Can you combine multiple XLR cables?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 сер 2024
- XLR balanced interconnects are the best sounding connections between stereo equipment when high performance audio is concerned. But what if you do not have the proper length of cable? Can you connect two or more? Have a question you want to ask Paul? www.psaudio.com/ask-paul/
I have finished my memoir! You can go read it now: www.amazon.com/gp/product/173... It's called 99% True and it is chock full of adventures, debauchery, struggles, heartwarming stories, triumphs and failures, great belly laughs, and a peek inside the high-end audio industry you've never known before.
I plan a few surprises for early adopters, so go to www.paulmcgowan.com and add your name to the list of interested readers. There's an entire gallery of never before seen photos too. - Наука та технологія
Just what I needed to hear! I want to reroute my hifi equipment and def don’t want to have to exchange my two high end cables for one at a huge loss with very little sonic gain. Much appreciated
Brilliant, thank you. I'm a drummer who does backing vocals and I was looking at wired headset mics, and they all seem to only come with 2m cables so this was the exact answer I was looking for. I don't do enough shows to justify 3 times the price for wireless
I'm Mr. Meeseeks look at my XLR cables!!!
well, he roped me into this!
I'm Mr. Meseseeks look at me ! Your dream or your Life .
Mr. Meeseeks help me get more resolution out of this DAC
Thank you. You make me smile. Such a nice, reassuring delivery with concise information. Subbed!
Clear, informative, and fun to watch. Subscribed, thanks for the info!
Great video! Got here looking for a simple answer and ended up learning very interesting stuff, and of course, got the answer I was looking for. Thanks!
Thank you for the help. I needed a right angle male to straight female cable. Got a Balanced Extension for my XLR Mic.
Thank you for clearing this up!
what a super video and answered my question perfectly....thank you so much
Thanks for the info and for making me chuckle ❤
another great video i truly leatn alot in all videos you make keep them coming thank you
Great explanation thanks!
Great explanation. Thanks!
i love the explanation 👍🏼
Finally another human who appreciates the creepiness of our standard male/female nomenclature!
This man knows his stuff. You can answer that question from an engineering perspective. I would not recommend connecting cheap low quality xlr cables in a chain though, only the high quality ones in my opinion. Check the wire gauge, shielding, soldering and connectors for a good high quality cable.
Paul I love ya but it only took :10 seconds to see Mr. Meeseeks.... love it....all the best my friend.
I think it largely comes down to the quality of the connectors and the consistency of impedance in the cable segments.
If the connectors are top notch and the impedance is consistent along the run, the two segments effectively become one longer run with the combined cable characteristics (resistance, inductance, parasitic capacitance) of the two segments. As always, interconnect quality counts. My preference is to build interconnects from scratch with excellent connectors and overspecified cable. The Grateful Dead used a lot of Belden #83393 (single pair 20AWG tinned copper with aluminized polyester shield) and that's what fed Jerry's McIntosh MC-2300.
I guess that wouldn't matter much if the cables are from the same batch?
If a manufacturers cable is even 97% consistent, would the difference be perceptible?
Thanks! Now I know! I always hesitate in doing couplers thinking the hum interference will get in that bridge connections 😂 Like someone sneaking in open door 😂
I've done that many times, joined 2 or more XLR cables together, temporarily if I needed a longer cable than what I had with me.
Thank you for making this video! You absolutely answered my exact question, is it sonically acceptable to 'daisy chain' XLR cables. I was torn whether to purchase two 50' or one 100' XLR cable(s). The reason is I don't always need 100' so I'm thinking its easier to manage a 50' cable which I would normally use and add the second 50' when (if) needed. Thank you!!
I do it all the time too, but..... the shield in SOME XLR cables is only connected at one end (to avoid ground loops?) and connecting them together interrupts the shield connection.
Never thought about it much and when repairing cables , I just remake the connections the way I found them. I do think it's a little odd, never seemed to be a problem.
what i wouldnt give for twice the length!
Thanks alot :)
My Stellar Gain Cell DAC has connections for XLR cables, but my amp doesn't. I'm looking forward to the day when I get a NEW power amp that has them. I would imagine the difference would be noticeable. And a +6 db boost as well. Right now, I'm using the best RCA cables I can afford.
If you have tape decks with XLR in/out can you use xlr out to xlr in to record tape to tape between tape decks? Or does the cable need some sort of power source to push the signals? I have several Tascam tape decks and want to test the inputs/outputs. Thanks!
Thanks legend!
At last I know what balanced cables are now although it's not the actual cables which are balanced is it ..it's the signal..Cars electrical systems use a similar system with 2 wires twisted together for the network, signals , low/high for the same interference cancelling reasons...
Thanks
I've seen a guy recording musicians with two microphones feeding into a Y shaped splitter feeding a single XLR cable and at the other end, another Y shaped splitter cable feeding into a 2 track portable recorder. Phantom power was been fed to both microphones from the recorder. How would the XLR cables have been wired ? Thanks
Well duh, in pro audio we extend XLR cables all the time... 🤷🏼♂️ But we try to minimize it over longer distances due to connectors being the weakest link in terms of picking up noise, degrading the signal and for outdoor use: often being less compliant to IP67+ standards.
IP67 is waterproofing right? Are standard XLRs waterproof?
Can you used a y xlr cable to make 2 speaker work from Dj controller
if you split 1 mic into 2 different (main and monitors) mixer boards does that not cause an electrical problem because of different gain stage seettings on each board?
I am new to wireless microphones have always used powered mixer and Sure SM58 mics with passive speakers. I want to buy wireless microphone (4 total) there are 4 XLR connections on back, I also want to buy something along the line of a column array speaker setup. Can I connect all these mics to one input on the speaker for Karaoke use? If so how and is the sound quality degraded?
May I branch balanced (XLR) audio transmission?
Cheers from Indonesia
You only need common mode rejection when your cables are long ... 300 feet and more. At that point your cables risk becoming transmission lines and impedance mismatch is more of an issue IMO. I use unbalanced cables for my mono signals daily but I only need 10 feet or less. My noise issues are limited to ground loops from a few devices that are 5V USB powered and my fairly noisy ADC.
What about your regular open ended cables?... I'm currently reworking the way I have two surrounds set up and it makes me have to basically "throw out" the existing length of cable and get longer cables of the same instead. It's not that it's extremely expensive (a joke of a cost to most enthusiasts for sure) and it's not like the replaced cable is wasted (can use it for something else later), but it's still a bit excessive to have to buy the same again but longer. - Is it OK to extend them with some kind of coupler? If so, what kind of coupler?... I don't know if there would be any disturbance right in the middle of a cable somewhere. - Also, should I keep the lengths relatively the same? - Because I have the two cables for the two surrounds going to one of the speakers, but then one of them goes on, takes a turn towards the other speaker, which adds another 11 feet or so. Even with the shorter cables in the current setup one of the surround speakers seems to be way lower in volume, which I've tweaked with the pan-feature within the receiver. - But the cables are definitely good enough quality and thick enough, so I find that weird. According to calculations there should be no loss, but yet there's quite a difference in volume or signal for some reason. Perhaps the amplifier struggles, though the amplifier is fairly beefy and speakers aren't hard to drive. - So I don't quite get what's going on other than knowing that the cable-length is quite different.
This is hardly even a problem TBH. If you're using a something like Cloudlifter CL-1 or a Triton Fethead in the middle of the signal chain, you're essentially combining two XLR cables anyways. Only difference is these mic preamps like the Triton Fethead require 48 V Phantom Power, which does not get passed to the microphone. I've used the Triton Fethead more often since switching to handheld dynamic microphones like the Samson Q2U and SE Electronics V7.
XLR is the better way to go as it does minimize noise but it requires double the circuitry to do it right. My preamp would have to have double the number of tubes to do that which isn't really practical. Unbalanced RCA's can sound just as good as long as you don't have a noise problem. I once rewired a Linn turntable for balanced but you had to have the right preamp to work with that.
1. What is The Maximum Length For XLR Cables without reducing the Sound Quality? 5M-10M-15M?
2. Longer the Cable.....is The Sound Quality Reduce?
Do keep in mind that the XLR Cable and connections is an almost 70-year old design:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector
Standards pertaining to are listed in the Wiki
While we can all speak of how great it is do always keep in mind the history of this thing.
Is it possible to connect 2 10meters cables to connect a mic to a mixer?
@@syaz4380 I figured at the end 😂 I needed the information when I posted the question, but experience teached me pros and cons on connecting multiple xrls. Thank you anyway!
What's the connection between human reproduction and XLR sockets ??
Balanced lines are essential in my studios .. but in home audio applications where the pre amp / power amp are close together you would be very hard put to sense the audible difference between either method of connection
I doubt there is much of a difference sonically except for gain but since I can, I do use XLR interconnects
Ha, I never even thought to ask, I just did it. Anyway, XLR snakes are made just for that purpose--extend a bunch of XLR cables in one neat package.
Another question. Are all XLR cables balanced? I would assume yes since it has the 3 prongs.
Yep
Paul, it looks like you have a Schiit Audio Valhalla headphone amp on the shelf to your left. If so, what is it used for?
Music listening through headphones, most likely :)
I always understood the wires were out of phase so what nosie they generate cancels out. The longer the distance the bigger the benefit.
@@Stew666able It's not like the effect improves with longer cable, more like the longer the cable the more you need it. It's not at perfect technology, as Paul mentions, it's for CMRR = Common mode rejection ratio, the higher the ratio the better, but for balanced to be perfect the hot and cold signal must be of exact amplitude because it goes into a differential amplifier in the input of a device.
@@maxb.simonsen2459 thxs Max my point was the longer the rca cable the more noise so aka replacing them with xls has a higher benefit the longer they are. As for the benefit if you have 2 inverted waves they cancel out but I am a structural not electrical.
Short distances typically you won’t hear a difference between balanced and unbalanced. I’ve done many many tests.
Most audio from the fifties to seventies had unbalanced connections throughout. You only saw balanced inputs on professional equipment. I would think it unnecessary unless you have lengthy cable runs.
There is another benefit from using properly implemented balanced cables even on relatively short runs between gear. You can eliminate ground loops which can happen with even very short RCA cables and will cause the amplification of hum which can be heard coming out of the system at the loudspeakers.
I see an Emotiva speaker there. I have never hesrd them.
Yes I´m doing it just to blend sonic signatures sometimes...
You need to lube up if you're popping like that hahah
what about if I used a male 2.5mm to female 1/4" adaptor for my Utopias... would it still be balanced out of an Astel & Kern?
to be balanced, you must have balanced inputs and outputs on both sides of an interconnect wether it's xlr or trs connection. But if it's single ended signal in one end, you lose the benefit of balanced signals. You lose 6dB of signal strength, and no common noise cancellation.
The shape of the connection don't matter. What matter is that you have one lead ground, one lead pluss signal, and one minus signal, and it's also important that the input actually is a balanced system. It must combine the signal to get the noise cancellation.
@@oysteinsoreide4323 thanks! so a new set of cables it is.
I have to disagree on needing a diffential signal to be balanced. The noise is canceled by the input circuitry being a differential amplifier and rejecting any signal that is on both wires. Both wires on the output need to be very close tolerance and matched. The same is true for the input stage.
Yes you can.
XLR was designed for carrying signals over long distances in a commercial environment. As long as they are less than 2m it doesn't matter, however there are some differences.
The higher gain does reduce the noise floor but increased output from RCA would do the same which many highend equipment especially digital can offer.
The main difference is the earth/ground. Its separate in an XLR and not shared with the minus or shield on a RCA. This makes a big difference but only if all your equipment is truly balanced through out. If they get mixed at any point you can't un mix them.This means that most of the component inside become doubled and so is the cost. So the answer is that they sound better but only if your system is run fully balanced.
If you use anything with a tube then l believe it's not truly balanced no matter what the connections are on the rear. The two outputs are linked together with the gain 6db higher. Then they put a resistor on the RCA output to reduce the output.
Hi Paul, I don't think that the minor impedance anomaly of the additive extra pair of connectors is "too damaging" to the purity of the signal integrity. Bad enough the connectors do not have a repeatable characteristic impedance of 600 Ohms but then this is splitting hairs though in R.F. matching this is an issue. Picky picky, the fact is that the connectors are the bug in the equation for matching and distorting the wave forms. Since the only real impedance matched connector was the IBM twinax data connector, the XLR is just a convenient joke of acceptance in the industry as the connector du-jour. Even the plethora of brands of XLR make the impedance of the connector a variable in the impedance equation. Gary Minker
@Larry Niles Hi Larry, It's the little things. sure small and perhaps nearly imperceivable impedance anomalies introduced by the connectors might never taint the audio so you would notice, and nothing against your prior employment training but facts are facts and the XLR is not 600 Ohms, nor 300, 150 or 50 from several decades of struggling to denote an impedance standard for audio. I made the note for fun but as splitty of hairs as it is, it is true. I am on the same side of the planet as you and you observation that I am amusing is a complement no matter how my comments are factual and amusing. Since you claim the experience in the industry, tell us, Sir, what is the characteristic impedance of the various brands of XLR connector. I can tell you that they are not all the same, nor created equal, or 600 Ohms. I have a TDR, Network Analyzers and appropriate test equipment. Call one of your buds at the plant and pose this question to them. By the way, what is the actual impedance of the typical mic cable? Again, they are not all the same nor created equal, or 600 Ohms. In Europe twisted, low impedance runs that are un-sheilded are popular but still not 600 Ohms. Look my name up on line, Figure out who I am. Enjoy. Gary Minker
@Larry NilesDetrimental impedance mismatch from an XLR connector at audio frequencies? LOL! Just how long are these cables? The capacitance will kill you long before the connector impedance makes any difference. This is basic electrical engineering but once gain the audiophiles want to apply RF theory to audio. Even with balanced 110ohm AES, the impedance mismatch of an XLR connector is irrelevant.
@Larry Niles Yipe, touchy touchy. I didn't question your employment, only your willingness to admit the minor faults and technical misgivings of the imperfect impedance of any old cable and the wide range of variability of the connector. You just want to fight, I merely bring this point to light for the overly dedicated HiFi-ist or recordist who may not know that while it is currently the best medium for analog, it has flaws. Even digital relies on more precise cable specs and connectors but unfortunately the desired impedance of digital cable uses random impedance XLR's which introduces additional errors.. Yipes man. By the by, I did look for you on the net but unlike me who appears in more than 50 engines, you did not give me anything other than your name. There are several thousand Larry Niles. There are only 4 of me and only one is really me. I love a good debate.
Greetings From Super Extremes- Sri Lanka
💚 💛 ❤️ 💙 💜
Thanks for being a part of our community!
6 minutes on yes.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONTENT , REMEMBER FAMILY FRIENLY CONTENT :D just kidding great video :)
Please no! The rest of our world has been ruined by family-friendly garbage already.
Look at the average stage to mixer, and there will be a "snake" in the setup. It allows you to connect multiple mics, at a central point on stage, with one large cable for the run. It's one less thing to trip over, compared to separate cables running back to the mixing board.
Bruce Starr Absolutely correct! Every live show prior to the advent of digital consoles (which use a CAT5 snake) used a stage box into which XLR input cables were plugged. Essentially, every input to the mixing board, and outputs from the mixing board were "combined multiple xlr cables" . No problem, sounded great.
Boink! 🤣
Yes you can with NO side effects whatsoever
Here is a test i've made after seeing your video (with 1, 2, 7 and 13 mic cables) ! not 100% professional but it gives an idea i think... ua-cam.com/video/xg1qMw0BPqs/v-deo.html
Hahaha awsome
Existence is pain!