Are all XLR cables the same length?

Rylan Zolinski

Rylan Zolinski

Well-known member
Oops, I meant "size" instead of "length" for the thread title.

For the prongs and such (not the cable), are they all the same size? Pictures can be deceiving...

I own a Canon Xl2 and I am looking for a 50 foot XLR cable for my Rode NTG2 mic. Is there a specific type of XLR cable I should be looking for or all of them pretty much the same?
 
for size, yes. an xlr connection is an xlr connection ie 3 pins (normal polarity, reversed, and ground). However, they are definitely NOT equal. Different factors to look at. How is cable shielded, meaning how resistant to RF and electromagnetically induced noise(ground loops), ferrite beads(helps rf shielding), strain relief, blah blah blah. Just like anything else, take something that looks simple and make it complex to justify salaries :)

For a 50 foot cable, its worth it to get something better than an ebay special. the longer the run, the more chance of interference and loss.

there are other options, both higher end and lower, but starquad cable with a neutrik connector would be a good choice.
 
And I'll hijack this thread to ask -- what's a good place to buy Star-Quad cable with Neutriks? I know B&H sells them but there must be a cheaper place... right?
 
For cables, there is only one answer. Send a PM to member MattinSTL - you'll see him all over this forum and he hand makes custom XLR cables for fellow DVXUSERS (as a service) at a price which can't be much over cost. Best cables I've ever used or even seen.

You can do a forum search for musilex, then read his thread on canare starquad for an instant intro into all things cable . . .

Can't recommend his enough - and it's a real perk to forum members as long as he's willing to do it.:beer:
 
pixelated said:
For cables, there is only one answer. Send a PM to member MattinSTL - you'll see him all over this forum and he hand makes custom XLR cables for fellow DVXUSERS (as a service) at a price which can't be much over cost. Best cables I've ever used or even seen.

You can do a forum search for musilex, then read his thread on canare starquad for an instant intro into all things cable . . .

Can't recommend his enough - and it's a real perk to forum members as long as he's willing to do it.:beer:
Click to expand...

If I knew this a bit earlier, I would have considered it. My purchase already went through. :(

Oh well. Maybe in the future...
 
TVSound said:
an xlr connection is an xlr connection ie 3 pins (normal polarity, reversed, and ground).
Click to expand...
Actually, XLR connectors come in a variety of pin configurations.

The most common type is certainly the 3-pin variety used for ballanced audio cables. However, 4-pin XLRs are widely used for camera power supplies and battery packs as well as wired intercom systems, and 5-pin XLRs are often used for ballanced stereo audio (eg. stereo mics like the Sennheiser MKH418) and certain lighting control systems. I've seen 6-pin configurations, but I'm not certain what they were for.

I've also seen 5-pin XLRs used to transimit RS-422 machine control, but that was a custom patch-bay at a post house.
 
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