ghost power and 1/4″ to 1/8″ to 1/4″

[Richard Crowley]

1) Without details (like make/model) of your microphone and “receiver” (did you mean transmitter?) it is almost impossible to respond with any kind of authority.
2) It is VERY UNUSUAL (I’ve never seen it) for any microphone with a 1/4 inch phone plug to need phantom power. Again, please identify specifically what microphone you are talking about.
3) It is VERY UNUSUAL (I’ve never seen it) for a wireless transmitter to have a 1/4 inch phone plug microphone input.
4) Most “belt pack” type transmitters which connect to the microphone with a cable do NOT provide phantom power.
5) If you are trying to extend a 1/4 inch phone connection, why would you not use a 1/4 inch phone cable? Using adapters just adds to complexity and unreliability.
6) It is not clear why you even need an extention if the transmitter is “mobile”?

Sorry, you question makes so little sense I can’t even imagine what you are trying to do here. Please give us all the necessary details and tell us what you are trying to do.

[Leo Fuchigami]

Sorry for the confusion. There is no transmitter. It is a 35 ft 1/8″ male to female cable.

I have this microphone: https://www.amazon.ca/Pyle-Pro-PDMIK1-Professional-Handheld-Microphone/dp/B003GEKXZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345009820&sr=8-1

The location I want to use the mic at has a receiver with a 1/4″ input. The problem is that the mic needs to be used about 15 metres away from the receiver, so I require an extension cable. However, the only extension cable I have is the 1/8″ cable.

Basically, I’m trying to save money. If I can simply buy a 1/4″ to 1/8″ adapter and a 1/8″ to 1/4″ adapter to connect the mic to the receiver using the 1/8″ extension cable, that would be the cheapest option (about $6). However, if that does not work, I’d have to buy a 1/4″ 35 ft cable, which would cost about $25.

I hope that clarifies the points of confusion!

[Leo Fuchigami]

Ah, I see what caused the confusion. By receiver, I meant the receiver/amplifier connected to the speakers, not a wireless receiver/transmitter!

[Brian Reynolds]

OK just think of it this way…. small cables are fragile, larger cables are stronger and EVERY connection increases the likely hood of failure.

Next question is how important is the use of this microphone and how will you feel or look if there is a failure? And is it worth the $$$$ you save.

The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…

[Leo Fuchigami]

It’s not only an issue of durability, it’s also an issue of access. I can buy the adapter tomorrow, but I’d have to order the cables and potentially wait up to 2 weeks. Which means I’ll be hosting two events without a mic in the meantime. I do intend to eventually buy a wireless microphone, so saving money now would also be towards that purchase.

So basically, for now, I still want to know if this particular setup will work or not. Would the mic be able to draw power from the amplifier and be amplified with the double adapter and 1/8″ cable setup?

[Brian Reynolds]

The microphone you have posted a link to DOES NOT need phantom power to operate as it a dynamic microphone.
If you mixer or amplifier has a switch that will deliver phantom power it MUST be turned ‘off’

[Peter Groom]

You cant get XLR ends. Where do you live. I think they even have a branch of maplins on Mars.

Surely the solution and easy buy is to buy mxlr and fxlr and solder up a cable. Its got 2 mins written on it and will last forever.(nearly)

Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Richard Crowley]

To directly answer your question, yes you can use your 1/8 inch extension cable with the appropriate adapters on each end. As others have observed, this microphone requires NO phantom power, so that is not even an issue here.

HOWEVER, this kind of kludge is just ASKING for trouble and is NOT recommended if you want any kind of reliability.

[David Watson]

But if all the cables involved are mono (1/4″ or 1/8″) and the adapters are mono 1/4-1/8, then I don’t see why this solution would be a problem as a temp solution for 2 events? It’s if you have to deal with stereo to mono mixing that you can run into issues.

David H. Watson
dEhiN Entertainment

[Richard Crowley]

“It’s if you have to deal with stereo to mono mixing that you can run into issues.”

Mot really. A mic connection is a mic connection. Mono vs. stereo is a matter of HOW MANY connections, not the fundamental issues of connectivity.