making dual XLR to 1/8 mini adapter
Jul 12, 2007 at 7:30 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 12
el_matt0

el_matt0

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hey ive just got a quick question about this IC im making. its gunna be 2 female XLRs to a 1/8 mini jack. now, for the application under which im going to be using it, i dont THINK that i will need to shield or ground the XLRs. now, my question is, do i link up both +/- phase signals from one of the XLRs both to one pin on the mini (L for example)? and then the +/- signals from the other XLR both to the other pin (R)? and then both pin 1s on the xlrs (ground, if i had it) would go to the ground on the mini jack? or do the - signals from each go to the shared ground on the mini jack? ps. sorry if this is already out there in the forums i tried searching but was unsure of what to put in the search box lol.
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Jul 12, 2007 at 7:44 PM Post #2 of 12
How is it I always see your threads before anyone else replies, I swear I'm not trying to do this...

The bottom line is this: it would be highly inadvisable to do what you're proposing. The weight of the 4 XLR jacks/plugs would pretty quickly toast the 1/8" jack in whatever it is that you're plugging the cable into.
 
Jul 12, 2007 at 7:47 PM Post #3 of 12
really? maybe u misunderstood what im trying to make, just a regular 2 xlr females to a mini? ie, to use balanced headphones on a single ended amp? im pretty sure ive seen this done quite a bit? not 4 XLR jacks on 1 mini, just 2..isnt that doable? if so..back to my question about which signals from the XLR go to which on the mini....

PS. lol nate i KNOW, i look and see ur the first thats replied and im just like "gulp" WAaaats he gunna scold me for this time!
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Jul 12, 2007 at 8:32 PM Post #4 of 12
ya ok after diggin around abit, i saw that moon audio etc definitely makes such a cable, so DIYing one shouldnt be too tough hopefully right? im ASSUMING that you misunderstood my first post n_maher, maybe you can clarify? all im tryin to make is an adapter cable, dual female XLRs to a 3.5mm mini jack. OR 1/4" even if for whatever reason 3.5 isnt ideal. just a little confused about which signals would go to which. i assume the + on each XLR would go to the corresponding L or R signal lug on the mini jack, but whatabout the - signals from each XLR, both to the ground on the mini, or combine them w/ the + signal on the L/R lugs (in which case i guess a ground, IF i had it on the xlrs, would combine and go to the ground?) or do the - signals combine and go to a shared G on the mini? anybody know? thanks
 
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:01 PM Post #5 of 12
You really need to start doing your own research as well as applying logic.

On the mini:
Tip: L+
Ring: R+
Sleeve: L-, R- (, and optional Shield)

For headphone cables, unshielded XLR is the better choice, IMO. Having a shield close to the conductors can negatively impact the signal, and having it farther away would make the cable bigger. Moreover, headphone cables are short and at the end of the chain, so the benefit of shielding the cable is very minimal at best. Finally, a metal shield adds heft and inflexibility to the cable and possibly microphonics.
 
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:07 PM Post #6 of 12
I understood perfectly what you were trying to do and was just trying to say that even if it's just an adapter the weight of all those XLR's hanging off an 1/8" plug is a recipe for badness. If you can use a 1/4" plug all the better.

I'll dig around, I've got the balanced connector diagram somewhere, just can't remember where. You'll only use two pins on each XLR, don't worry about the shield part, it's pretty much useless for headphones.
 
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:08 PM Post #7 of 12
Quote:

Originally Posted by threEchelon /img/forum/go_quote.gif
You really need to start doing your own research as well as applying logic.

On the mini:
Tip: L+
Ring: R+
Sleeve: L-, L+ (, and optional Shield)


I don't think connecting both L- and L+ to the sleeve is going to work out very well.
 
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:33 PM Post #8 of 12
Lol..I THINK it was a typo by thre! k im going WIThout ground on the XLRs, connecting my +'s TO the L and R, and the 2 -'s to the ground. KEWL...
 
Jul 13, 2007 at 11:29 PM Post #12 of 12
Oh yeah, the second post states that. I was thinking the other direction for some reason yeah.


in that case he needs a balun. Not like that is all that hard to build though (there are plans in my thread even
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). And the table still applies in the second link (interconnect 21, mini to xlr) even though I don't think it does what he wants.

So read my post for the links, and then ignore the rest so I can pretend I was still useful.
 
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