Please help!

J

Jackson Miller

Well-known member
I have to order two XLR cables tonight but I don't know what to look for. Is a cheap cable a bad cable? I don't need studio quality or anything but is there a significan disadvantage to getting the cheapest cables? I'm using a DVX100b and a rode ntg2.

First of all, i need a short cable for on camera situations. I was thinking of a 1 foot cable ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/522428-REG/Pro_Co_Sound_SMM_1_StageMASTER_XLR_Male_to.html )

Or should I go with a 1.5 foot cable? What is standard for on camera use? Is this one good: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...8INB_G_Star_Quad_L_4E6S_Microphone_Cable.html

or should I get one that is angled like this one : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/262152-REG/Audio_Technica_ASP00127_XLR_Male_to_XLR.html



And then I need a 25 foot cable. Recomendations?

I want to spend no more than 25 dollars on this cable. I see many options. For the price can I expect good audio? Also, any companies to avoid? Here are some companies that have 25 foot cables for less than 25 dollars:

Audio Technica
Audix
Hosa
CAD
Canare

The hosa cables are very cheap : 14 to 18 dollars.

So please help!!!

Thanks so much
 
I really have to order soon so I would really appreciate anyone sharing anything they know. I know I just posted an hour ago but like I said, I gotta order tonight.
 
First off, it's just cable, they'll all work.

I'd stay away from Hosa and CAD,.. and I've never heard of Canare. AT and Audix are both good names. But they'll all work. I doubt you'll notice much of a difference in the short length, your signal will probably be great if it's only one foot. I really wouldn't worry TOO much if it's under 25 feet. Plus at that price point most of the cables are going to be comparable. It's not like you buying Studio Link or Kimbar cables.

- G
 
Dewy-dB said:
First off, it's just cable, they'll all work.

I'd stay away from Hosa and CAD,.. and I've never heard of Canare. AT and Audix are both good names. But they'll all work. I doubt you'll notice much of a difference in the short length, your signal will probably be great if it's only one foot. I really wouldn't worry TOO much if it's under 25 feet. Plus at that price point most of the cables are going to be comparable. It's not like you buying Studio Link or Kimbar cables.

- G
Click to expand...
canare , they didnt heard about you 2 :-)
the best cable between them all
 
Dewy-dB said:
First off, it's just cable, they'll all work.

I'd stay away from Hosa and CAD,.. and I've never heard of Canare. AT and Audix are both good names. But they'll all work. I doubt you'll notice much of a difference in the short length, your signal will probably be great if it's only one foot. I really wouldn't worry TOO much if it's under 25 feet. Plus at that price point most of the cables are going to be comparable. It's not like you buying Studio Link or Kimbar cables.

- G
Click to expand...

Never heard of Canare???? Canare, along with Mogami, are two of the top-shelf brands of cable for professional work. Canare is the folks who make Star-Quad cable.
 
Entity said:
Dammit! I just ordered. Why stay away from HOSA? Here is what I got:

25 dollar 25 foot Hosa Cable (not the cheap ones I mentioned but is HOSA still bad?):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/158256-REG/Hosa_MMK025_XLR_Male_to_XLR.html


and

17 dollar 1.5 foot Canare Cable: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...8INB_G_Star_Quad_L_4E6S_Microphone_Cable.html


I hope they are OK. The HOSA one says proffesional quality.
Click to expand...

You'll be fine with Hosa, use them myself with no problems. The very cheapest cables often have cheap, easily broken, connectors and poor quality control in general but you'll be fine with any major brand from the middle price points on up. As for the Canare, see my other comment - they're one of the best brands around, and along with Mogami are a major supplier in the professional market.
 
firstly, canare make the best professional range of audio connectors you can get so if you are willing to spend some extra bucks it's well worth it in the end.. Hosa and CAD aren't shite so don't worry about Dewy-dB, his profession obviously doesn't include that of pro audio. Audio Technica is a reputable brand. Proel make some good stuff, Italian made. My main concern is to watch out for some chinese brands, I've come across cables with funky shield termination which caused issues with phantom power. Basically, you only really need to start worrying about quality when you get into the long lengths.... Cheers
 
Where were you pro's last night? Jeez, I was just trying to help the guy.

I never said Canare sucked, I just said I hadn't heard of them. I said all cables would work fine, especially since they're not super long. Was I wrong?

Yeah I'm not a pro-audio guy, but I tried to help with what little I knew. Apparently everyone here is a level 16 audiophile so I'll shut up now.

Thanks for jumping down my throat everyone.

- Greg
 
Actually, the biggest problem that occurs with most cables involves the connectors, not the cable itself. Neutrik and Switchcraft connectors (in that order) are the best and most reliable; I wouldn't use cables made with anything else. Sure, sound quality issues will be influenced by cable type, especially as lengths grow, but cable failures tend to be in the connections.

For good, low-priced pre-made cables, ProCo makes nice products (and their AmeriQuads are comparable to the best cable around).

Hosers tend to have crappy XLR connectors that I've found have intermittent contact problems with a lot of gear.
 
Hey, Dewey-dB, I appreciate the quick response and that you were just trying to help. Thanks.

Everyone else, thanks too. I guess I'll be fine with what I got.
 
Once you have it, you can go by "if it works, it works!" For all the talk about what cables and connectors we'd CHOOSE, I doubt there's anyone who hasn't worked with a Hoser in a pinch!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top