Lavalier extension cables
- Thread starter yoclay
- Start date
Rick R
Veteran
Don't know of, have never heard of, or encountered a 'locking' 1/8" extension cable. Some locking plugs can mate to a non-locking cable.. Don't know of, have never heard of, or encountered a 'locking' 1/8" extension cable. Some locking plugs can mate to a non-locking cable.. but the stock molded-on ME2/4 Sennheiser plug ain't one of them. How about an XLR hard-wired lav or a 1/8" to XLR Phantom Power or battery adapter cable?
Richard Crowley
Veteran
Absent specific identification, assuming you are talking about 3.5mm "stereo" (3-terminal) connectors with locking rings....
You can make (or have made) cables with locking male 3.5mm "stereo" (3-terminal) connectors on one end.
But I have never seen a cable-end female 3.5mm jack with exposed threads that you could use for the locking ring.
You could use a standard cable-end female connector and use gaffer's tape to hold the connectors together.
You can make (or have made) cables with locking male 3.5mm "stereo" (3-terminal) connectors on one end.
But I have never seen a cable-end female 3.5mm jack with exposed threads that you could use for the locking ring.
You could use a standard cable-end female connector and use gaffer's tape to hold the connectors together.
In fact I currently use lavs with an xlr adapter from OST which is fine, but the reason I want to get rid of the XLR's is that I have found that having more than 1 pulls at the camera, especially if handheld. For instance at trade shows, I was partnering with someone on a Turtle rig and the heavy XLR's defeat the whole purpose of that rig. Going wireless meant constant interference and hardwired meant lopsided tugging, heavy and cumbersome xlr's. We plugged two lavs with a splitter into a 5DIII and the sound was more than adequate (it's just talking heads at a trade show). Easy. However, it would be nice to have extension cables so we could go wider if need be. Currently, I only see Rode making this and I don't feel like shelling out for a whole new system.
Hey Richard!
Yes, absent a pre-fab solution, it look's like I am going to have to DIY it. Sure wish there was a more solid solution though...
Richard Crowley
Veteran
Yes, that is a good scheme and I use it rather frequently. However, beware that it puts more stress on the cable where it enters the connectors, which is a common breaking-point anyway. I make my own cables, so it is no big deal for a cable to fail there. I just chop off the broken part and re-terminate the cable.
Note that Redco can make a custom cable with the male locking connector. They don't show a female 3.5mm cable connector on their custom order page, but they can probably make it for you anyway.
http://www.redco.com/shopexd.asp?id=653
Steve House
Veteran
Don't forget that the cable from mic capsule to wireless transmitter is unbalanced. Adding an extension cable of any length opens you up to electrical interference creeping in on the cable.
Rode sell a 10 foot non-locking 3.5mm extension.
For non-locking cables, I simply use gaffer-tape to tape the two cables together.
If you really want locking cables, Trew Audio can make you anything you want. ( I had some custom cables made for a boundary mic a couple of years ago )
For non-locking cables, I simply use gaffer-tape to tape the two cables together.
If you really want locking cables, Trew Audio can make you anything you want. ( I had some custom cables made for a boundary mic a couple of years ago )
Rick R
Veteran
Markertek.com carries both male and female locking 1/8" TRS cable end connectors. They also have a custom cable shop and can make the cables if desired.
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors...onnectors/M-3-5S-LOCKING.xhtml?M-3.5S LOCKING
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors...-5mm-Adapters/Calrad-Electronics/30-297.xhtml
Markertek's Tecnec 1/8" TRS male plug will also mate with a non-locking female jack, whereas Sennheiser's moulded on plugs will not.
FWIW, Markertek/Tower Products (Saugerties NY) also owns and manufactures the Sescom line of products. Acquired a few years ago after the passing of Franklin Miller .
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors...onnectors/M-3-5S-LOCKING.xhtml?M-3.5S LOCKING
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors...-5mm-Adapters/Calrad-Electronics/30-297.xhtml
Markertek's Tecnec 1/8" TRS male plug will also mate with a non-locking female jack, whereas Sennheiser's moulded on plugs will not.
FWIW, Markertek/Tower Products (Saugerties NY) also owns and manufactures the Sescom line of products. Acquired a few years ago after the passing of Franklin Miller .
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These look like a pretty good starting place. Thanks for that.
Been warned by John Willet though, that basically I would be creating a large radio antenna.
Wonder if those Micon extension cables from Rode have some kind of shield...
Richard Crowley
Veteran
The threads on those connectors may or may not match the ones on your equipment. They look rather more coarse (and smaller diameter) than the ones I use.
Mr. Willet is correct. That length of cable between the mic had and the connector is one of the most vulnerable links in your audio chain. It is extremely sensitive to interference from most every source.
ALL lav mics use shielded cable there. They would hardly function if they weren't shielded.
Mr. Willet is correct. That length of cable between the mic had and the connector is one of the most vulnerable links in your audio chain. It is extremely sensitive to interference from most every source.
ALL lav mics use shielded cable there. They would hardly function if they weren't shielded.
John Willett
Veteran
Yes - I never recommend that any unbalanced mic. cable is extended without fully balancing it - there is a high liklihood of RF interference. !
Rick R
Veteran
The Tecnec Plug and Calrad jack are compatible. According to Markertek, "30-297 - Locking inline 3.5mm female stereo, Mates to M-3.5S LOCKING plug" ... which has the same threads as the Sennheiser molded-on plug.
Note: I am just pointing out the availability of parts.. not recommending using extension cables for unbalanced operation.