microphone cable impedance

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endertak
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microphone cable impedance

Post by endertak » Sun Apr 17, 2016 6:10 pm

I'm getting around to be more serious about making my own cables.
I assume that there is some sort of minimum impedance desired for cable runs that are between 10 and 20 feet long. Can someone please enlighten me on the particulars of that?

Hoping on grabbing some affordable mic cable for all my various studio gear, so it'd be mostly balanced cable for synths and drum machines etc.

Thanks for any thoughts on minimum gauge and/or impedance, conductivity, capacitance, shielding, etc.
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Magnetic Services
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Post by Magnetic Services » Sun Apr 17, 2016 7:20 pm

I've been using Pro Co Dynamike 224S (24 gauge I think?) for XLR and TRS cables. I don't know the specs very well, but I haven't had any problems with it yet.

As far as I know, braided shields are 90-95% effective, and allow the cable to bend a little more naturally. Foil shields are supposed to be almost completely effective but not as flexible.

I have also been hunting for a good brand of multi-pair snake cable though, as I get more ambitious about re-doing my patchbays. Hopefully someone who replies can suggest something!

dfuruta
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Post by dfuruta » Sun Apr 17, 2016 7:47 pm

edit: duplicate
Last edited by dfuruta on Sun Apr 17, 2016 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

dfuruta
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Post by dfuruta » Sun Apr 17, 2016 7:48 pm

most modern audio equipment should have fairly low impedance outputs (under a couple hundred ohms), and audio frequencies are relatively low. so, i wouldn't worry about impedance & capacitance for 20'. a few hundred, maybe.

like magnetic services said, shielding and durability are bigger concerns.

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Nick Sevilla
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Post by Nick Sevilla » Mon Apr 18, 2016 8:17 am

I like the Canare Star Quad cables for microphones.

http://www.canare.com/ProductItemList.a ... tegoryID=5
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

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JWL
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Post by JWL » Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:59 pm

Nick Sevilla wrote:I like the Canare Star Quad cables for microphones.
I've had good luck with this cable too. I'm not 100% convinced quad is necessary, but it don't hurt.

I got mine from Redco.

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Nick Sevilla
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Post by Nick Sevilla » Tue Apr 19, 2016 6:14 am

To me it's more about the ruggedness.

Manly cable. Can take the abuse.

:lol:
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

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Scodiddly
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Post by Scodiddly » Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:43 am

Audio cable doesn't have, or need, a characteristic impedance like antenna cable. That's because the frequencies aren't high enough for that to even remotely matter.

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vvv
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Post by vvv » Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:46 am

I frequently use crappy Banjo-Mart and Ebog-bought mic cable's; I consider them to be something between a filter and a special effect.

:twisted:
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Drone
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Post by Drone » Tue Apr 19, 2016 11:28 am

What sort of price does Banjo-Mart have on cables?
The previous statement is from a guy who records his own, and other projects for fun. No money is made.

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vvv
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Post by vvv » Tue Apr 19, 2016 12:15 pm

I've gotten 20' guitar cables and 20' XLR mic cables at US$10 during sales, and sometimes just on the floor. For some reason they seem to throw the tied circles onto mic stands a lot, literally "on the floor".

Also, if you buy a guitar, etc., they'll often throw in a cable.

I have no problem cutting up and re-ending guitar cables for patch cords for the bay or for FX pedal-boards.
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Post by Jim Williams » Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:13 am

I use Belden 9182 LAN network cable for mics. 150 ohm impedance, 70% propagation delay (70% the speed of light) teflon insulation and 22 AWG wire.

It's 8 pf per foot stray capacitance, very low. Compared to star quad, it's like after your ears pop landing in a jet. I have little or no need to boost the hi end as I don't lose any of it.

Paramount Pictures rewired their entire foley building with it after I brought a few long runs down to evaluate. I use Neutrik connectors with the plastic inserts pounded out to clear the cable diameter.
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