XRL microphone lead wiring

[Basso]

I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
record into Sonar 6 I get a lot of hum and interference through the
headphones which varies with the gain setting, and the recording level
on playback is very low, even with the gain turned right up, and
sometimes the recording level just fades out or drops out
completely. I have had my setup working very well in the past, and
am at a bit of a loss to know what the problem is.

I am recording onto my laptop, which I have unplugged from the mains
when recording to lessen noise. Could it simply be my XLR to XLR lead
which has broken down? I have taken the plugs apart to see if the
wiring is OK and I have noticed that the plug into the mic has a red
wire and a clear wire as well as the shielding, but the wire into the
audio interface has only the red wire and the shielding - the clear
wire is snipped off and not connected. This seems a bit odd to me - is
it correct?

Any suggestions where I should look?

Thanks

[Richard Crowley]

"Basso" wrote ...
>I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
> record into Sonar 6 I get a lot of hum and interference through the
> headphones which varies with the gain setting, and the recording level
> on playback is very low, even with the gain turned right up, and
> sometimes the recording level just fades out or drops out
> completely. I have had my setup working very well in the past, and
> am at a bit of a loss to know what the problem is.
>
> I am recording onto my laptop, which I have unplugged from the mains
> when recording to lessen noise. Could it simply be my XLR to XLR lead
> which has broken down? I have taken the plugs apart to see if the
> wiring is OK and I have noticed that the plug into the mic has a red
> wire and a clear wire as well as the shielding, but the wire into the
> audio interface has only the red wire and the shielding - the clear
> wire is snipped off and not connected. This seems a bit odd to me - is
> it correct?

No, that is not correct. Sounds like you cable is broken.
Did you mention what kind of connector is used on your audio interface?
Whatever kind of connector, it is unlikely that the cable will work properly
with the clear wire disconnected at one end.

The fix is likely just reconnecting the clear wire to the appropriate pin.

[Richard Crowley]

"Richard Crowley" wrote ...
> "Basso" wrote ...
>>I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
>> audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
>> record into Sonar 6 I get a lot of hum and interference through the
>> headphones which varies with the gain setting, and the recording level
>> on playback is very low, even with the gain turned right up, and
>> sometimes the recording level just fades out or drops out
>> completely. I have had my setup working very well in the past, and
>> am at a bit of a loss to know what the problem is.
>>
>> I am recording onto my laptop, which I have unplugged from the mains
>> when recording to lessen noise. Could it simply be my XLR to XLR lead
>> which has broken down? I have taken the plugs apart to see if the
>> wiring is OK and I have noticed that the plug into the mic has a red
>> wire and a clear wire as well as the shielding, but the wire into the
>> audio interface has only the red wire and the shielding - the clear
>> wire is snipped off and not connected. This seems a bit odd to me - is
>> it correct?
>
> No, that is not correct. Sounds like you cable is broken.
> Did you mention what kind of connector is used on your audio interface?
> Whatever kind of connector, it is unlikely that the cable will work
> properly
> with the clear wire disconnected at one end.
>
> The fix is likely just reconnecting the clear wire to the appropriate pin.

Duh! <palm hits forehead> I should have read more carefully.
If it is a conventional XLR to XLR microphone cable, for sure the broken
"clear wire" at one end is the cause of your problems. Re-solder it to the
corresponding pin (as it is connected at the other end.)

[Basso]

On 4 Apr, 18:29, "Richard Crowley" > wrote:
> "Basso" wrote ...
>
>
>
>
>
> >I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
> > record into Sonar 6 I get a lot of hum and interference through the
> > headphones which varies with the gain setting, and the recording level
> > on playback is very low, even with the gain turned right up, and
> > sometimes the recording level just fades out or drops out
> > completely. I have had my setup working very well in the past, and
> > am at a bit of a loss to know what the problem is.
>
> > I am recording onto my laptop, which I have unplugged from the mains
> > when recording to lessen noise. Could it simply be my XLR to XLR lead
> > which has broken down? I have taken the plugs apart to see if the
> > wiring is OK and I have noticed that the plug into the mic has a red
> > wire and a clear wire as well as the shielding, but the wire into the
> > audio interface has only the red wire and the shielding - the clear
> > wire is snipped off and not connected. This seems a bit odd to me - is
> > it correct?
>
> No, that is not correct. Sounds like you cable is broken.
> Did you mention what kind of connector is used on your audio interface?
> Whatever kind of connector, it is unlikely that the cable will work properly
> with the clear wire disconnected at one end.
>
> The fix is likely just reconnecting the clear wire to the appropriate pin.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't think it looked right - the
mystery is how it has happened! The cable has had only home studio
use and has been handled carefully. Perhaps I should get a better
quality one! Any suggestions? The one I had was a "Livewire
Professional OFC Low Noise Mic Cable - a pretty budget affair from
Turnkey. Would I notice a lot of difference with a more expensive
cable - apart from it not breaking just by looking at it!

Thanks for your help

[Scott Dorsey]

Basso > wrote:
>
>I am recording onto my laptop, which I have unplugged from the mains
>when recording to lessen noise. Could it simply be my XLR to XLR lead
>which has broken down? I have taken the plugs apart to see if the
>wiring is OK and I have noticed that the plug into the mic has a red
>wire and a clear wire as well as the shielding, but the wire into the
>audio interface has only the red wire and the shielding - the clear
>wire is snipped off and not connected. This seems a bit odd to me - is
>it correct?

This is broken.

>Any suggestions where I should look?

You found it. Resolder the connection that has come loose, and avoid
buying that brand of cable again.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Basso > wrote:
>
>Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't think it looked right - the
>mystery is how it has happened! The cable has had only home studio
>use and has been handled carefully. Perhaps I should get a better
>quality one! Any suggestions? The one I had was a "Livewire
>Professional OFC Low Noise Mic Cable - a pretty budget affair from
>Turnkey. Would I notice a lot of difference with a more expensive
>cable - apart from it not breaking just by looking at it!

You would notice a huge difference, BECAUSE a more expensive cable won't
break. Consider the Whirlwind cables, or the cheapies from Markertek.
Anything made with Switchcraft or Neutrik connectors and not the Asian
knockoffs is probably fine.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[[email protected]]

You should try new headphones.

[Richard Crowley]

"Scott Dorsey" wrote ...
> Basso wrote:
>>
>>Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't think it looked right - the
>>mystery is how it has happened! The cable has had only home studio
>>use and has been handled carefully. Perhaps I should get a better
>>quality one! Any suggestions? The one I had was a "Livewire
>>Professional OFC Low Noise Mic Cable - a pretty budget affair from
>>Turnkey. Would I notice a lot of difference with a more expensive
>>cable - apart from it not breaking just by looking at it!
>
> You would notice a huge difference, BECAUSE a more expensive cable won't
> break. Consider the Whirlwind cables, or the cheapies from Markertek.
> Anything made with Switchcraft or Neutrik connectors and not the Asian
> knockoffs is probably fine.

Apart from build-quality and catastrophic failure, I would
not expect that "Basso" will "hear" any difference between
those various brands of mic cables.

Even good-quality, name-brand cables break occasionally.
Nothing is perfect regardless of price/reputation.

It is simple enough to re-terminate the end and even swap
the connector for a better one. The main caution is to strip
the insulation from the inner wires properly so that they are
not "nicked" and vulnerable to this kind of breaking. NASA
requires that the insulation be stripped with a hot "knife"
to avoid any damage to the copper conductor that could
end up breaking while in outer space(!)

[hank alrich]

> wrote:

> You should try new headphones.

Naaah, the old ones are working fine.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[Scott Dorsey]

Richard Crowley > wrote:
>"Scott Dorsey" wrote ...
>> Basso wrote:
>>>
>>>Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't think it looked right - the
>>>mystery is how it has happened! The cable has had only home studio
>>>use and has been handled carefully. Perhaps I should get a better
>>>quality one! Any suggestions? The one I had was a "Livewire
>>>Professional OFC Low Noise Mic Cable - a pretty budget affair from
>>>Turnkey. Would I notice a lot of difference with a more expensive
>>>cable - apart from it not breaking just by looking at it!
>>
>> You would notice a huge difference, BECAUSE a more expensive cable won't
>> break. Consider the Whirlwind cables, or the cheapies from Markertek.
>> Anything made with Switchcraft or Neutrik connectors and not the Asian
>> knockoffs is probably fine.
>
>Apart from build-quality and catastrophic failure, I would
>not expect that "Basso" will "hear" any difference between
>those various brands of mic cables.

Isn't that enough?
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Mike Rivers]

On Apr 4, 1:40 pm, "Basso" > wrote:

> mystery is how it has happened! The cable has had only home studio
> use and has been handled carefully. Perhaps I should get a better
> quality one! Any suggestions?

**** breaks, and then you fix or replace it. Normally mic cables that
get reasonable care last a lifetime, but with today's cheaper-than-
yesterday quality, sometimes they just go too far. A fair price to pay
for a mic cable between 10 and 25 feet long is $20-25, and for that
price it should have Neutrik or Switchcraft connectors, not Asian
knockoffs. Gepco, Mogami, and Canare are good brands. No need to spend
much more, but spending less isn't good economy. Even Hosa brand
cables, who everyone here will tell you is pure junk, are guaranteed
for life.

Best to stay away from inexpensive music store brands (of which
Livewire is one). They tend to use poor quality connectors and
assembly isn't always up to par.

[Geoff]

Basso wrote:
> I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to


If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the wiring is
clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.

geoff

[Basso]

On 4 Apr, 22:58, "Geoff" > wrote:
> Basso wrote:
> > I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
>
> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the wiring is
> clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
>
> geoff

Huh?

[Geoff]

Basso wrote:
> On 4 Apr, 22:58, "Geoff" > wrote:
>> Basso wrote:
>>> I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
>>> audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
>>
>> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the
>> wiring is clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
>>
>> geoff
>
> Huh?

Read your subject line. The letters (if not the wiring) was scrambled !

;-)

geoff

[Richard Crowley]

"Basso" wrote ...
> "Geoff" wrote:
>> Basso wrote:
>> > I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
>> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
>>
>> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the wiring
>> is
>> clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
>
> Huh?

It doesn't make any sense to us, either. Ignore it.

[hank alrich]

Richard Crowley > wrote:

> "Basso" wrote ...
> > "Geoff" wrote:
> >> Basso wrote:
> >> > I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> >> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
> >>
> >> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the wiring
> >> is
> >> clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
> >
> > Huh?
>
> It doesn't make any sense to us, either. Ignore it.

Read the subject line...

Very funny, actually.

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[hank alrich]

Geoff > wrote:

> Basso wrote:
> > On 4 Apr, 22:58, "Geoff" > wrote:
> >> Basso wrote:
> >>> I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> >>> audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
> >>
> >> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the
> >> wiring is clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
> >>
> >> geoff
> >
> > Huh?
>
> Read your subject line. The letters (if not the wiring) was scrambled !
>
> ;-)
>
> geoff

LOL!

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[Richard Crowley]

"hank alrich" wrote ...
> Richard Crowley wrote:
>
>> "Basso" wrote ...
>> > "Geoff" wrote:
>> >> Basso wrote:
>> >> > I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
>> >> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
>> >>
>> >> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the
>> >> wiring
>> >> is
>> >> clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
>> >
>> > Huh?
>>
>> It doesn't make any sense to us, either. Ignore it.
>
> Read the subject line...
>
> Very funny, actually.

Doh! :-))

[hank alrich]

Richard Crowley wrote:

> "hank alrich" wrote ...
> > Richard Crowley wrote:
> >
> >> "Basso" wrote ...
> >> > "Geoff" wrote:
> >> >> Basso wrote:
> >> >> > I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> >> >> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
> >> >>
> >> >> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the
> >> >> wiring
> >> >> is
> >> >> clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
> >> >
> >> > Huh?
> >>
> >> It doesn't make any sense to us, either. Ignore it.
> >
> > Read the subject line...
> >
> > Very funny, actually.
>
> Doh! :-))

I missed it compoletely first round!

--
ha
Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

[Ray Thomas]

"hank alrich" > wrote in message
...
> Richard Crowley wrote:
>
>> "hank alrich" wrote ...
>> > Richard Crowley wrote:
>> >
>> >> "Basso" wrote ...
>> >> > "Geoff" wrote:
>> >> >> Basso wrote:
>> >> >> > I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording
>> >> >> > some
>> >> >> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >>
>> >> >> If you have a XRL cable , then no wonder your mic won't work - the
>> >> >> wiring
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> clearly scrambled. Rewire it as an XLR cable.
>> >> >
>> >> > Huh?
>> >>
>> >> It doesn't make any sense to us, either. Ignore it.
>> >
>> > Read the subject line...
>> >
>> > Very funny, actually.
>>
>> Doh! :-))
>
> I missed it compoletely first round!
>
> --
> ha
> Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

dyslexia rules, ko

[Basso]

On 4 Apr, 18:29, "Richard Crowley" > wrote:
> "Basso" wrote ...
>
>
>
>
>
> >I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
> > record into Sonar 6 I get a lot of hum and interference through the
> > headphones which varies with the gain setting, and the recording level
> > on playback is very low, even with the gain turned right up, and
> > sometimes the recording level just fades out or drops out
> > completely. I have had my setup working very well in the past, and
> > am at a bit of a loss to know what the problem is.
>
> > I am recording onto my laptop, which I have unplugged from the mains
> > when recording to lessen noise. Could it simply be my XLR to XLR lead
> > which has broken down? I have taken the plugs apart to see if the
> > wiring is OK and I have noticed that the plug into the mic has a red
> > wire and a clear wire as well as the shielding, but the wire into the
> > audio interface has only the red wire and the shielding - the clear
> > wire is snipped off and not connected. This seems a bit odd to me - is
> > it correct?
>
> No, that is not correct. Sounds like you cable is broken.
> Did you mention what kind of connector is used on your audio interface?
> Whatever kind of connector, it is unlikely that the cable will work properly
> with the clear wire disconnected at one end.
>
> The fix is likely just reconnecting the clear wire to the appropriate pin.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

All sorted now. Thanks for the help. (Note to self:don't buy cheap
gear, and don't try and type so fast!).

[Basso]

On 6 Apr, 10:28, "Basso" > wrote:
> On 4 Apr, 18:29, "Richard Crowley" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Basso" wrote ...
>
> > >I have been trying to isolate a problem I am having recording some
> > > audio. When I plug my mike (Rode NT1) into my Focusrite Sapphire to
> > > record into Sonar 6 I get a lot of hum and interference through the
> > > headphones which varies with the gain setting, and the recording level
> > > on playback is very low, even with the gain turned right up, and
> > > sometimes the recording level just fades out or drops out
> > > completely. I have had my setup working very well in the past, and
> > > am at a bit of a loss to know what the problem is.
>
> > > I am recording onto my laptop, which I have unplugged from the mains
> > > when recording to lessen noise. Could it simply be my XLR to XLR lead
> > > which has broken down? I have taken the plugs apart to see if the
> > > wiring is OK and I have noticed that the plug into the mic has a red
> > > wire and a clear wire as well as the shielding, but the wire into the
> > > audio interface has only the red wire and the shielding - the clear
> > > wire is snipped off and not connected. This seems a bit odd to me - is
> > > it correct?
>
> > No, that is not correct. Sounds like you cable is broken.
> > Did you mention what kind of connector is used on your audio interface?
> > Whatever kind of connector, it is unlikely that the cable will work properly
> > with the clear wire disconnected at one end.
>
> > The fix is likely just reconnecting the clear wire to the appropriate pin.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> All sorted now. Thanks for the help. (Note to self:don't buy cheap
> gear, and don't try and type so fast!).- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I have also found out that the phantom power on my Sapphire was faulty
too - replaced and serviced under warrantee by Focusrite in double
quick time (pat on the back to them) and system now recording
brilliantly.

[Mike Rivers]

On May 5, 4:19 am, Basso > wrote:

> I have also found out that the phantom power on my Sapphire was faulty

Amazing, isn't it, how things work right when they're working right. ;)