UCR100 output 1/8" uBal to XLR Balanced cable option

Noiz2

Noiz2

Sound Ninja
I managed to pick up a lectrosonics set at an auction. The only catch is that the receivers are UCR100. They are fine but they have an 1/8" output because they are designed to go into a DSLR or consumer camcorder. The upside is that you can plug headphones in them and use them for boom monitoring, but I digress.

The input options on my main system are not particularly 1/8" friendly and the XLR on the MixPre and my recorder are both mic level. Anyway I was looking at options and you can buy a cable by Lectrosonics and that is $60 - $80 depending on where you get it. You can make a unbalanced line level with out too much work but a mic level or balanced gets complicated. You should really balance it and block Phantom and that is a lot to do on your own and keep it all neat and tidy. The Lectros can actually lower down to a mic level so that isn't really an issue.

Then I came across the Audio Technica CP8306. It's made for their Pro 88 wireless system and does exactly what the lectrosonics cable does (balances, impedance matches and blocks Phantom) $15.52 from B&H free shipping.

Just got them and checked them out and they work great. The only real difference other than the $65 or so you save, is that these do not have right angle 1/8" connectors. I can live with that.

These will probably work with the other 1/8" output receivers like the G2/3 systems. At this price you could also lop off the 1/8" connectors and use them to make other unbalanced to balanced adapters.

The Sen equivalent is $39.89 and there is one by Kopul that goes for $29.95 (all B&H prices). The Sen version looks like in might be able to screw down and keep the plug locked in place. But for the price difference you could by a bunch of locking connectors and replace them. The Lectro cable doesn't have the locking collar and the Lectros don't really have enough exposed threads to make it of use anyway. The Lectro cable is the only one with a right angle 1/8" plug.
 
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To block phantom power you need a transformer. They don't pass DC. Probably why the Lectrosonics adapter is expensive compared to a straight cable adapter.
 
It's not magic but it's a bit fiddly to get the resistors and capacitors inside the XLR housing. I've done tighter more complicated but it is fiddly.

To clarify for folks, the cable I linked is a impedance matched transformer balanced out put.

I was going to challenge the cost assessment but, go for it. It might be possible to build the Lectro version of the cable for ten bucks. Not sure what you charge per hour but I doubt that between buying and building you could make the cable for $5 of labor. Also you can't use low spec off the RadioShack shelf parts here. The capasitors are going to need to be very high quality and the resistors should be better than 1% or you are going to throw in a DC offset. So I'm not even convinced you could build it with acceptable results for less than the cost of the cable with out buying parts in bulk.

If you know how and want to do it go for it. I could do it but the $ comparison is with what Lectro charges VS what you can buy (a better solution) for from AT.

I would point out tough that Lectros mark up on the cable in that diagram is to say the least, excessive.


ANyway, I built my first two mixers from scratch and have built many mic pre's etc, along with a fair number of digital and control circuits so it's not like I'm adverse to DIY. I was planning on building the cable till I found this one. As much as I like DIY, I generally don't reinvent the wheel if I can go and buy one for the cost in materials.
 
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