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Zach Meissner · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 11:42 am Post subject: 'Long' run XLR vs USB

I'm contemplating a move across my basement from where my current set up is. Right now I have a short run from my mic to my preamp, 5' xlr, then to interface/computer. It's all together right now. I'm debating moving the computer across the room, but that would mean a roughly 30' cable run (it's a rectangle of a room).

Would I be better off getting a 30' XLR cable - mic to preamp cable run that would sit next to computer; or a 30' usb cable and having my preamp and interface close to the mic and have the cable run be usb instead of xlr. I'd use a quad mic cable for xlr if i went that route.

Either way it would be a distance, just curious which would be better in the long run with less interference/issues.
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heyguido · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 12:03 pm Post subject:

I'd vote for the mic cable over the Usb. With a good quality shielded cable, and a little care about where your run it, you should be ok.

Usb doesn't tolerate long runs nearly as well....

Alternately, why not consider an isolation box for your computer? You can buy one ready-made, or build one on the cheap. Much more functional to keep everything close at hand, if you can.
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todd ellis · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 12:15 pm Post subject:

i have everything with a fan in another (adjacent) room. i'm using 30' usb extension cables without incident.

the key is to not run power parallel/on top of data.
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Zach Meissner · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 12:59 pm Post subject:

I've considered such a box like that Don, still not entirely out of the picture. I'm trying to move for a better overall set up of the basement, plus VO purposes.

Doh, well there goes the power/data issue. I have a scarlett 2i2, which is usb powered, no ac input. Lovely Smile

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Bob Stevens · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:37 pm Post subject:

Hey Zach,

The spec for maximum cable length for USB 2.0 is 5 meters. (15 feet). I have run longer for printers etc.with good cable but never have for hard drives and critical data stuff.

Mic to pre.... the shorter the better. Good cable 30' isn't bad at all.

If you are using your DBX better to run a short cable to the DBX and line level to the 2i2. If my memory serves me line level cable is about 1000' run max.

Bob
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vkuehn · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject:

We can tell you what the text book says, and then us grizzly old veterans can tell you that sometimes you can do things that violate the text book.

The specs for USB say up to 5 meters or 15 feet. There are some extension cables that have some kind of amplifier built in that allow you to cascade 3 or 4 of these cables. What I do not know is: Can you get USB 2.0 on those devices. There are times I want to use my keyboard and mouse in another part of the house. I have an "extender" that lets me do that using a 100 foot ethernet cable. But it is limited to USB 1.0. My camera refuses to transfer pictures to the computer if it can't use USB 2.0. So the question we are dealing with is: What distance will analog audio to digital devices work on USB. I haven't tried that yet, but just for fun, I will soon.

We know that microphone circuits are routinely run 100 and 200 feet in houses of worship, concert venues and other places. Running XLR mic cable across your basement should be a piece of cake.

(I also run VGA cable for my monitor that is 100 feet long when I operate from down stairs. That does not require any boosters or other special devices.)

todd ellis · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:58 pm Post subject:

i should qualify my statement -

my keyboard and a couple of other peripherals run off the long usb run. everything else is in the other room. 30' mic cables connect mic(s) & monitors. i'm using canare cables and am happy.
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Frank F · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 2:46 pm Post subject:

XLR cable is your best bet if you really want to do this.

The very best thing is a shorter cable into an isolation box - or place the computer outside of the recording room. Cutting a hole behind an unused light switch or electrical box is simple and cheap. Put a cover over the hole(s) and insulate very well with spray foam. Kiss

(Keep It Simple Silly).

USB amplifiers CAN work, but remember they also amplify noise or other artifacts, and there is usually a signal degradation.

Frank F
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Zach Meissner · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the great insight everyone!

Bob, I hadn't thought about that line level run, great point about TRS cable.

And yes, while it had occurred to me that concerts require massively large snake cable runs, being a lowly basement dweller i didn't think i had the magic they do to make that happen Wink

The iso box idea is growing on me, and because i built the blasted computer myself a couple of years ago, I didn't bother to make it quiet enough for VO purposes, oops. But that'll buff out with time in the 'ol DIY shop.
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 5:26 pm Post subject:

+1 isobox or keep preamp at mic end, line level run to 2i2, you'll have no noise issues this way. Big touring shows often have the preamps at the stage end in "monitor world" and push the signal down the long snake run to FOH (house sound). These days, though, it's all digital, and the "snake" is a couple of CAT5 cables.
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