Using Audio Adapters | The 5 things you must know

Most of us have made an audio recording and been disappointed because one of our audio adaptors has let us down. Is it good practise to use adapters to connect your audio gear together? Stick around and you'll find out my 5 simple tips when using audio adapters G'day my name is Gary from the channel Simple Audio Tips and it's dedicated to making sound gear easy to understand. The best connections between audio components are cables with matched format connectors- even so, none of us can afford to buy every type of audio lead to suit each application. So is it ok to just buy an audio adaptor to make use of a cable we already have. The short answer is yes, but there are some critical things you need to take into consideration to reduce the chance that your audio recordings be ruined by electrical interference, noise or a total equipment failure. 1. Mechanical stability Simply put, mechanical stability is how well the connection locks into place. If the adaptor easily falls out or is loose, then avoid it. Adapters for XLR plugs should have latching clips a well. Audio cables can pick up all sorts of electrical interference and this is why they need good shielding. They are normally protected from this because they have shielding over the signal wire inside. Cheap adapters are made of plastic and allow the signal wire to be exposed to interference. This applies to cheap audio plugs with plastic jackets as well. So wherever possible use metal jacket adapters and if this is not possible then be sure the adaptor is kept away from any source of interference. 3. Don't stack adaptors Stacking adaptors is one of the surest ways to invite disappointment to your party. If anything, you want to reduce the amount of connections between components. Plugs and sockets contain small metal clips that clamp onto pins to make a connection, and over time these terminals can become weak. They are not as good as a permanent connections like a soldered joint. Use the correct adaptor Remember, just because a plug fits into a hole doesn't make it work. you need to understand what the adaptor is meant to do. There are so many different adaptors that convert stereo to mono, mono to stereo, y adaptors and splitters. All of these have limitations and they can deteriorate the signal. If you find it hard to understand then rely on clear instructions and reputable suppliers to choose the correct adaptor. 5. Store your adaptors in a dry and dust free container. Throwing them in with your tools will shorten their life and reduce their reliability. Adaptors can be a real asset if you purchase quality products and use them with their limitations in mind. I hope these tips have been of some help Check the comments below because there are often some great ideas and discussion from subscribers like yourself If you liked this video please give us a thumbs up and remember you can subscribe to our channel or follow our updates on twitter or instagram. Until our next audio tip, I'll catch you later

Channel: Gary Davies

Views: 20,024

Keywords: microphone cable, plug adaptor, audio adapter cable, audio conversion plug, audio jack adapter plugs, mic lead adapter, Using Audio Adapters Plugs | The 5 things you must know, best adapters, audio jack adapter

Id: qFySbxa0AnM

Length: 4min 2sec (242 seconds)

Published: Thu Oct 01 2015