Microphone cables: varieties and selection rules

A lot depends on the quality of the microphone cable - mainly how the audio signal will be transmitted, how feasible this transmission will be without the influence of electromagnetic interference. For people whose activities are related to the field of the music industry or speaker-performances, it is well known that The purity of the audio signal depends not only on the quality of the audio equipment, but also on the properties of the microphone cable.

Despite the fact that digital wireless technologies are now ubiquitous, The highest quality and purest sound without electromagnetic interference so far can only be obtained if high-quality cable connections are used for this purpose. Today it is not difficult to choose and purchase a microphone cable - they come in a certain length, are made of various materials and have specific purposes. To make the right choice, you need to know and take into account some important nuances.

A microphone cable is a special electrical wire that has a soft copper wire inside. There is an insulation layer around the core, in some models there may be several insulation layers and they consist of various polymeric materials. One such insulating braid is the cable shield. It is made of copper wire, the screen density in a high-quality cable should be at least 70%. The outer sheath of the cable is usually made of polyvinyl chloride, that is, PVC.

The microphone wire serves as a commutation connection for microphone equipment. With the help of such a cable, a mixing console, a studio microphone, concert equipment and similar switching options are connected.

The microphone cable is connected to audio equipment. using a dedicated XLR connectorthat fits any audio system. The best sound quality is provided by microphone cables, the inner core of which is made of oxygen-free copper, resistant to the formation of oxidative processes.

Typically, any microphone cable has so-called XLR connectors installed at each end of the length of the cord. These connectors have their own designations: on one end of the cable there is a TRS connector, and on the other, opposite end of it, there is a USB connector.

It is important to connect the cable with connectors correctly - for example, a USB connector is connected to a sound source in the form of a sound card. A two-wire cable can be used to connect an amplifier and a mixer, as well as connect a mixing console to a microphone. There are 2 types of microphone cables.

This microphone cable is also called balanced, for the fact that it has an increased degree of resistance to electromagnetic interference. This type of cord is considered the most suitable option for connections where a long distance is required. The symmetrical cable is reliable in use, its conductivity is not affected even by severe weather conditions, including high humidity.

This type of microphone cable is also called installation cable, it is much inferior in sound transmission quality to a symmetrical cord and is used where perfectly clear sound without electromagnetic interference of various levels is not so important. For example, it is used when connecting a microphone in home karaoke, for holding mass events in a shopping center, when connecting a microphone to a tape recorder or music center, and so on.

In order to protect the microphone cable from the effects of electromagnetic background noise, the cord is protected by special so-called shields, which look like a common cable and a grounding cord. The shielded method of sound transmission is used in the field of professional music concerts, for studio recordings, and so on. The shield will help protect the microphone cable from interference such as radio frequency waves, dimmer radiation, fluorescent lamps, rheostat, and other devices. Several shielding options are available to protect the microphone cord.

To decide on the choice of a microphone wire model, it is important to first study the parameters and compare for yourself several options that are offered by various manufacturers. You should rely on their rating, consumer reviews, and also find out the compatibility of the microphone cord model with the equipment you have - professional or amateur level. Consider the models of the most famous and high-quality brands.

• Proel manufactures a model of the BULK250LU5 brand cord Is a professional microphone cord suitable for stage performances. The terminals of this wire are nickel-plated and have a silver color, which means a high degree of wear resistance. The length of the cord is 5 m, it is made in China, the average price is 800 rubles. The quality of the material is durable, oxygen-free copper is used, thanks to which the manufacturer guarantees a long service life.

• The manufacturer Klotz launches a model of the MC 5000 brand cord - this option can be purchased in any quantity, since the delivery is carried out in bays and is sold on a cut. The cable contains 2 insulated copper conductors and is well protected from electromagnetic frequency interference. It is most often used for studio performances. It has a diameter of 7 mm, is flexible and strong enough. The length of the cord in the bay is 100 m, it is made in Germany, the average price is 260 rubles.

• Vention launches XLR M to XLR F - this option is intended for connection with professional equipment such as Hi-Fi and High-End. If you need to connect a stereo amplifier, then you need to purchase 2 pairs of such a cable, which is sold 5 m in length with nickel-plated connectors installed on it. This wire is made in China, its average cost is 500 rubles. This model is assessed by experts as of high quality, it can be used for audio and video equipment and for computer systems.

• Klotz launches OT206Y brand DMX cord Is a three-core cable made of tinned copper. Has double shielding of aluminum foil and copper braid. Its diameter is 6 mm, it is sold in coils or cut in the required quantity. Used to transmit audio as a digital AES / EBU signal. Produced in Germany, the average cost is 150 rubles.

• Vention launches Jack 6.3 mm M cord - it is used to transmit audio signals in mono format. This wire is shielded with aluminum foil and has silver-plated pointed ferrules at the ends. The length of the wire is 3 m, it is produced in China, the average cost is 600 rubles. The outer diameter of the cable is 6.5mm, it is suitable for connecting with DVD player, microphone, computer and speakers. In addition, this brand supports the effect of amplifying the sound transmission signal.

Choosing a microphone cable, above all, depends on the purpose of its use. This can be a full-fledged massive cable, the maximum length of which is measured in meters, and it is needed in order to connect it to work on stage. Or it will be a thin, short length cord for lapel fastening on the lapel of a jacket, which is used by TV presenters in studio conditions.

Next, you need to decide what level of sound quality you need - professional or amateur... If the microphone cable is planned to be used at home to sing karaoke with friends, then there is no point in buying an expensive professional cord - in this case it is quite possible to get by with an inexpensive unbalanced type wire.

In the event that you plan to conduct outdoor events and for large audiences, you will need a semi-professional-grade microphone cable for sound transmission. It must correspond to the parameters of the used sound-amplifying audio equipment in terms of electric current, voltage, and also correspond to the TRS and USB connectors and coincide in their diameters. In addition, on the street it is necessary to use a microphone cable, which will have increased protection against moisture and resistance to accidental mechanical damage.

If you have to work at a professional level, then the microphone cable must meet a high level of standards, which will not be lower than those stated by your audio equipment. The quality of the microphone cord you choose will affect not only the sound quality, but also the uninterrupted operation of the entire system as a whole. Therefore, it makes no sense to save on consumables and cables.

When choosing a microphone cable, experts recommend paying attention to the following important points.

• Microphone cable, consisting of several copper conductors is considered to be of higher quality, in comparison with its single-core analogue, since it has a lower degree of loss of high-frequency sound radio waves. This option is important when using a microphone cable while listening to radio equipment. As for the work of musical performers and their instruments, for them there is no difference between using a stranded or single-core cord. However, it is believed that multicore microphone cables have better shielding function and are protected from electromagnetic interference, since the braiding of such models is denser and of better quality.
• When looking for high quality sound, choose a microphone cable whose cores are made of oxygen-free copper grades. Such a cord is protected from loss of audio signals due to the lower resistance, therefore, this factor is of great importance when working with audio equipment. As for musical performers, such a nuance does not play a significant role for them.
• We recommend that you select microphone cables with connectors that are gold-plated or silver-plated. As practice shows, such plug connections are less corrosive and have less resistance.The most durable connectors are those that are silver-plated or gilded over a nickel alloy. Other metals used to make these connectors are much softer than nickel and tend to wear out quickly with repeated use.

Today, quite a few manufacturers, increasing the competitiveness of their products, produce cords even in inexpensive price ranges, using high-quality oxygen-free copper, and also pay attention to a good shielding layer and a durable outer sheath.

See the following video for how to properly wind the microphone cables.