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
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Until our next audio tip, I'll catch you later