O cabo XLR ou External Line Return é uma parte muito importante da composição de um microfone ou qualquer outra fonte que ele conecte. Ter os melhores cabos XLR para microfones fará a diferença no seu trabalho e nos resultados que você alcançar.
Eles não são usados apenas para equipamentos de áudio, mas também para sistemas de iluminação de palco profissional e de vídeo. Eles são uma conexão muito comum e são o padrão na indústria de áudio para sinais balanceados. Portanto, a grande maioria dos microfones profissionais usa o conector XLR.
Um pouco de história…
Eles foram fabricados pela primeira vez nos anos 50 e eram frequentemente chamados de plugue Cannon em homenagem ao seu inventor,
James Cannon da Cannon Electric na Califórnia, a Cannon Electric tornou-se parte da
ITT e fabricou seus plugues na Austrália e no Japão. A operação australiana acabou sendo vendida, mas a ITT ainda fabrica seus plugues XLR no Japão.
Os conectores de três pinos são de longe os mais comuns, mas existem várias configurações que chegam a dez pinos.
Eles são melhores que os cabos padrão?
Significativamente. A relação sinal-ruído é muito baixa, o que lhe dará um som melhor. Especialmente se os cabos usados forem bastante longos. E o XLR lhe dará uma conexão balanceada. O conector padrão de um quarto de polegada não é balanceado.
Um bom cabo é vital para a qualidade do som. Não importa quão bom seja o seu equipamento, cabos ruins não lhe darão bons resultados. Para resumir, XLR é o padrão aceito para áudio de alta qualidade, como microfones.
Mas nem todos têm a mesma qualidade…
Existem elementos de design e fabricação que podem ter um efeito significativo no desempenho. Os materiais usados nos condutores e na blindagem e até mesmo nas capas podem causar impacto. Apenas adquirir um cabo XLR não significa que será excelente. Como todas as coisas, existem boas e muito boas.
Nesta análise, consideraremos o XLR apenas para microfones. Então, vamos dar uma olhada no que está disponível atualmente e encontrar os cabos XLR perfeitos para o seu microfone…
Os 6 melhores cabos XLR para microfones em avaliações de 2022
- Cabo de microfone XLR Mogami Gold STAGE-20
- Cabo de microfone Rapco Horizon N1M1-15 Stage Series M1
- Cabo XLR balanceado LyxPro Cabo de microfone de 15 pés
- Cabo de microfone XLR da série Planet Waves Classic
- Cabo de microfone Hosa HMIC-010 Pro
- Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR para Cabo de microfone XLR
1 Cabo de microfone Mogami Gold STAGE-20 XLR
Quando você precisa de cabos XLR, Mogami é um dos nomes em que você pensará primeiro. No Japão, o nome ressoa, e não apenas pela qualidade de seus cabos.
Mogami foi um conselheiro influente dos
Shoguns em um período tumultuado que antecedeu a rebelião Samurai (a real, não o fantasioso
Tom Cruise versão - aliás, o personagem de Cruise era francês, não americano).
Se a empresa recebeu o nome dele, não sabemos. Eles ainda fabricam todas as partes de seus cabos no Japão e, há mais de vinte anos, seus produtos são usados em todo o mundo. Entre na maioria dos estúdios e você os encontrará.
A opção Ouro…
Eles produzem três níveis de cabo e estamos olhando para a opção intermediária, a Gold. A qualidade de cada cabo é excelente e a Mogami orgulhosamente afirma que cada cabo é montado à mão. Estes são vinte pés de comprimento, XLR-Female para XLR-Male com três pinos.
O Gold stage XLR é uma boa escolha se seus cabos sofrerem um pouco de punição, e isso se aplicará particularmente a apresentações ao vivo. Estes são eminentemente adequados para trabalho em estúdio, mas devido ao seu design robusto funcionam bem no palco. Eles são muito flexíveis e resistentes e pode-se dizer quase indestrutíveis. Isso os torna particularmente adequados para artistas de palco com, digamos, uma abordagem mais ativa de seu trabalho.
Eles têm um núcleo que possui um design de 105 fios, três vezes mais do que você encontraria em um cabo padrão. Cabos com um número maior de fios são menos propensos a quebrar. Os terminais dos cabos possuem pontos de contato dourados para evitar corrosão e garantir um bom contato.
Construído para durar…
Durabilidade e confiabilidade é o nome do jogo com esses cabos. Mas não se esqueça da qualidade do som que eles ajudam a produzir, o ruído de manuseio é inexistente. Ao considerar quais são os melhores cabos XLR de alta qualidade para microfones, eles devem ser incluídos. Os cabos da mais alta qualidade a um preço muito realista.
Prós
- Um cabo de qualidade fabricado por um dos principais nomes da produção de cabos.
- Os melhores materiais e o design resistente produziram um cabo excelente.
Contras
- O preço pode afastar algumas pessoas.
2 Cabo de microfone M1 série Rapco Horizon N1M1-15 Stage
Rapco Horizon é uma empresa sediada no Missouri que fornece cabos para uma variedade de empresas de som e áudio. Estes incluem estúdios de gravação e músicos, companhias de teatro itinerantes, empreiteiros de som e uma série de outros usuários. Como fabricante de cabos de microfone XLR, eles se tornaram populares. Não só porque eles são de boa qualidade, mas eles são combinados a um preço muito acessível.
Isso é o que pode ser chamado de cabo de médio porte, em vez de cabo de orçamento. Embora seja um pouco mais barato do que a maioria de seus contemporâneos. Eles são um cabo XLR-Female para um encaixe XLR-Male e têm três pinos.
Neutrik Connectors…
The N1M1-15 has Neutrik nickel connectors. Neutrik is a company from Liechtenstein with a high reputation for their connectors. Founded by an ex-AKG employee, say on more, they are highly regarded. They are therefore an asset to this particular cable.
These connectors use a 24 gauge bare copper conductors and a copper shield and are also fitted with jackets that are high-quality PVC. All design processes are in place to ensure they are noise-free.
Join them up…
The cable itself is just 15 feet long which some may consider to be rather short. It might be fine for the studio but on a stage, with a performer who likes to move around, there could be problems. However, one of the other superb advantages of XLR cables is that if you need a longer one, just join two together!
They might be a little short but the quality of the build is good and there is not much to complain about. They are not going to perform as well as their more expensive counterparts. But for a slightly cheaper option, they are good value for money.
Prós
- Well made with good materials.
- Affordable price for studio or stage work.
Contras
- Some may want a higher quality of cable.
3 LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable 15 ft Microphone Cable
Based in New Jersey, LyxPro is very much a newcomer to the audio game. They have a quite wide-ranging catalog of audio equipment and even produce their own range of guitars. They seem to have a simple philosophy when it comes to their products. Build the highest quality you can, within certain restraints, and make it affordable.
Not many companies can achieve that, let’s have a look at how LyxPro get on.
You certainly won’t find a cheaper option…
This XLR is definitely what you might call a budget range model. It is though built to a good standard and made so that it can serve a variety of uses. This particular cable is 15 feet long. Whilst it will work very well on a stage in a live performance, some might consider it a bit short.
However, the length though is ideal for the recording studio for microphones. It also is suitable for lighting rigs, audio interfaces, and mixers or connecting mixers to speaker systems.
The build at this price point is of high quality…
They are XLR-Female to an XLR-Male fitting and they have the standard three pins. It has twin conducive inner shields that are made from PVC and a braided shield that is made of cotton. Being wrapped in a cotton yarn helps to reduce any incidental noise. It has been designed with the braided shields to make it suitable to work with DMX lighting applications.
Featuring 24-gauge oxygen-free conductors, the tips of the connecting points have a gold-plating to resist corrosion and to ensure there is a good solid connection. The connector plugs are made from black metal and the cable itself is blue. And they are designed to be able to withstand a reasonable amount of strain.
Stands up to the riggers of the road…
As we said these are a budget range of cables but the quality as we have shown is far from budget. They can be used in multiple ways and are tough enough to withstand heavy usage. Whether they are suitable for stage work at 20 feet is down to the individual using it. A good product at a very good price point.
Prós
- Well made using good materials and with strain relief.
- Multiple-use possibilities at an affordable price.
Contras
- The cable might be a bit short for live performances.
4 Planet Waves Classic Series XLR Microphone Cable
D’Addario accessories need little introduction to people in the music industry. They are one of the big brands providing quality equipment all over the world. One of their product lines from Australia is Planet Waves. They produce accessories for the audio world and this XLR cable is one such offering.
This cable from Planet Waves is an XLR-Male to an XLR-Female fitting that performs at a level that belies its modest price point. It can have a variety of uses but it is designed mainly for use with microphones. And is a 25 feet long cable so it is going to be sufficient for stage or studio work.
Rugged and durable…
It is made from good materials and the flexible molded strain-relief collars ensure it is durable and long-lasting
Featuring a low-capacitance design that delivers pure signal transparency and is fitted with nickel-plated brass plugs. Heavy-gauge oxygen-free copper conductors and dense shielding mean there will be virtually no handling noise. There is a layer of conductive PC to protect the signal even further.
Excelente qualidade pelo preço…
It doesn’t take much to realize that Planet waves have put a lot of thought into the design of this Cable. Add to that quality materials and you have a product that is very good in every way. It might be considered an entry-level cable but it is a bit better than what you might expect.
Also, it is not decorated in fancy colors and doesn’t have anything that might make it stand out. It just does its job and quietly gets on with it. The quality of the build and the materials used are just two reasons. The price point and length of this cable are two more, and we think it could be one of the Best XLR Cables For Microphones around.
Certainly, at its price point, it will be hard to find better value.
Prós
- Very high standard of build using quality materials.
- Sturdy and strong and at an affordable price.
Contras
- Nothing we can find given the price.
5 Hosa HMIC-010 Pro Microphone Cable
If you are looking for an XLR mic cable that is not going to break the bank this cable from Hosa might be worth looking at. Hosa was founded in 1984 and is one of those rare companies that are still a family business. They make a variety of products but do produce a wide range of cables.
Needs an extension…
These cables can be joined together to make any length you may require. Hence they tend to make quite short cables and this cable we are looking at is a good example. It is just ten feet in length and therefore is likely to need some sort of extension if it is to be used for a microphone.
Ten feet certainly wouldn’t be acceptable for a stage mic, even if it was stationary and it might struggle in a recording studio as well. Nevertheless, as we said you can join them together easily enough. At this price point, they still make a very attractive option.
Oxygen-free…
This cable is an XLR-Female to an XLR-Male fitting. They have a tough build and feature silver-plated REAN connectors. REAN is made by Neutrik in Lichtenstein who has an exemplary reputation. It has a low signal to noise ratio level which is helped by the 20 AWG copper conductors and shielding which are oxygen-free.
Oxygen-free cables are thought of as sounding better due to a better conductivity rate. This, it is thought, makes them better than standard copper wire. There are some that disagree with that but this is not the place for that argument.
For pros on a budget…
The Hosa HMIC-010 Pro Microphone Cable is built with the audio professional in mind. Not necessarily at the very top end of the market, but those looking for cost-effective cabling. They are popular amongst pros because they are durable, reliable and have low-noise. But they are still at the lower end of the price scale.
A good value cable with a respected performance level.
Prós
- Good material and a good build level.
- Low noise cable that is very affordable.
Contras
- This particular 10-foot cable has limited use potential on its own.
6 Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR to XLR Microphone Cable
This is a pack of two cables that have a length of 25 feet. With their three-pin connectors, they are suitable for use in recording studios for microphones or connecting mixing equipment.
They do actually go a bit further than that in their potential uses. They can also connect up preamps, speakers, patch bays and even stage lighting. In fact, just about anywhere that you need an XLR fitting. They are a male to female cable, and have some very strong metal connectors that are heavy duty and will take a bit of punishment. They also have added strain relief to protect the cable and the plugs.
Go for gold!
It has oxygen-free copper conductors and has a PVC jacket. For good connections that will resist any potential corrosion, they have gold-plated XLR pins. They have been given copper braided shielding, individual wire insulation, and foil shielding to reduce any hum or handling noise to an absolute minimum.
These are good for microphones but the build and materials are such that they can be used in a variety of ways as we have already said. For a studio looking for extra XLR cable either as a backup or for connections, they make an affordable option.
Prós
- They have a decent build quality with good materials.
- A cost-effective option for studios seeking extra or backup XLR cables.
Contras
- Many people will need higher quality.
Choosing The Best XLR Cables For Microphones
In too many situations a poor performing XLR cable can have a seriously detrimental effect on the quality of the sound produced. So many people spend a fortune on high-level equipment and then connect it all up and patch it all together with inferior cables. Sometimes cabling that was just left ‘lying around’.
It doesn’t work. The cables have got to be good or the benefits of the expensive equipment you have invested in will be lost.
So, an XLR for a microphone. Shouldn’t be that difficult. There are cables that are made specifically just for mics. Then there are others that are made to be versatile. However, in making them this way, the attention to detail needed for the microphone standard is lost a bit.
It depends really on what your plans are…
If you are a smaller studio, even a home studio then maybe you would prefer cables that can do other things. Patch, connect up interfaces or mixers. You are possibly going to need quite a few. You will be looking for quality at a decent price. We looked at quite a few that fall into that category. And none of them will let you down.
Microphones, of course, are not just used in the studio. They are a rather key element in a stage performance for a vocalist. For live use, they want and obviously need quality but maybe a different type of quality. They will need to have a decent length of cable, as well as a tough build. The fittings need to be strong and able to take a great deal of strain.
We tried to find out what cables
Roger Daltrey of
The Who and the ‘rodeo swirl’ with the mic used. We couldn’t find out but looking at him the mic is attached with a cable covered in tape. That isn’t coming off no matter what he does. Not everyone needs that level of security but it is important to have some.
High-quality options…
You may, of course, be looking at a front line cable connecting an
expensive mic . In that case, you will need the best you can find that will complement the quality of the microphone. But remember even at the top-level microphones are not just used for singers. In fact far more are used for other things, Drums. Other percussion, guitars, electric and acoustic and bass can all be mic’d up.
Need Something To Plug Into Your New XLR Cable?
Not much point having a high-quality XLR cable without a good microphone to plug into it. So, please check out our reviews of the Best Dynamic Microphones, the Best Kick Drum Mic, the Best Microphones Recording Electric Guitar, the Best Cheap Mic under 50 Dollars, the Best Vocal Mics, or the Best Microphones for Recording Rap Vocals currently available.
You may also enjoy our review of some of the Best Microphone Preamps on the market.
So, What’s The Best XLR Cables For Microphones?
We all need the microphone to do its job which means a good cable. There are plenty around picking the best will depend on what you are going to use it for.
For us, we would pick the…
Mogami Gold STAGE-20 XLR Microphone Cable
A quality cable and an industry standard. Our choice for the Best XLR Microphone Cable currently available.
