Microphone cable & impedance question

[studiodrum]

Hey Guys, I was wondering if someone can explain briefly the difference between a low and hi impedance microphone. . . I have a few cheapo mics that I would like to use with my mixer, but I'm not sure what type of mic cable or which mic inputs they will work best with. . .

I have an Audio Technica ART30 mic, . (which I believe is low-impedance) http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/05ac1f3e6868662d/index.html . . with an XLR to 1/4" cable, . . .and I would like to swap out the mic cable, and use an XLR to XLR cable, . .will this work, or will I need a transformer?

Also, the mixing board that I'm using has a LINE IN (phono plug) Inputs and an XLR Input on each channel, . . If I decide to use this low impedance mic with the original XLR to 1/4" cable, . . will the Mic work best in the LINE IN phono input?

sorry for the stupid questions, . I'm just not sure. . . Thanks

 

[soundchaser59]

Usually the XLR-to-1/4 inch things are hi impedance. They suffer with lack of frequency range and lack of clarity. An example is the Shure "Green Bullet" hi Z mic that is intended to plug into a guitar amp for mic'ing harmonica. Mics on public address or ham radios are also usually hi Z.

This is the best description I could find for ATR30:

Audio-Technica offers this ATR30 stereo unidirectional dynamic vocal/instrument microphone. It is ideal to use and offers the convenience of high-quality stereo pickup in a single microphone. ATR30 is designed especially for both vocal and instrument input and has a unidirectional polar pattern that rejects undesirable off-axis sound and background noise.

I confess I am puzzled how a mic can be both "unidirectional" and "stereo." But none of the descriptions say if it is actually Hi Z or not....

 

[chance]

Try just using just a standard XLR mic cable. You won't hurt anything. I have seen many mics that will work as a Hi & Lo imp. The only difference is the wire to pin#1 (on the XLR connector of your cable) is connected to the shield wire at the 1/4" end of the cable. Un screw the cover of the 1/4" plug on your cable, and you should see what I am saying