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lightweight XLR connector (female)?

R

richard.vanderveen

Does such a thing even exist? Why do I want to know?

The front of the shotgun mic (AT897) on one of our camera's (CANON XF100) is always tilted upwards because of the weight of the XLR on the back.
I tried googling but guess how many hits on exactly the same connectors we use now or lightweight audio equipment with... right. ;D
 
Would an angled XLR work? I had a similiar problem, although a bit different. I ended up removing the shell and placing only shrink tubing over the solder joints. It wasn't pretty but it worked.
 
ChiefOperator said:
Would an angled XLR work?
Click to expand...
Thought of that but an angled one has even more metal, so...
ChiefOperator said:
I ended up removing the shell and placing only shrink tubing over the solder joints. It wasn't pretty but it worked.
Click to expand...
Mmhhhh... I'm sort of hoping there are plastic ones out there :p
 
TomZ said:
These might work:
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Connectors/XLR-Connectors/Switchcraft-Corporation/TA3MX.xhtml
Click to expand...

The TA3 series connectors are not compatible with a standard XLR found on most microphones.

I suspect your problem is the weight of the cable, coupled with low friction on the mic clips pivot point. Usually the mic holder has a screw which can be tightened (carefully) to increase the friction.

When I used to carry around a video camera around, I made a short cable, cut to length with right angle connectors. The right angled XLRs are a little hard to find, but it worked fine.
 
It's definitely not the cable, it really is the weight of the connector itself.
Where is chinese cheap fakestuff when you need it :D :D :D
 
I still think the problem is with your microphone mount, not the weight of the XLR. They only weigh a few ounces to begin with. In the world of decent connectors, the Neutrik seems to be a bit lighter, at least when compared with a Switchcraft. Be very careful of the Chinese versions. Some of them have trouble making a good connection with standard XLR's.

Not long ago I purchased some mics from a well known mail order music company. The offer was each mic came with a "free" cable, so I thought, "Why not?" It turned out the cables were Chinese, and sucked big time. They should have paid me to take them. They didn't even make good contact with themselves much less anything else. This caused a series of intermittent problems that were all too noticeable, especially when phantom power was in use. The cure was removing all the connectors and replacing each and every one of them with Nuetriks. Problem solved, but it was false economy to get the "free" cables." It's just my opinion, but if the XLR doesn't say "Switchcraft, "Neutrik," or "Cannon" on it, you are asking for trouble.
 
The problem is that China is a big place. Some Chinese manufacturers do a good job and quite a few don't. It's a minefield. In order to assure quality, your source needs to have actually visited China and vetted the manufacturer. If that's been done, your source will be reliable. If it's just someone that signed up to buy a bunch of stuff, sight unseen, then anything can happen. So, it's as much about the importer as it is about the source. In the case of the XLR connectors at BG Micro, they are from a company called Velleman which is big in the hobby/kit electronics market. While I am always more on the lookout for defects in a knock-off, I'm not afraid of trying them if they come through a trusted source.
 
It's true that not all Chinese stuff is crap. Some is suprisingly good. That's not going to solve the original poster's problem that his shotgun mic points in the wrong direction. The difference in weight between various XLR connectors is probably less than one ounce, regardless of country of origin. The cable weighs much more than the connector.

I still think the problem is with the mounting method on the camera, not the connector.
 
How about a counterweight on the front half of the mike?

(I don't think you will find an XLR that is substantially lighter than the rest, unless it's plastic. Then, you'll likely have interference worries.)
 
Hmmm... Are you using a shock mount that suspends the mic with rubber bands? If so, those are a poor choice for a camcorder application. A standard mic clip works a lot better. You really won't have a lot of problems with mechanical vibrations, and the mic will point where it is supposed too. I've had luck with:

http://www.markertek.com/Audio-Equi...nd-Tech-Olsen-Audio-Group/CM-21.xhtml?WTCM-21

Everything is a compromise, and this is one that is worth doing. If you must have one, there are shock mounts available that will hold your mic. I suggest looking at Markertek to see what they have.
 
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