Unbalanced mic cables- 2488

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jgank

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alright, I have 4 drum mics which I plug into the 4 XLR inputs on the 2488. I have four other (fairly cheap) dynamic mics. I have no cables for those mics, because the only four XLR cables go to the drum mics. So, because the 2488 only has 4 XLR inputs, I'm getting some mic cables that are XLR - 1/4inch. I am really not good with the electronic side of things...but these mics cables are unbalanced. I read that for longer cables, itd be better to have balanced mic cables, because of the elminiation of noise and such...but these are just 10 foot mic cables that shouldnt pick up too much noise... my question is, are these cable going to be okay for plugging into the 1/4inch inputs on the 2488? I'm not expecting crystal clear sound... I just dont want to hurt the mixer. Thanks
 
You should have got 4 TRS adapters with the 2488. They go from XLR to 1/4". I got them when I bought mine new, but I don't know if you got yours brand new in a box.
 
RAMI said:
You should have got 4 TRS adapters with the 2488. They go from XLR to 1/4". I got them when I bought mine new, but I don't know if you got yours brand new in a box.
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I didnt get those...not sure why.
Id like to have all 8 mics plugged in at once. With only 4 XLR's ill need atleast 4 that need to be 1/4 so rather than by XLR to XLR, and then some adaptors, i decided to get 4 XLR to 1/4 because it was a really good deal. Will unbalanced cables hurt it?
 
I'm reading online that mixing unbalanced/balanced things will not cause damage- it just comprimises the sound a bit. As short as these cables are, I think I'll be okay......
 
jgank said:
I'm reading online that mixing unbalanced/balanced things will not cause damage- it just comprimises the sound a bit. As short as these cables are, I think I'll be okay......
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It'll only compromise the sound if you use long cables like over 25' long. Also, if I remember right you won't be getting phantom power on the trs inputs so put your condensor mics on the first four channels. Make sure you don't plug and unplug the mics with the phantom power on, that will cause damage.:eek:
 
NYMorningstar said:
It'll only compromise the sound if you use long cables like over 25' long. Also, if I remember right you won't be getting phantom power on the trs inputs so put your condensor mics on the first four channels. Make sure you don't plug and unplug the mics with the phantom power on, that will cause damage.:eek:
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Thanks so much!

Yeah, I only have two condensor mics and i have to unplug and replug the drum mic cables all the time which is getting to be a pain. I can stand having all those cables stung about everywhere. Thanks for the tip on Phantom power!
Just a quick side question- Phantom Power, when turned on on the 2488, is turned on for the first four inputs, you cant pick and choose. That being said, if i have my condensors on the A and B input, and dynamics on the C and D inputs, I'll need Phantom Power for the condensors...will that hurt the dynamics? I've read that it won't hurt them.
I'm new here so if i should be posting this under a new thread, just tell me and Ii will.
 
No, not at all. That's why it's called "Phantom" power. It's there if you need it, and not there if you don't.
 
alright, i got the cables, plugged them in- nothing. i tried 4 different mics, 3 amps, and my 2488, all i get is a hum. its sounds as if the connection between the mic and the cable is not hitting because the hum is the same whether i have a mic plugged in or not. the same sort of sound as when you plug a guitar cable into an amp with no guitar. i tried all 4 cables that came too. am i doing something wrong or did i get bad cables?

also- touching on the phantom power question- i have one mic cable thats kinda sketchy, it take a little jiggle to get it to come in right. im assume i would be wise not to use this on a condensor mic with phantom power on...?
 
Exacty what kind of cables are they? XLR >> 1/4" TRS? If so, I can't think of why they don't work. Make sure that you are assigning your inputs to tracks.....

That iffy mic cable: For sure don't use it on a condenser mic. May as well just throw it in the trash if you can't repair it.
 
The thing I find weird, and I may be an idiot (in fact there's a good chance), is that a mic cable shouldn't hum the way a 1/4" cable would either way, would it???
 
Look at the cable and make sure it is the right one. There are xlr cables that end in a 1/4" t/s only, which is not the same as 1/4" t/r/s.
 
The jacks on the 2488 for input channels E - H are 1/4" TRS balanced jacks. They'll be wanting a balanced TRS plug, I think.
 
That diagram helped alot...the problem was that pin one needed jumpered to pin 3 like in the second picture. I'm pretty sure that would have fixed it. Oh well, I just exchanged them for one that were wired properly. The guy said that the majority of mics work without that jumper, meaning, using only two wires. Is that true? None of my mics, or my friends mics worked, and I thought they were pretty common.
 
Oh, and I took that iffy mic cable apart to see how it was wired and compare it with the xlr- 1/4", and while it was apart i fixed it up a bit and got it working good. Still going to throw a different cable on the condensor, though. Phantom power makes me so nervous that I'm going to forget and unplug something
 
jgank said:
That diagram helped alot...the problem was that pin one needed jumpered to pin 3 like in the second picture. I'm pretty sure that would have fixed it. Oh well, I just exchanged them for one that were wired properly. The guy said that the majority of mics work without that jumper, meaning, using only two wires. Is that true? None of my mics, or my friends mics worked, and I thought they were pretty common.
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The dynamic mics will work but not the condensor mics because the third pin supplies the phantom power.
 
none of mine worked. I didnt even plug in the Condenser because those 1/4" jack don't have phantom power even available on the 2488. My dynamic drum mics and stage vocal mics didnt work, either
 
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