Audio question for my EX1

Buck Forester

Buck Forester

Well-known member
I bought a new Sennheiser 416 shotgun mic over a year ago but have never yet used it. I want to start using it but this is all new to me. I have a nice Rycote shock mount and windscreen too. But my question is about the XLR cables. This will be solely for on-camera use, so what's the best quality XLR cable to use and what's the recommended length just going from the mic to my camera? Thanks and yes, you can laugh at me and my insanely basic question.
 
Given the fact that your cable will be only a few inches long, there isn't going to be any difference in any of the cables you might choose. In fact, if you can't find a real short cable (12" to 14"), you ought to make your own. I used a right-angle XLR to attach to the back of my shotgun which gets the wire out of the way. You really don't need a bunch of loose cable getting in your way.
 
Thnkx, thxdave. Are there pre-made xlr audio cables with right angle attachments only a few inches long? With female to male connections, ready to go and plug in and use? Secondly (extremely basic question but I just don't know) do I use a single female/connection and plug into one channel, or do I get a female/2 males cable and plug into both channels?
 
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These guys are very nice to deal with and can make anything you need:

http://www.markertek.com/custom.asp#CABLE

If they want too much money to make a short cable for you, I might have enough extra parts around here where I could make one for you. As to your other question, you only need one connection/cable because you can use the cameras' internal routing to either keep the shotguns' output going to one channel or split it across two. I usually split it across left and right and then keep one channel at a slightly lower level just as a "safety" track in case the subject gets too loud and overloads the other louder channel. Let me know off-list if Markertek wants too much money.
 
The 416 is an excellent microphone. I used it for my feature and everything sounds great. ANY XLR cable will do. You can buy the length you need in any music store. I had it running on 30 meter cable and 30 cm cable. Some people will tell you there are different XLR cable qualities. That's nonesense. XLR is XLR. Plug the microphone in Line 1, make sure the line is set to 48hz phantom power, and make sure the menu is set so the audio is recorded on both channels with the recording volume on one channel lower than on the main channel. This will give you a backup in case high volume hits distortion or clipping on the main channel. Also, do not set your volume to automatic. ALWAYS leave it on manual. Finally, get used to the idea of keeping a headphone on your ears. Good luck.
 
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