XL1 mic extention cable at DVinfo.net

Steven Digges · October 28th, 2002, 11:04 AM

I would like to buy (or build) a long (50 ft. or so) extension cable for my XL1 microphone. Finding a 3.5mm mini extension cable is not a problem - finding a 2.5mm sub mini extension for the power supply is. I have e-mailed at least 7 cable suppliers inquiring about the availability of a manufactured cable that will work. No one seems to have one. I also know the power supply leaves the camera on the sub mini and enters the mic on the sleeve of the 3.5 mini. This confuses me. If I buy a 4 strand cable and attach 2 sets of mini jacks and 2 sub minis will it work? Also, I have not been able to find a female sub mini connector. This is a great mic. Getting it off of the camera would add tremendous versatility to my microphone set-ups.

Nathan Gifford · October 28th, 2002, 11:27 AM

I have built one of these cables before. The most important thing to do is to use a really high quality audio cable and not the standard RS types.

The smaller plug is the power for the mic and the other is stereo mic input. You can get those adapters at RS. You will need to build some strain relief and maybe use heat shrink to tie the two cables together.

Mine is over 30' long and works just fine. Do be aware that the cable is not balanced, which means it can be prone to interference.

Jeff Donald · October 28th, 2002, 12:19 PM

Don't run it near power cables, or use flouresent lights. I would look at balanced mic options if I was going to do a lot of long cable runs.

Jeff

George Goltz · October 30th, 2002, 11:18 AM

Ive been trying to do a similar feat to extend the mic cable for power and for connection to the ma200 xlr., I want to connect the onboard mic to my ma200 xlr input left audio channel and use a wireless mic in the right audio channel, this would maintain audio in 16bit (audio1)input.. tried to find connectors but the sub mini for power is the main problem.I did find the stereo mini to xlr mono cable with no problem.I guess the only solution is to buy a stand alone self powered shotgun mic.
Ill pass on this one as I like the onboard mic that comes with the xl1s.
Anyone know were to get a sub mini cable extention, male on one end female on other end?

Don Palomaki · October 30th, 2002, 06:16 PM

One can use matching transformers (600 ohm unbalancd to balanced) at the XL1 stock mic to allow use of long cables, terminating at the MA100. Maybe Build
a 5 VDC power supply for the mic using a battery, resistor, zener diode, and capacitor.

October 28th, 2002, 11:04 AM	#1
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	XL1 mic extention cable I would like to buy (or build) a long (50 ft. or so) extension cable for my XL1 microphone. Finding a 3.5mm mini extension cable is not a problem - finding a 2.5mm sub mini extension for the power supply is. I have e-mailed at least 7 cable suppliers inquiring about the availability of a manufactured cable that will work. No one seems to have one. I also know the power supply leaves the camera on the sub mini and enters the mic on the sleeve of the 3.5 mini. This confuses me. If I buy a 4 strand cable and attach 2 sets of mini jacks and 2 sub minis will it work? Also, I have not been able to find a female sub mini connector. This is a great mic. Getting it off of the camera would add tremendous versatility to my microphone set-ups. __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!

October 28th, 2002, 11:27 AM	#2
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	I have built one of these cables before. The most important thing to do is to use a really high quality audio cable and not the standard RS types. The smaller plug is the power for the mic and the other is stereo mic input. You can get those adapters at RS. You will need to build some strain relief and maybe use heat shrink to tie the two cables together. Mine is over 30' long and works just fine. Do be aware that the cable is not balanced, which means it can be prone to interference. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

October 30th, 2002, 11:18 AM	#4
George Goltz Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: new jersey usa Posts: 38	Ive been trying to do a similar feat to extend the mic cable for power and for connection to the ma200 xlr., I want to connect the onboard mic to my ma200 xlr input left audio channel and use a wireless mic in the right audio channel, this would maintain audio in 16bit (audio1)input.. tried to find connectors but the sub mini for power is the main problem.I did find the stereo mini to xlr mono cable with no problem.I guess the only solution is to buy a stand alone self powered shotgun mic. Ill pass on this one as I like the onboard mic that comes with the xl1s. Anyone know were to get a sub mini cable extention, male on one end female on other end? __________________ george goltz

October 28th, 2002, 12:19 PM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Don't run it near power cables, or use flouresent lights. I would look at balanced mic options if I was going to do a lot of long cable runs. Jeff

October 30th, 2002, 06:16 PM	#5
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	One can use matching transformers (600 ohm unbalancd to balanced) at the XL1 stock mic to allow use of long cables, terminating at the MA100. Maybe Build a 5 VDC power supply for the mic using a battery, resistor, zener diode, and capacitor.