mini xlr cable interest? [Archive]

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Koa M. Stone

01-19-2008, 10:08 AM

James Mathers

01-19-2008, 11:05 AM

As a point of comparison, I just had some Mini XLR to Full Size XLR adaptors made with 8" cables at Location Sound Corp, (LSC) in North Hollywood; they charged me $90 for four. With economies of scale, making many cables at once, perhaps you can offer these less expensively.

Another helpful cable would be the XLR to 5 pin Lemo in order to bring time code into for Jam Sync purposes. LSC sells these premade for $60 each.

James Mathers
Cinematographer
President of the Digital Cinema Society
RED Owner #30

LEON

01-19-2008, 11:09 AM

Michael Hastings

01-19-2008, 11:16 AM

Howdy,

I've been mixing live sound for a while now, and of course we make and repair our own cables... So I thought why not build some "red" cables for the red guys-I'm going to need some for myself anyway. I usually use canare and was thinking of a mini xlr to regular xlr to start. I know the custom cable thing has been mentioned in a few threads but I can't find them...

Any interest?

Best,
Koa

How about a mini snake that takes two, three, or four mini xlrs to a larger connector then the mating connector to five to 10 feet of cable breaking out to full size xlr's on the other end. We used these kind of cables - except with full size xlr's for years with betacams and such - so the camera guy has a quick disconnect at the camera so he can quickly mate or unmate from the audio guy. This would do that plus provide the conversion from mini to full size.

I think you could do 3 pin male mini-xlrs to a 7 pin regular xlr, then the other cable would be 7 pin xlr to 3 regular male xlrs. I didn't see any 8 pin xlrs in my quick search. The fourth mini-xlr side connector could be used for on-camera mic.

David Birdy

01-19-2008, 06:27 PM

How about a mini snake that takes two, three, or four mini xlrs to a larger connector then the mating connector to five to 10 feet of cable breaking out to full size xlr's on the other end. We used these kind of cables - except with full size xlr's for years with betacams and such - so the camera guy has a quick disconnect at the camera so he can quickly mate or unmate from the audio guy. This would do that plus provide the conversion from mini to full size.

I think you could do 3 pin male mini-xlrs to a 7 pin regular xlr, then the other cable would be 7 pin xlr to 3 regular male xlrs. I didn't see any 8 pin xlrs in my quick search. The fourth mini-xlr side connector could be used for on-camera mic.

Cable adaptor update !

I found a great solution for all of the Mini XLR’S and will get the parts ordered this weekend.

This multi-cable will plug six mini xlrs to a standard multi pinned connector.
Then a fan-out on the other end to regular xlrs for the audio Dept. 3 pieces + any spares if you need them.
Please specify the lengths needed? The Lemo time code parts ARE in stock now.

We also have a BNC mult cable to adapt the small coax connectors on the camera to standard size BNC cables.

I’m also working on the Lemo Remote Start/stop control and Remote tally.

PM me for questions or special needs.

Dave

dino g

01-19-2008, 09:07 PM

coffey sound (http://www.coffeysound.com/home.php?xid=e3c0da4a7d33e664487870d82a28b4da) has also made cables for us.

Chris Kenny

01-19-2008, 09:41 PM

Any ideas on where to look in New York?

Ivan G

01-19-2008, 10:57 PM

Cable adaptor update !

I found a great solution for all of the Mini XLR’S and will get the parts ordered this weekend.

This multi-cable will plug six mini xlrs to a standard multi pinned connector.
Then a fan-out on the other end to regular xlrs for the audio Dept. 3 pieces + any spares if you need them.
Please specify the lengths needed? The Lemo time code parts ARE in stock now.

We also have a BNC mult cable to adapt the small coax connectors on the camera to standard size BNC cables.

I’m also working on the Lemo Remote Start/stop control and Remote tally.

PM me for questions or special needs.

Dave

So how much longer Dave?

Poi Boy

01-19-2008, 11:10 PM

coffey sound (http://www.coffeysound.com/home.php?xid=e3c0da4a7d33e664487870d82a28b4da) has also made cables for us.

coffey made some for me as well.
Aloha
-A

Wes Printz

01-19-2008, 11:27 PM

I am offering customizable solutions for cables. I currently making single Mini-XLR TA3-XLR and TA5-XLR, I will also bundle all 4 Ch with Audio Mon etc... Making LEMO - LEMO and LEMO to XLR Timecode along with various control and power cables.

PM your requests, and i'll advise.

I'll be delivering the first of many remote start/stop cables requested, next week week. Demand has been high, parts on order for more. Pictures will be posted soon.

Michael Hastings

01-20-2008, 07:05 AM

Cable adaptor update !

This multi-cable will plug six mini xlrs to a standard multi pinned connector.
Then a fan-out on the other end to regular xlrs for the audio Dept. 3 pieces + any spares if you need them.

I’m also working on the Lemo Remote Start/stop control and Remote tally.

Dave

Dave: why six mini xlrs? camera only has 4 3 pins and 1 5 pin for the time code.

Also could you PM me a price for say 10 pcs of your Lemo remote start/stop and tally - approx 20" cable length, tally would be split from start stop switch location (inside underwater housing)

David Birdy

01-20-2008, 01:21 PM

Dave: why six mini xlrs? camera only has 4 3 pins and 1 5 pin for the time code.

Also could you PM me a price for say 10 pcs of your Lemo remote start/stop and tally - approx 20" cable length, tally would be split from start stop switch location (inside underwater housing)

Dave: why six mini xlrs? camera only has 4 3 pins and 1 5 pin for the time code.

We are offering a one connection break out for all TA3 Mini XLR from the side of the REDOne, including Four inputs and Two Monitor outputs. The single connector parts are ordered. I found this solution after talking with a few owners and understanding their need to have the least amount of connectors when moving from location to location.
This will allow all six Mini XLR's to remain in the camera and untouched by crew menebers.

The Time code connector is in stock and is One 5-Pin Lemo to two standard XLR connector, one being Male one being Female for in & out time code.

The Five wire coax parts are in stock. This is a color coded coax snake that converts the Mini coax connectors on the camera to Standard Female coax connectors. I am able to make these cables in custom lengths...so PM me.

Also could you PM me a price for say 10 pcs of your Lemo remote start/stop and tally - approx 20" cable length, tally would be split from start stop switch location (inside underwater housing)[/QUOTE]

I will PM you. The Lemo 5-Pin remote for start and stop will be broken out to standard xlr connectors. The Tally will be broken out to one standard XLR connector.

Dave

philper

01-20-2008, 04:21 PM

David Birdy

01-20-2008, 04:53 PM

Is there any thought of making a snake with 4 audio in, 2ch audio out (which is all the audio out Red has), TC and monitor video? That would be what I would want on a job doing sound for a Red cam. I hope there is some easy way to program what channels are in the audio return. How does one genlock 2 (or more) Reds?

Philip Perkins CAS

I can make the cable mult in any configuration you specify.

The black burst input is supplied by an external source. If you like to lock time code an external time code signal can be used or a small device known as a
"Lock box" to lock each camera. Some cameras will remained locked for a certain amount of time with a one time Jam Sync source. We will test the RED One to understand how long it will hold "Time code" when we receive our two cameras.

PM me for custom cable orders or questions.
Dave

Ed Watkins

01-21-2008, 08:14 AM

Would these do the job for adapting the RED's mini-XLR to standard XLR's?

http://www.djpricecheck.co.uk/listing/Mini_XLR_Male_to_Female_XLR_Adapter/1000179133/

philper

01-21-2008, 11:22 AM

Would these do the job for adapting the RED's mini-XLR to standard XLR's?

http://www.djpricecheck.co.uk/listing/Mini_XLR_Male_to_Female_XLR_Adapter/1000179133/

These would be great to have for use in an emergency, but for normal use I would rather see a cable w/ the necessary connectors at both ends that can be festooned or swagged in a way that takes all the weight and strain off the camera's connectors. Snakes and cable adapters we can fix in the field, but breaking the innards of an onboard connector would mean a trip back to Red. I'd say that babying them would be a good idea.

Philip Perkins CAS

luis bustamante

01-21-2008, 02:10 PM

Would these do the job for adapting the RED's mini-XLR to standard XLR's?

http://www.djpricecheck.co.uk/listing/Mini_XLR_Male_to_Female_XLR_Adapter/1000179133/

hi, from my experience, that type of adapter puts a lot of stress in the connector. I would go for a wired option to be safe.

Mike Paul

01-21-2008, 05:10 PM

It would be relatively easy to modify a standard 2ch "Beta-Snake" for connection to the Red. Simply replacing the standard XLR's on the camera end of the snake with the TA3M "mini-xlr" connectors would do the trick. That would give the Sound Mixer the ability to send 2 channels of audio to the Red with a headphone return going back to the mixer (with an aux headphone tap for the camera operator). The standard camera end of the breakaway cable is about 2ft, so there wouldn't be a danger of the larger breakaway connector hitting (and scratching!!) the side of the camera.

Weight is an issue, in that the orientation of the audio inputs on the Red will cause excessive strain on the TA3 connectors, so it would be advised to strap down the multipin breakaway somewhere to provide some strain relief.

For Multichannel (4ch) snakes with a headphone return, a breakaway could be used (albeit a larger one), but a non-breakaway would be easier and cheaper to build.

We've built and/or modified several cables for the Red, but really any Audio house that can build cables should have no problem making you whatever you want. The connectors and cables(TA3, XLR, Lemo, Quad/Multi-cable, etc.) are all very common to us, and the parts are usually in stock.

Mike Paul
LSC

Robert Kennedy

01-24-2008, 03:18 PM

Coffey Sound has pre-made RED cables for sale at:
http://www.coffeysound.com/home.php?cat=133

We have tried to provide the basic cables but are happy to make cables for more specific uses.

Robert Kennedy
Sales Manager, Coffey Sound

Fergus Meiklejohn

01-24-2008, 07:44 PM

"mini xlr" is TA3 yes? As we use on a Sound Devices 744T for example?

Wes Printz

01-25-2008, 04:23 AM

"mini xlr" is TA3 yes? As we use on a Sound Devices 744T for example?

Yes, this is correct.

Ed Watkins

01-25-2008, 04:24 AM

Hi I have two questions for some of the knowledgeable chaps here. I've been meaning to try making cables for a while and this gives me an excuse to give it a go, so I apologize if these are stupid questions.

What are the breakaway connectors for audio snakes called, and who makes them? I been searching for ages and am still coming up blank...

Also, I want to make a Y-cable XLR-F to 2x TA3M to connect a camera mounted mic (so I can record two channels one hotter than the other).

I was going to use two lengths of mogami mic cable and wire them both to the XLR-F (1,2,3) pins then each to the corresponding TA3M's (1,2,3) pins.
Will that work correctly? Or should I wire them XLR-F pin 1 to right TA3M pin 2, XLR-F pin 2 to left TA3M pin 2, XLR-F pin 3 to both TA3M's?

Wes Printz

01-25-2008, 04:32 AM

What are the breakaway connectors for audio snakes called, and who makes them? I been searching for ages and am still coming up blank...

There could be many different ones, depending on how many ch you have etc... For some of the smaller mixers, PSC, Cooper, Sound Devices, you could use a Neutricon Connector, or HIROSE. For multi ch snakes, with A/V, you may want to look into EDAC.

Also, I'm making a Y-cable XLR-F to 2x TA3M to connect a camera mounted mic (so I can record two channels one hotter than the other).

I was going to use two lengths of mogami mic cable and wire them both to the XLR-F (1,2,3) pins then each to the corresponding TA3M's (1,2,3) pins. Will that work correctly? Or should I wire them XLR-F pin 1 to right TA3M pin 2, XLR-F pin 2 to right TA3M pin 2, XLR-F pin 3 to both TA3M's?

I'll leave the second question to someone that can actually test this on a RED. I awaitng the local unit to return from being X'd as is the owner.

Curran Giddens

01-25-2008, 06:17 AM

LEON

01-25-2008, 07:56 AM

We have tried to provide the basic cables but are happy to make cables for more specific uses.

Robert Kennedy
Sales Manager, Coffey Sound[/QUOTE]

Can you make the miniXlr side of the cable at a right angle so that the cable naturally goes down ?

Jeff Murton

01-25-2008, 11:37 AM

Who makes the best quality TA3 connectors?
Does anyone on this thread have a Mogami catalogue?

I'm happy with my Mogami Multichannel Mic snake (Part No. 2602: 2 channels + camera headphone return) but I will need to upgrade this to a 4 channel + headphone RTN equivalent).

Great to learn mini-XLR = TA3 which is compatible with the Sound Devices line.

Wes Printz

01-25-2008, 01:44 PM

Who makes the best quality TA3 connectors?
Does anyone on this thread have a Mogami catalogue?

For quality TA3, go with Switchcraft.

Mogami Catalog:

ftp://ftp.mogami-wire.co.jp/pub/mit/catalog.pdf

TA3 Connectors NOT available in Right Angle.

redrum

02-03-2008, 08:03 PM

Wouldn't the ideal be a breakaway cable that could send all four channels from an SD442? SD442 has four TA3M outputs, RED has four TA3F inputs, so design something that provides for four channel direct recording plus return and headphone and make it a breakaway design, probly need to make two versions so that the mixer can send two channel fullsize XLR output mixed for use with any mixer, or four channel mini XLR for use with a dedicated output like the 442.

Coffey or Pana-Tech, make that cable and that's all we need.

Wes Printz

02-04-2008, 12:29 AM

what lengths? seems a one size won't fit all here. one wants this one wants that. Ideas on lengths and wants??

redrum

02-04-2008, 09:24 AM

Take the cue from the betasp FP33 breakaway snake, we need that same functionality but updated for Red/SD442. So a reasonably short camera cable with headphone return and four mini-XLRs and a decent run length to the mixer with either four mini-XLRs or maybe we want the option of taking the two-channel out and also the four raw outs so maybe the mixer side is four mini-XLR and two full-size, and the camera side is six mini-XLR (four direct, two full-size-to-mini) plus appropriate headphone return and boom op/camera op headphone output.

But take the design cue from the existing ENG-standard beta snake, we need the same thing but just brought into 2008.

Jeff Murton

02-04-2008, 05:36 PM

I'm not sure if some of this posting should be in another thread. Please excuse me if it seems I'm rambling...

In the short-term I'm not ordering a 4 channel + camera headphone monitor snake with TA3m for the Red-side and 2 XLR + 2 TA3m on the mixer side. I'll wait another month or two and see what solutions other companies present.

A Documentary Perpective with SD 302
It looks like most of us are on a quest of an elegant, strike that, a working solution that avoids the sync trials of a dual recording system...

I currently own an SD 302. It’s an elegant slim, form factor, but only has 3 adjustable inputs with 2 outputs. For that matter the 442 is still has only adjustable 2 outputs. I love the bright proprietary LED display in the shape of VU meters and am loath to give it up for a lowly USBpre –(which has the same dimensions, minus the ‘wings’). The SD 442 is more than twice the size & mass of the SD 302.

Proposed Audio Modules for Red Camera
In the other Reduser.net > Red Digital Cinema > Audio thread there are numerous gripes about the decision to use the mini-XLR / TA3f;
here's an proposal for future Red camera audio modules: provide one single 4 channel + 4 channel variable connection, ideally, near the camera headphone monitor jack (like that comes out of a A-Format or B-Format multichannel mic). This allows Red other companies to build audio break-out boxes specific to the needs of the documentary community (which seems to be left behind).

Conversation with Sound Devices
I called one of the techs at Sound Devices last week and spoke to them about the form factor of the SD USBpre and the issue that the SD 442 is really only has two controlled outputs (channels 3 & 4 being pass-thru). I told him I was looking for a slim form-factor (302-like) that 4 controllable outputs (currently they only provide this on the SD 744T)

I asked what if they might consider building something specific to the needs of the Red community that was smaller than the SD 442 and how many units do they need to make it worthwhile. I also mentioned it seemed that hadn't released any new products for a long time.

He didn't really answer the question but instead said they have other products under development that compliment their existing line and that alway consider requests from those using their equipment. We should submit these requests to:
support@sounddevices.com

When the conversation ended, I was left with the impression that we should email them with our requests for a small 4 channel, Red-compatible, mixer.

Some size and weight stats for Sound Devices: Mixpre, 302, USBpre, & 442

While the SD302 can be configured to pass thru additional channels 4 +5 (see The “Five Channel” 302 Mixer. )
http://www.sounddevices.com/notes/mixers/302-inputs-4-5/#more-181

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292980-REG/Sound_Devices_302_302_Portable_3_Channel.html
SD 302 Dimensions 1.8 x 8.4 x 4.5" (47 x 214 x 114mm= 1146 cubic centimetres) (HxWxD) Weight 1.8 lbs (0.85 kg)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292988-REG/Sound_Devices_MIXPRE_Mixpre_Portable_2.html
Dimensions 1.7 x 3.7 x 5.5" (43 x 94 x 140mm= 566 cubic centimetres) (HxWxD) Weight 2.0 lbs (0.8 kg)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428648-REG/Sound_Devices__442_ENG_EFP_Deluxe_Field.html
SD 442 Dimensions 2.1 x 6.5 x 11" (53 x 165 x 279mm= 2440 cubic centimetres) (HxWxD) Weight 4.5 lbs (2.0 kg)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292993-REG/Sound_Devices_USBPRE15_USBPre_Version_1_5_.html

Mike Paul

02-04-2008, 05:54 PM

"For that matter the 442 is still has only adjustable 2 outputs"

I think you've got it backwards. The SD422 does have 2 main (L/R) outputs designed to carry the stereo mix of the four inputs, but it also has four "pre-fader" direct outputs on TA3 connectors whose levels are controlled by the trim pot next to each inputs fader. That means that each input has a dedicated and isolated line level direct output.

You could easily make a 4 channel snake cable to go from the 442 to the Red to record individual tracks.

Jeff Murton

02-04-2008, 11:13 PM

Mike, thanks for the clarification, I was confusing in that post.
Good point.

I know it's not an issue to make a 4 channel snake to got from the SD 442 to the Red. I prefer a field mixer that is smaller though that the 442.

What I was meaning to convey in the previous post is that I'd like to see all 4 channels metered - in a smaller form-factor than the 2.4 litre-sized 442! Anders Holck suggested using two SD 302s in one post to accomplish this.

philper

02-04-2008, 11:24 PM

PSC is making me a Red-connectorized "camera-end" for their standard Beta snake. It is being sold thru Location Sound in LA. I told them they could expect a lot more orders for this.

Philip Perkins CAS

Mike Paul

02-05-2008, 08:08 AM

Jeff Wrote:
"I'd like to see all 4 channels metered - in a smaller form-factor than the 2.4 litre-sized 442!"

Ok, then what you're looking for is basically a 4 channel mic pre with metering. Ganging two SD302's would work, but you might want to think about ganging two SD Mix-Pre's instead. It's much more convenient (from a Sound Mixer's perspective) to have it all in one mixer, but two Mix-Pre's is about as small as it gets.

Claus Mueller

02-05-2008, 09:44 AM

Can I use this cable to connect my Sennheiser Me66/K6 to the RED mini XLR input?

http://www.coffeysound.com/product.php?productid=796&cat=133&page=1

David Birdy

02-05-2008, 10:14 AM

Can I use this cable to connect my Sennheiser Me66/K6 to the RED mini XLR input?

http://www.coffeysound.com/product.php?productid=796&cat=133&page=1

That will do it Claus.

Dave

Claus Mueller

02-05-2008, 10:20 AM

Thanks a lot!

Len M.

02-13-2008, 10:55 AM

Any ideas on where to look in New York?

Chris Stubbs at Redco Audio in Connecticut (www.redco.com, 203-502-7600) can supply them at low cost. They made up four 6-foot XLR-F to mini-XLR-M cables for hooking our TetraMic to RED -- we had them in three days.

S. Um

02-13-2008, 10:34 PM

Is anybody making a Y adapter XLR-F to 2 mini-XLR-M? This way we can record 1 input to 2 channels with different level settings.

Greg David

02-14-2008, 03:47 AM

coffey made some for me as well.
Aloha
-A

love those guys!

Ed Watkins

02-14-2008, 03:57 AM

Is anybody making a Y adapter XLR-F to 2 mini-XLR-M? This way we can record 1 input to 2 channels with different level settings.

I am. I'm no audio expert, but I'm making my own.

You can buy all the parts you need here:

Mogami Mini Quad Mic Cable (Red, $0.64 a foot): http://www.sjmediasystem.com/2893-rd.html
TA3M - Switchcraft Mini XLR Connectors ($4.95 each): http://www.sjmediasystem.com/ta3m.html
NC3FXX - Neutrik 3-Pin XX Series XLR-F Cable Connectors ($2.18 each): http://www.sjmediasystem.com/nc3fxx.html

Shipping's a bit pricey for cable though. Hope that helps.

Emanuele

02-17-2009, 10:43 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm in the process to do Red audio cable for myself.
I used the camera last week-end for the first time and actually I'm going to do a snake cable to connect an Edirol R4Pro to feed the 4 audio channel and get back the TC and audio out for monitoring purposes.
If anyone, mainly in Europe, need some specific cable either for RED either for any other purpose, please contact me. I 'll try to sort out any request.

Cheers.

Emanuele