Line in or XLR

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hotpickupshotpickups Frets: 1813
Did a gig last night and the vocalist plugged in using her mic lead which had a 1/4 inch jack on the end so I put her in the Line In insert of the mixer. The other vocalist used her mic lead which had the XLR jack on it. We noticed that the XLR mic had more volume compared to the 1/4 inch line in. Would this be normal? Before anyone says we had the settings on the PA all the same volumes etc ;)
Link to my trading feedback:  http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/59452/
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Comments

  • SporkySporky Frets: 27573
    TS or TRS jack?
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  • hotpickupshotpickups Frets: 1813
    Sporky said:
    TS or TRS jack?
    Blimey I don't know @Sporky . I just plugged it in. Would that make a difference then?
    Link to my trading feedback:  http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/59452/
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  • John_PJohn_P Frets: 2744
    Yes you will get a massive difference.  

    Use normal xlr cables for all mics.   
    If it has a built in cable then bin it and buy decent a mic.  
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  • hotpickupshotpickups Frets: 1813
    John_P said:
    Yes you will get a massive difference.  

    Use normal xlr cables for all mics.   
    If it has a built in cable then bin it and buy decent a mic.  
    Yes I've told her to do just that. She's got a decent mic just not a suitable cable
    Link to my trading feedback:  http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/59452/
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71956
    What John_P said.

    Keep the XLR to 1/4" lead only for dire emergencies when you have to plug a mic into something otherwise unsuitable, and buy a proper mic lead for normal use.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • SporkySporky Frets: 27573
    Sporky said:
    TS or TRS jack?
    Blimey I don't know @Sporky . I just plugged it in. Would that make a difference then?
    Assuming the mixer has balanced inputs, TRS will be double the level of TS.
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • hotpickupshotpickups Frets: 1813
    Sporky said:
    Sporky said:
    TS or TRS jack?
    Blimey I don't know @Sporky . I just plugged it in. Would that make a difference then?
    Assuming the mixer has balanced inputs, TRS will be double the level of TS.
    The Id say it was TS then :)
    Link to my trading feedback:  http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/59452/
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  • SporkySporky Frets: 27573
    Didn't you look at it?
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • hotpickupshotpickups Frets: 1813
    Sporky said:
    Didn't you look at it?
    In the heat of the moment all I saw was a 1/4 inch jack that I had to quickly insert to start the gig, She arrive late and details like that were a luxury for me to notice :( It worked but noticed the volume levels being different 
    Link to my trading feedback:  http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/59452/
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71956
    It's not just the plug - the 1/4" input, whether TS or TRS, will have the wrong impedance for a mic and probably intentionally lower gain, because it's expecting to see a line-level signal or at least instrument-level.

    So at best it will still be quieter even with a TRS plug, and at worst it will be more prone to noise and/or sound poor as well.

    Just get the right cable :) - there is a reason mics have XLR sockets on them ;).

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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