XLR to RCA cables

gidrah

I need to make a few sets of interconnects with XLR on one end and RCA on the other. I was wondering if anybody knew which prong was +, -, ground on the XLR plugs. Or if somebody had a good source for inexpensive cables of this description.

unc2701

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_id/85120

But as anonymouse mentioned, this isn't a balanced cable, so you're better off getting a good RCA interconnect (also unballanced) than using a cheap rca-xlr.

bknauss

DIY way to do it:
Tie Pin 1 and 3 together to the ground (shield) of the RCA
Pin 2 to the hot (signal/positive/whatever) of the RCA.

gidrah

Thanks guys. I don't have a noise problem. I am looking at either bi-amping a pair of Altecs or tri-amping a pair of LaScalas. Unfortunately my crossover only has XLR ins/outs.

HBombToo

Originally posted by gidrah
Thanks guys. I don't have a noise problem. I am looking at either bi-amping a pair of Altecs or tri-amping a pair of LaScalas. Unfortunately my crossover only has XLR ins/outs.

send a pm to Russman. He can hook you up with a great adapter if its not traded. Trust me when I say this adapter is the the real deal!

Twin

cj4qts

Sounds like you're getting everything except the information you really need.

Anyway, the XLR pins are as follows:

PIN 1: Shield
PIN 2: Neg (-)
PIN 3: Hot (+)

I also tie the shield to the 4th post which is marked "Ground" or sometimes just "G". I was taught this years ago which will help in shielding out any unwanted noise. Then on the RCA end, tie the neg and the shield together and solder both to the neg post.

If you're still looking for a good source of cables, connectors, etc. check out:

http://www.markertek.com/

I have purchased many items from them throughout the years and have never had a problem! MarkerTek offers just about anything you would need for cables and connectors and in any size.

I am a video producer/audio tech and have always made most of my own audio/video cables. Not just to save the money (which is always a good thing though), but more because I enjoy it. It's a good stress reliever for me.

You can save money by doing it yourself, but make sure, and I repeat, MAKE SURE you buy good connectors and good cable. DO NOT buy Radio Shack or equivalent parts. They are very inexpensive because it is made overseas and made very cheap. Just like anything else, you get what you pay for.

Good luck and feel free to contact me directly if you have any more questions. I'd love to help. God Bless,

Andy

iol@centurytel.net

bknauss

Andy, the AES standard for the hot pin is pin 2. There are only a few companies that use pin 3 as hot.

cj4qts

I aoplogize. This is how I have always made my audio cables which interconnect between mixing consoles, balanced video camera audio inputs, record decks, etc.

How have they been working and interconnecting I wonder?

cj4qts

Thanks for the information but I am still confused. Could you please be a little more specific?

Are you saying that the cable is still carrying the signal but it is out of phase?

I use these cables with cables that I have had to purchase, or have aquired from other sources. Now I'm really confused!

Whadyasay

Careful....I think there's more to the differences between XLR and RCA than just +/- connections and such. Many audio components, at least in professional audio/video/instrument, have two sets of inputs/outputs...HI and LO impedance...in which one is an XLR, and the other is a 1/4" jack which functions more similar to an RCA jack than the XLR. For inter-useability, an external 'little black box' is used (line level matcher?), otherwise you get either no sound or some very loud noise which can cause some damage to the equipment. This may not be the case with your component, but check to make sure before you just simply hook up a straight adapter.

cj4qts

Are you referring to low-level and high-level signals (Hi Z & Lo Z)?

High level signals are usually RCA or 1/4" outputs from components, sometimes called "tape level" or "line level" (EQ ins and outs, DVD player audio outs, CD player audio outs, etc.). Low level signals are usually that produced from microphones (usually called "mic level") and are usually XLR connections. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe most "pre-amp" outs are line level? But on the other end of things, I have had some amps that have had switchable inputs (line level or mic level).

I believe low (mic) level signals are -20db and high level signals (line) are +4db. I'm not sure on that but if I remember right that's what it was.

A line level signal plugged into a mic level input will produce an extremely distorted, unusable audio signal, and a mic level signal plugged into a line level input will produce a very faint, also unusable audio signal. You aren't going to hurt your equipment if you mismatch either way.