. Those usually do not have mic preamps.
 
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