what's best way to convert balanced to unbalanced

B

Bruce Watson

Veteran
What's the best way to convert from a balanced XLR cable to an unbalanced phono plug? Mic level out from a mixer (balanced XLR connector output), to mic input on a DSLR (unbalanced 3.5mm mini-jack input).
 
The "best" is probably one of the products made specifically for handling XLR mics into camcorders/DSLRs. Some popular brands include Beachtek, JuicedLink, et.al.
 
Richard Crowley said:
The "best" is probably one of the products made specifically for handling XLR mics into camcorders/DSLRs. Some popular brands include Beachtek, JuicedLink, et.al.
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No, no, you're missing the point. The balanced signal is coming from a mixer already. What I'm trying to avoid is a long run of unbalanced cable. I want a long run of balanced cable, and then convert it to unbalanced right at the DSLR. So, the minimum of unbalanced cable possible. What's the best way to do that?
 
I have used a cable with an XLR connector on one end and a phono plug on the other. The phono plug is 1/4" of course, but there are adapters to get it down to the size you need.
 
An interface or transformer balanced to unbalanced box is always the best way to go especially at mic level but you can also just wire the cable like this presuming that the camera mic input is mono:

http://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/balun1.jpg

Note that for long cable runs it would be better to send the mixer output at balanced line level and then convert it to unbalanced mic level at the camera end using a transformer based converter and pad.
 
Bruce Watson said:
No, no, you're missing the point. The balanced signal is coming from a mixer already. What I'm trying to avoid is a long run of unbalanced cable. I want a long run of balanced cable, and then convert it to unbalanced right at the DSLR. So, the minimum of unbalanced cable possible. What's the best way to do that?
Click to expand...

Richard is right though that The BEST way to do this is by putting a beachtech or juiced link interface box on the camera which will then give you two balanced mic inputs, you can then run your balanced mic level cable from the mixer to this interface box but as I also said line level would be better then convert to mic level at the camera end via the interface box!

https://www.rcblogic.co.uk/p-2650-beachtek-dxa-2t-universal-camcorder-adapter.aspx
 
I'm with Gary, you need to have a transformer to unbalance the signal or you will defeat the the noise canceling of the balanced cable.

As others sugest the hotter the signal you can send down the line the cleaner it will end up. Line level would be ideal.
 
David W. Richardson said:
I have used a cable with an XLR connector on one end and a phono plug on the other. The phono plug is 1/4" of course, but there are adapters to get it down to the size you need.
Click to expand...
That will often cause a phase reversal between the channels in the DSLR leading to all manner of problems. The XLR output from the mixer will be balanced mono. An XLR to phone plug adapter connects Signal + (XLR 2) to the tip, signal - (XLR 3) to ring, ground (XLR 1) to sleeve. A stereo miniplug is wired left-tip, right-ring, and ground to sleeve. What is really needed is a custom cable wired XLR2 to both tip and ring, XLR3 to sleeve, and XLR1 shorted to XLR3 or left floating.
 
Bruce Watson said:
No, no, you're missing the point. The balanced signal is coming from a mixer already. What I'm trying to avoid is a long run of unbalanced cable. I want a long run of balanced cable, and then convert it to unbalanced right at the DSLR. So, the minimum of unbalanced cable possible. What's the best way to do that?
Click to expand...

No. you are missing the point. The Beachtek, JuicedLink, et.al. products mount RIGHT ON THE CAMERA and have an unbalanced connection only a couple of inches long. You can't get any closer than that.

Whether the signal is coming from a "raw" microphone or out of a mixer is immaterial to the question. You said you wanted a balanced connection at the camera end, and that is EXACTLY what those products are made for.

Yes, there are many ways to do this, but if you want to avoid a long unbalanced run (from WHATEVER source), then you need either a passive solution (a transformer) or an active solution (a balanced input circuit of some kind).

OTOH, I have made several UNbalanced cables with an XLR at one end and a 3.5mm at the other end for small-format devices (like DSLRs, etc.) People have used them without issue in many places around the globe, but certainly they are not suitable in high-interference situations.
 
Bruce Watson said:
How about this then?
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Well, other than the problem that it won't connect to the 3.5mm input connector on your camera?
You will still need a short adapter cable to get from that plug-in transformer gadget into your DSLR.
Why not just use a short cable directly from the mixer into your DSLR? Fewer components is always better.
 
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