Neutrik techTALK - Episode 03

On this episode of Neutrik techTALK we answer the question; how can I use an XLR or 1/4" stereo plug in the front of my Neutrik Combo, using one cable from the back of my Neutrik Combo Connector to the input of my mixer, console, or other input device? An explanation of solder jumpers is provided with a sample pinout to enable the use of either connector type on the Combo. This is the 3rd of 10 programs in a series featuring the "Top 10 tech support questions received by Neutrik."

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• neutrik
• combo
• connector
• xlr
• tech
• mixer
• sound
• installation
• techTALK
• episode

[gamhazell]

Hello Thanks for the video. It helped me and my sound team at church make our own stage box for the snake used for the instruments. Works great...we're getting sound. But we are getting hum when we plug our instrument cables and i am getting a spark by the bass jack. And a shock when I touch the strings. After the the cable is plugged in it stops shocking me. Any Ideas?

[neutriktv]

@gamhazell Glad to hear the video helped make using the Neutrik Combo a little easier. Regarding your hum and shock, is it possible that you have phantom power running through the combo? It's important to note that when you tie together the XLR and 1/4" contacts of the Combo to the input of your mixer, if phantom power is on it will send the voltage to your 1/4" jack and anything plugged into it. Consider turning off phantom power when using an instrument instead of a microphone. Thanks.

[gamhazell]

@neutriktv Thank you Sir. I do have phantom power running because my piano mic is a condenser boundary mic and it needs phantom to work. There is only one phantom switch for the whole mixer. If I turn it off i assume that the hum and the shock will disappear but the piano mic will not give any sound. Any other Ideas?

[neutriktv]

@gamhazell If your console/mixer does not provide selectable phantom power outputs on a per channel/group basis or if it doesn't offer both unbalanced and balanced inputs per channel, then you have 2 choices; if the only phantom powered device is the piano mic, than use a mic preamp w/phantom power on the mic side and turn phantom power off at the console; if more devices need phantom power than don't, it would be best to put such devices (i.e. bass guitar) on an unbalanced input of the mixer.

[jeffmoss26]

where are the first 2 episodes?

[neutriktv]

Thanks for your interest in Neutrik techTALK! We had to provide additional editing to our episodes 1 and 2 of Neutrik techTALK, but rest assured you will see more episodes of Neutrik techTALK in the coming months.

[neutriktv]

1. The wiring configuration used in this video will work with phantom power, however as you indicated this will also pass phantom power to 1/4" plug as well.

2. Connecting an unbalanced guitar (instrument) to the Combo connector, will depend more on your console or mixer and what inputs of the mixer/console you connect to the combo.

Ultimately, the Neutrik Combo connector is simply two connectors in one connector body. It was designed to provide space savings on OEM equipment (amp, mixr, etc.)

[ticun936]

Thanks for this video. It starts to answer my questions regarding the Neutrik Combo. Some questions I still need answers to are:

1. Will this wiring setup work with phantom power? If yes, will phantom power be supplied strictly when an XLR cable is plugged in or will it feed phantom power to 1/4" balanced plugs also?

2. How will this wiring work if a 1/4" unbalanced cable is used (connecting a guitar)

I would also like to view the first two episodes, but I can't find them either.