4-pin to 3.5mm

[longshanks]

Hi,

I've been looking for a 4-pin mini to 3.5mm adapter for my Sennheiser G2's. I bought a Shure omnidirectional mic and it has a female 4-pin to male XLR preamp adapter. I don't know much about audio, but don't the G2's preamplify anyway? In this case, all I need is a 4-pin mini to 3.5mm headphone jack for the bodypack transmitter right? Again, I cannot find such an adapter, anyone know where, or if I'm even on the right track?

 

[Alex H.]

Not sure that an adapter will do you. Different makes of wireless systems, with different connectors, are wired, well... differently. For example, some Audio-Technica systems use TA5 connectors (mini 5-pin XLR), as do Lectrosonics. But the wiring for each is incompatible with the other. Not all 5 pins are acutally used, and each system uses a different schematic. And often, the connectors made for lavaliers contain resistors that help regulate the voltage supply to the mic.

Your XLR adapter also has one of these voltage regulators. They're there because, while a mixer may supply 48v phantom, the mic may run off 3v. Sending the capsule 48v will fry it.

Your best bet, though it does cost a little bit, is to have the lav rewired specifically for the G2 system. That will ensure that you have the proper conversion in the connectors.

 

[Steve House]

Hi,

I've been looking for a 4-pin mini to 3.5mm adapter for my Sennheiser G2's. I bought a Shure omnidirectional mic and it has a female 4-pin to male XLR preamp adapter. I don't know much about audio, but don't the G2's preamplify anyway? In this case, all I need is a 4-pin mini to 3.5mm headphone jack for the bodypack transmitter right? Again, I cannot find such an adapter, anyone know where, or if I'm even on the right track?

The 3.5 TRS that plugs into the bodypack transmitter is NOT wired like a stereo headphone connector - not even close - and it's a type of locking plug that has a screw collar to keep it from being accidently pulled out. It's slightly longer than a regular 3.5 mm plug and standard plugs are sometimes too short to make proper contact at the tip.

I've never seen an adapter such as you need available off-the-shelf but if you contact one of the professional sound suppliers like Trew, Coffey, Gotham, etc I'm sure they could make one up for you. You'll need to be more specific about the wiring on the mic - just saying "4 pin mini" doesn't say much about what wireless transmitter the mic was originally intended to be used with and that's crucial in order to know what pin connects to what. You need to say "Shure model XXX wired for Lectro 200" or whatever in order to make sure you're getting it right.

 

[John Willett]

You will have to make the adaptor yourself.

You will need a lockable 3.5mm jack plug (do *not* use a standard unlocked plug or you will have lots of problems due th the plug moving in the socket).

The evolution systems have the mic. wired tip and sleeve only - NB: the ring is not used for a microphone as it;'s the line-in connector.

There is about 5V plug-in power on the connector to power the microphone - make sure that your mic. needs this power or you can damage the mic.