Does anyone know about microphones?

[Maker]

I've just acquired this;

I don't know much about it, and I don't really have a use for it but it's so nice.

Firstly, is it wired correctly? It's a coaxial cable with the core soldered to pin 2 of the connector and the outer conductor attached to both pin 1 and 3.

Assuming it's right, how would I go about testing it?

 

[tommullin]

you could maybe check resistance with a multimeter? I assume its got a coil (like a speaker backwards). you probably wont be able to measure the signal without an amplifier.

 

[MrFluffy]

That looks like a xlr connector, and if your reading the pin names from the connector looks correct.
A quick google finds this showing bonding two pins for a unbalanced mic and connecting the core to 2 :-
http://kc.flexradio.com/Uploads/Images/F3K-XLR(f).png

It should have a resistance between the core and outer pins as Tom says.

 

[WorkshopChris]

1 and 3 together is normal configuration for a unbalanced connection.

 

[RonA]

I've just acquired this;
View attachment 102918

I don't know much about it, and I don't really have a use for it but it's so nice.

Firstly, is it wired correctly? It's a coaxial cable with the core soldered to pin 2 of the connector and the outer conductor attached to both pin 1 and 3.

Assuming it's right, how would I go about testing it?

Looks like a good mic, internet search says it's a broadcast quality shotgun mike. Probably used for interviews etc. Have you got any mates who play guitar? A guitar practice amp usually has an XLR input for voice input. Quickest way to see if it's working.
RonA

 

[WorkshopChris]

As its unbalance you could swap the plug for a 3.5mm jack.
Does it have anywhere for a battery or a switch?
A lot of this type are powered.

 

[Seadog]

There's one being advertised for $1600!

 

[Maker]

Have you got any mates who play guitar? A guitar practice amp usually has an XLR input for voice input. Quickest way to see if it's working.
RonA

I know a few who do, I'll ask them.

As its unbalance you could swap the plug for a 3.5mm jack.
Does it have anywhere for a battery or a switch?
A lot of this type are powered.

I can't see anywhere for a battery.

There's one being advertised for $1600!

I doubt it'll sell though. Maybe I'll keep it, I could start Youtubing.

 

[the snooper]

microphones that take batteries are usually condenser microphones or they use 48 volt phantom power from the mixing desk, it looks to be quite an old mic, there doesn't seem to be any real info about for it, its definitely not a condenser so no power needed, change the plug if you have nothing with an xlr socket

 

[the snooper]

having just looked at your picture of the mic and plug, it has the wrong xlr plug on it, the plug is for outputs ie it will plug into a microphone or it will plug into the outputs of a desk, it should have the plug below which plugs into the inputs of equipment

 

[Shedendman]

Sorry just couldn't resist

 

[Screwdriver]

1 is hot, 2 is cold, 3 is ground. Hot and cold are usually + and - but in a balanced system this is interchangeable except that it will reverse the phase of the signal.

Usually a sensible hack is to connect 2 and 3 together so the -ve signal is now also ground.

Best way to do that especially with a mic is to go through a balancing transformer. A 1:1 transformer which keeps and ground hum out of the signal for as long as possible before you go into a consumer system

 

[WorkshopChris]

1 is hot, 2 is cold, 3 is ground. Hot and cold are usually + and - but in a balanced system this is interchangeable except that it will reverse the phase of the signal.

Usually a sensible hack is to connect 2 and 3 together so the -ve signal is now also ground.

You now have me questioning something i have done hundreds of times building stage snakes.?

 

[the snooper]

1 is hot, 2 is cold, 3 is ground. Hot and cold are usually + and - but in a balanced system this is interchangeable except that it will reverse the phase of the signal.

Usually a sensible hack is to connect 2 and 3 together so the -ve signal is now also ground.

Best way to do that especially with a mic is to go through a balancing transformer. A 1:1 transformer which keeps and ground hum out of the signal for as long as possible before you go into a consumer system

those microphones look like they are for video cameras so will never need or use a balanced signal I would think

 

[the snooper]

You now have me questioning something i have done hundreds of times building stage snakes.?

I think he has it wrong

 

[WorkshopChris]

those microphones look like they are for video cameras so will never need or use a balanced signal I would think

Probably why the xlr is on back to front probably a short pig tail somewhere to either a 3.5mm or a twin xrl L & R.
May be on backward to stop anyone plugging into a phantom powered line.

 

[WorkshopChris]

Yes just looked on a soundcraft manual link 1 and 3

Pin Function
1 Chassis ground (cable shield)
2 Positive polarity terminal for balanced audio circuits (aka "hot")
3 Negative polarity terminal for balanced circuits (aka "cold")

 

[the snooper]

Probably why the xlr is on back to front probably a short pig tail somewhere to either a 3.5mm or a twin xrl L & R.
May be on backward to stop anyone plugging into a phantom powered line.

possibly, it would only make a crackle noise once though if they did

 

[Screwdriver]

I think he has it wrong
View attachment 102978

Haha. Yeah. Been too long. All the right words just in slightly the wrong order!

I should have said: 1 is screen, 2 is hot, 3 is cold.

It's been 20 years since I last wired up a jackfield....

 

[Maker]

having just looked at your picture of the mic and plug, it has the wrong xlr plug on it, the plug is for outputs ie it will plug into a microphone or it will plug into the outputs of a desk, it should have the plug below which plugs into the inputs of equipment
View attachment 102973

I did think it was strange that whatever it plugs into would be male, as if the pins were to get damaged, it would be much easier to replace something on the end of a cable rather than a chassis mount.

I'm sure I've got a 2 pole 3.5 mm jack I could replace the XLR with, does it matter which way round the wires go? I can only seem to find diagrams for 4 pole ones, and several conflicting ones at that.