stereo 3.5mm to XLR's adapter at DVinfo.net

Carlos Manuel · January 29th, 2007, 02:55 PM

I have a Sony ECM-MS907 mic that has a Stereo out on a 3.5mm jack.
I've only find a RODE model but it's 1 channel only.

Is there for sale an adapter from the stereo mini-plug to 2x XLR out's ?
Can I get the proper connections in order to make the cable?

Thanks
Carlos

Steve House · January 29th, 2007, 04:12 PM

What genders do you need at each end? Hosa makes Y-cables with a male 3.5mm stereo at one end and 2 XLR at the other with your choice of male or female XLR. Hosa CYX402 (male XLR) or YXF247 (female XLR)

If you need a female 3.5 you'll probably need to use a combination of a Y-cable and adapters or make up your own. You could use a stereo mini to 2 RCAM Y-cable plus a pair of adapters for RCAF-XLR Hosa GXF132 (female XLR) or GXM133 (male XLR)

To make uo your own, the 3.5 TRS has left on the tip, right on the ring, and common ground to the sleeve. So connect TRS tip to XLR1 pin 2, TRS ring to XLR2 pin 2, TRS sleeve to pin 1 on both XLRs and jumper both XLR pins 3 to their respective pin 1.

Bill Davis · January 29th, 2007, 05:43 PM

Carlos,

While you can do any gender and/or plug config changes with simple adaptors, you should be aware that typically, mini-plug mics are UNBALANCED and equipment that terminates in XLR inputs or outputs (like pro microphones) are wired to take advantage of BALANCED audio connections.

If you simply change the plugs, you'll be feeding an unbalanced signal to the XLR and therefore losing any noise rejection that a balanced system would afford you along the entire length of your cable. In situations like this, an unbalanced audio cable can act like a huge radio antenna and introduce MORE unwanted noise in your audio.

The better method is to buy one of the unbalanced/balanced audio adaptors from companies like Studio One or Beachtek and maintain a balanced audio signal from the mic to the audio adaptor. Then just run a VERY short unbalanced connection from that to the camcorder.

If you ever find yourself shooting in a situation with a lot of RF noise, you'll be really glad you kept your audio lines balanced until the last possible place in your audio chain.

Good luck.

Carlos Manuel · January 30th, 2007, 12:41 PM

Thanks for all the answers.
I believe that what I need is not for sale.

My microphone Sony ECM-MS907 has the stereo output on a 3.5mm (1/8") male.
I need a cable that has on one side a 3.5mm FEMALE and on the other side 2 XLR's MALE.
I will have to do the cable.

My last question:
The mic has an internal 1.5V battery for power.
If I connect it (thru the cable adaptor) into a Mic in, should I turn the PHANTOM POWER on or off?
I'm affraid to damage it.

I think it should be:
1.5V battery_|_____|_48V Phantom
____yes_______________OFF
____not_______________ON

Is this correct?

Sincerely
Carlos

Steve House · January 30th, 2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlos Manuel

Thanks for all the answers.
I believe that what I need is not for sale.

My microphone Sony ECM-MS907 has the stereo output on a 3.5mm (1/8") male.
I need a cable that has on one side a 3.5mm FEMALE and on the other side 2 XLR's MALE.
I will have to do the cable.

My last question:
The mic has an internal 1.5V battery for power.
If I connect it (thru the cable adaptor) into a Mic in, should I turn the PHANTOM POWER on or off?
I'm affraid to damage it.

I think it should be:
1.5V battery_|_____|_48V Phantom
____yes_______________OFF
____not_______________ON

Is this correct?

Sincerely
Carlos

No! That mic does NOT accept phantom power. The TRS min-plug is a pair of unbalanced signals on one plug. Phantom only works with balanced connections and your adapters won't make it so, so definitely leave phantom off.

If you'd rather not make up your own cable, you could get the male 3.5 mini to 2xXLR(m) Y-cable that I mentioned and a female 3.5 / female 3.5 barrel connector.

You could also use the Hosa CFR-210 female mini to 2 RCA(m) or equivalent...
http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/CFR-210.html
plus two of the GXM-133 RCA(f) to XLR(m) adapters
http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/GXM-133.html

Carlos Manuel · January 30th, 2007, 01:39 PM

Ok.
No 48V Phantom!

I will do the cable myself.

Peter Rhalter · January 30th, 2007, 05:50 PM

Here is a 3.5mm to stereo XLR cable:

http://www.trewaudio.com/store/produ...&cat=21&page=1

Best wishes,
Peter
______________________
http://www.parkfilms.com

Bill Davis · January 30th, 2007, 08:31 PM

Carlos,

If you followed the links to the cables that others here so kindly posted you'll have noted that the proper way to adapt in this case is to use a DC blocking capacitor when adapting typical camcorder "plug & power" mini-jacks - to XLR cables.

This is because many, many camcorders present a small DC voltage at their mini-plug connections in order to power their consumer condensor accessory mics.

There are certain specialized conditions (like plugging a sennsitive ribbon microphone into an XLR cable adapted in this fashion) where the DC voltage could cause catestrohphic damage to a microphone.

Just so you're aware.

Carlos Manuel · January 31st, 2007, 06:44 AM

Bill Davis,

I understand what you say.
Can you give me an indication on the tipe of capacitor to use or a link to someone that sells such adaptor or a schequematics for me to follow?

I have a Z1 camera and was trying to replace the internal mic with my "old" Sony ECM-MS907.
It can NOT be less good that the internal from the camera... ...

Anyway, if I do a simple cable to connect the ECM to the Z1 camera (3.5mm female == 2x XLR male), turn the Pahntom Power OFF on the camera and keep the 1.5V battery on the ECM mic, do you think that I will damage the ECM mic or the camera ?

Sincerely
Carlos Manuel

Steve House · January 31st, 2007, 07:57 AM

With respect, Bill, I don't think that's going to be an issue here. The 'mic power' that needs the DC blocking comes into play when you're using an XLR output mic with an adapter to plug it into a camera with a 3.5 mm mini-jack mic input. Carlos is doing the opposite, taking a consumer grade stereo mic whose output in on a 3.5mm stereo mini-plug and adapting it feed a pair of regular mono XLR camera mic inputs.

Bill Davis · February 2nd, 2007, 12:42 AM

Steve,

Ah, sorry.

I read it as him taking a better microphone and using it to FEED his camcorder.

That makes some sense to me.

I can't imagine wanting to take an inexpensive unbalanced mic - as prone as they are to RF and noise - and use it to FEED a balanced system - that seems like asking for trouble - but to each their own.

To the OP.

If you're doing this, try to keep your unbalanced cable as SHORT AS POSSIBLE. It'll likely be as much a nice long antenna for RF as it is a conduit for your signal.

Sorry I misunderstood and thanks for the clarification, Steve.

Bill Davis · February 2nd, 2007, 12:47 AM

Oh, and Carlos.

R. Crowley (a usenet rec.video.pro regular) has a nice web page that can help you out.

http://www.rcrowley.com/CamAdapt.htm

Good luck.

Tim J. Matteson · May 12th, 2008, 08:46 PM

I hope I'm not too late jumping in on this thread... I have a JVC GY-HD200 and would like to use a recently-acquired Rode Stereo video mic. The position of the mic jacks on the 200 (right side, toward the bottom) concern me because I'm afraid that if I leave any mic plugged in while the cam is in the cam bag, the mic cable will be stressed against the bottom of the bag (it's a PortaBrace). I would like to build a cable using right-angle male XLR connectors pointing upward to reduce the risk of stressing the connectors & cables.

Am I correct in assuming that I can use the stereo diagram on http://www.rcrowley.com/CamAdapt.htm to build a cable with a stereo female 3.5mm plug to receive from the SVM and connect to two male right angle XLR's on the other end? Will that configuration work?

tim

January 29th, 2007, 02:55 PM	#1
Carlos Manuel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 76	stereo 3.5mm to XLR's adapter I have a Sony ECM-MS907 mic that has a Stereo out on a 3.5mm jack. I've only find a RODE model but it's 1 channel only. Is there for sale an adapter from the stereo mini-plug to 2x XLR out's ? Can I get the proper connections in order to make the cable? Thanks Carlos

January 29th, 2007, 04:12 PM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	What genders do you need at each end? Hosa makes Y-cables with a male 3.5mm stereo at one end and 2 XLR at the other with your choice of male or female XLR. Hosa CYX402 (male XLR) or YXF247 (female XLR) If you need a female 3.5 you'll probably need to use a combination of a Y-cable and adapters or make up your own. You could use a stereo mini to 2 RCAM Y-cable plus a pair of adapters for RCAF-XLR Hosa GXF132 (female XLR) or GXM133 (male XLR) To make uo your own, the 3.5 TRS has left on the tip, right on the ring, and common ground to the sleeve. So connect TRS tip to XLR1 pin 2, TRS ring to XLR2 pin 2, TRS sleeve to pin 1 on both XLRs and jumper both XLR pins 3 to their respective pin 1. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

January 31st, 2007, 07:57 AM	#10
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	With respect, Bill, I don't think that's going to be an issue here. The 'mic power' that needs the DC blocking comes into play when you're using an XLR output mic with an adapter to plug it into a camera with a 3.5 mm mini-jack mic input. Carlos is doing the opposite, taking a consumer grade stereo mic whose output in on a 3.5mm stereo mini-plug and adapting it feed a pair of regular mono XLR camera mic inputs. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

January 29th, 2007, 05:43 PM	#3
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Carlos, While you can do any gender and/or plug config changes with simple adaptors, you should be aware that typically, mini-plug mics are UNBALANCED and equipment that terminates in XLR inputs or outputs (like pro microphones) are wired to take advantage of BALANCED audio connections. If you simply change the plugs, you'll be feeding an unbalanced signal to the XLR and therefore losing any noise rejection that a balanced system would afford you along the entire length of your cable. In situations like this, an unbalanced audio cable can act like a huge radio antenna and introduce MORE unwanted noise in your audio. The better method is to buy one of the unbalanced/balanced audio adaptors from companies like Studio One or Beachtek and maintain a balanced audio signal from the mic to the audio adaptor. Then just run a VERY short unbalanced connection from that to the camcorder. If you ever find yourself shooting in a situation with a lot of RF noise, you'll be really glad you kept your audio lines balanced until the last possible place in your audio chain. Good luck.

January 30th, 2007, 12:41 PM	#4
Carlos Manuel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 76	Thanks for all the answers. I believe that what I need is not for sale. My microphone Sony ECM-MS907 has the stereo output on a 3.5mm (1/8") male. I need a cable that has on one side a 3.5mm FEMALE and on the other side 2 XLR's MALE. I will have to do the cable. My last question: The mic has an internal 1.5V battery for power. If I connect it (thru the cable adaptor) into a Mic in, should I turn the PHANTOM POWER on or off? I'm affraid to damage it. I think it should be: 1.5V battery_\|_____\|_48V Phantom ____yes_______________OFF ____not_______________ON Is this correct? Sincerely Carlos

January 30th, 2007, 01:39 PM	#6
Carlos Manuel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 76	Ok. No 48V Phantom! I will do the cable myself.

January 30th, 2007, 05:50 PM	#7
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	Here is a 3.5mm to stereo XLR cable: http://www.trewaudio.com/store/produ...&cat=21&page=1 Best wishes, Peter ______________________ http://www.parkfilms.com

January 30th, 2007, 08:31 PM	#8
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Carlos, If you followed the links to the cables that others here so kindly posted you'll have noted that the proper way to adapt in this case is to use a DC blocking capacitor when adapting typical camcorder "plug & power" mini-jacks - to XLR cables. This is because many, many camcorders present a small DC voltage at their mini-plug connections in order to power their consumer condensor accessory mics. There are certain specialized conditions (like plugging a sennsitive ribbon microphone into an XLR cable adapted in this fashion) where the DC voltage could cause catestrohphic damage to a microphone. Just so you're aware.

January 31st, 2007, 06:44 AM	#9
Carlos Manuel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 76	Bill Davis, I understand what you say. Can you give me an indication on the tipe of capacitor to use or a link to someone that sells such adaptor or a schequematics for me to follow? I have a Z1 camera and was trying to replace the internal mic with my "old" Sony ECM-MS907. It can NOT be less good that the internal from the camera... ... Anyway, if I do a simple cable to connect the ECM to the Z1 camera (3.5mm female == 2x XLR male), turn the Pahntom Power OFF on the camera and keep the 1.5V battery on the ECM mic, do you think that I will damage the ECM mic or the camera ? Sincerely Carlos Manuel

February 2nd, 2007, 12:42 AM	#11
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Steve, Ah, sorry. I read it as him taking a better microphone and using it to FEED his camcorder. That makes some sense to me. I can't imagine wanting to take an inexpensive unbalanced mic - as prone as they are to RF and noise - and use it to FEED a balanced system - that seems like asking for trouble - but to each their own. To the OP. If you're doing this, try to keep your unbalanced cable as SHORT AS POSSIBLE. It'll likely be as much a nice long antenna for RF as it is a conduit for your signal. Sorry I misunderstood and thanks for the clarification, Steve.

February 2nd, 2007, 12:47 AM	#12
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Oh, and Carlos. R. Crowley (a usenet rec.video.pro regular) has a nice web page that can help you out. http://www.rcrowley.com/CamAdapt.htm Good luck.

May 12th, 2008, 08:46 PM	#13
Tim J. Matteson New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mishawaka, IN Posts: 12	I hope I'm not too late jumping in on this thread... I have a JVC GY-HD200 and would like to use a recently-acquired Rode Stereo video mic. The position of the mic jacks on the 200 (right side, toward the bottom) concern me because I'm afraid that if I leave any mic plugged in while the cam is in the cam bag, the mic cable will be stressed against the bottom of the bag (it's a PortaBrace). I would like to build a cable using right-angle male XLR connectors pointing upward to reduce the risk of stressing the connectors & cables. Am I correct in assuming that I can use the stereo diagram on http://www.rcrowley.com/CamAdapt.htm to build a cable with a stereo female 3.5mm plug to receive from the SVM and connect to two male right angle XLR's on the other end? Will that configuration work? tim