1/4 inch vs XLR cables

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
paulmpianist
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 43
  • Joined: 2004/05/30 00:29:38
  • Location: Annandale Virginia
  • Status: offline
2012/06/10 23:13:15 (permalink)

1/4 inch vs XLR cables






I got a good price on an 8 pack of 1/4 x XLR cables but I only needed a couple. So one day when I was trouble shooting some 1/4 inch cables or I forgot one or something.. I grabbed a 1/4 inch x XLR cable and plugged the 1/4 inch jacks into the outs of my PA500 and the XLR into the "mic" input of my Yamaha 2000 powered mixer. I have the option to plug a 1/4 inch line level jack into the 1/4 inch jack or the XLR. So WOW ... I had to turn the gain down on the channels using XLR and I had my Master Volume fader on my keyboard way down low and I was getting really a hot signal. 
So what's up with that? Next I did the same thing at home because I have 8 channels on the front of my Aardvark Q-10 and I think they're called Neutrick if they accomadate either 1/4 or XLR jacks. In any case that's what they are and again I have a hot signal and low noise. 




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI3_ykb-HtQ
post edited by paulmpianist - 2012/06/10 23:20:12
#1

5 Replies Related Threads
    Kalle Rantaaho
    Max Output Level: -5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 7005
    • Joined: 2006/01/09 13:07:59
    • Location: Finland
    • Status: offline
    Re:1/4 inch vs XLR cables 2012/06/11 01:41:51 (permalink)
    Are the 1/4 plugs TRS-type (=stereo)? Could it be they are balanced and earlier you have used unbalanced connections. A balanced one gives hotter signal, but I'm not sure that would explain such big difference that you're describing.

    SONAR PE 8.5.3, Asus P5B, 2,4 Ghz Dual Core, 4 Gb RAM, GF 7300, EMU 1820, Bluetube Pre  -  Kontakt4, Ozone, Addictive Drums, PSP Mixpack2, Melda Creative Pack, Melodyne Plugin etc.
    The benefit of being a middle aged amateur is the low number of years of frustration ahead of you.
    #2
    Beagle
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 50621
    • Joined: 2006/03/29 11:03:12
    • Location: Fort Worth, TX
    • Status: offline
    Re:1/4 inch vs XLR cables 2012/06/11 08:56:00 (permalink)
    the only reason I can think of that would cause that would be if you had a problem with the XLR cable.  there could be several differnt things wrong with the cable to cause that, but bottom line is that an XLR cable and a 1/4" TRS cable should act no differently in the manner you are describing.

    note:  however, most mic preamps/soundcards with pres will not turn phantom power on for 1/4" inserts into a combo jack.  that still would not make the problem you're describing appear that way, tho, it might do the opposite.

    http://soundcloud.com/beaglesound/sets/featured-songs-1
    i7, 16G DDR3, Win10x64, MOTU Ultralite Hybrid MK3
    Yamaha MOXF6, Hammond XK3c, other stuff.
    #3
    Shadow of The Wind
    Max Output Level: -82 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 425
    • Joined: 2005/06/09 17:39:20
    • Location: Mountain View, CA (German)
    • Status: offline
    Re:1/4 inch vs XLR cables 2012/06/11 09:56:31 (permalink)
    The mic inputs have a much higher sensitivity than line inputs. On most mixers, the XLR input expect mic signals and the line inputs line level signals.
    As long as you source can driver the (typically) lower input impedance of the mic input, you will get all the additional gain of the microphone pre-amp.

    Wilko
    #4
    paulmpianist
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 43
    • Joined: 2004/05/30 00:29:38
    • Location: Annandale Virginia
    • Status: offline
    Re:1/4 inch vs XLR cables 2012/06/11 09:56:55 (permalink)
    Thank You Calle and Beagle for the replies.. .. everything on the 1/4 inch jacks is TIP/SLEEVE no ring. I went over it again this time with a good gold 1/4 inch cable and tried the Korg PA500 and a Novation Supernova II... same results. I really like it though. The hotter signal means less noise. I think.  I mean I can have all the gains in the channel down a little lower and the instrument up a little more. But it is a very substantial differnce in the signal.  
       I WAS using these 1/4 inch recording snakes which I thought were really cool because you have 8 multi colored cables wrapped in a hose. I would slit the hose so I could fan the cables out to 4 stereo pairs. I did that to a couple of snakes. But some of the individual cables were duds sometimes and now that I am finding XLR is giving me a much better signal I'm going to start over.
      I understand the XLR shouldn't necesarily produce a better signal but I'm not going to argue with the channel lights jumping way higher in my mixing console and the much louder results in my headphones. I like it but I don't understand it and I haven't found an exception to this  yet. 

      thanks again.  If I come up with anything new on it.. i'll be back. 
    #5
    paulmpianist
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 43
    • Joined: 2004/05/30 00:29:38
    • Location: Annandale Virginia
    • Status: offline
    Re:1/4 inch vs XLR cables 2012/06/11 10:00:56 (permalink)
    Thanks Wilko... that probably explains it on the Yamaha mixer in which there are two seperate inputs for 1/4 and XLR, but on my Aardvark which has phantom power, you have to push a button to make the phantom power light come on.  In any case I'm going with XLR  as often as I have the option.  I really like the better signal a lot. 
    #6
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1