Miscelaneous Audio Stuff

[gafftaper]

Hey, I'm working on equipping a brand new college black box theater. I've got the main audio system under control as well as a full mic package. Now I'm trying to put together my shopping list for all the random stuff you have stored in that cabinet in the back of the booth. Most of the time the theater will be used for live theater, but there will be some guest lectures, Dance performances, there is the possibility of a small live band being used with a show, and who knows what else. So eventually I'm going to be facing a situation where someone needs to patch something weird into my system 20 minutes before show time and I want to have a collection of adapters and cable ready to go so that it's no problem. Here's what I've got so far for my shopping list. Please comment on what you would add or remove. Thanks!

2- Direct boxes
2- 15' Stereo 1/4" male to 1/4" Male cables
2- 15' mono 1/4" male to 1/4" male cables
2- dual line, 1/4" mono male to RCA Male cables
3- dual line RCA to RCA cables
1- 15' 1/4" male to 1/4" female cable
1- 3.5mm stereo male to 2 1/4" mono male cable
1- Stereo 1/4" male to two mono 1/4" male cable
1- 1/4" stereo to two RCA cable
1- 20' midi cables
1- 2 RCA to female stereo 3/5mm cable
2- Speakon to 1/4" female adapter
2- 1/4" male mono to RCA female adapter
2- Male RCA to 1/4" female mono adapter
2- 1/4" female mono to 1/4" female mono adapter
1- XLR male to XLR male adapter
1- XLR female to XLR female adapter
1- 1/4" stereo male to mini stereo female adapter
1- mini stereo male to 1/4" stereo female adapter
1- 1/4" male stereo to two mini female stereo adapter
1- female midi to female midi adapter
1- male stereo mini plug to two RCA female adapter
2- dual RCA female to RCA female adapter

Also I'm looking for a set of headphones. What's your favorite?

[Foxinabox10]

Although I have never used them, I've hear the Stanton DJ Pro 300 are pretty good headphones and because they are only one ear-ed, it makes it easier to balance listening to the full mix from the house and trying to tweak a particular mic at the same time.

http://www.stantondj.com/v2/prod_djpro300.asp

[mbenonis]

Also add to your list:

4 - RCA-F to XLR-M adaptor
4 - TRS-F to XLR-M adaptor
4 - RCA-F to XLR-F adaptor
4 - TRS-F to XLR-F adaptor

Get at least two XLR gender benders (you only spec'd one)

In general, if you think you need x adaptors or cables, you really need 2x, and if you spec'd only one, you might need 3 or even 4x. Believe me, they'll walk, or you'll need a pair, or one will break. Buy them now while you have the money!

[Bob]

Whirlwind PC-DI boxes come in handy for all those business meetings with laptops, I-pods, and mp3 players, oh my...

don't forget things like:
RJ-11 phone cables and couplers
RJ-11 to xlr adapters, so you can route that phone line around the building or around the stage thru audio lines. And be sure to have your digital camera ready when your IT professional realizes what your doing....

RJ-45 ethernet cables and couplers
Video patch cables and couplers
Speakon to Speakon couplers

Headphones I would go for Sennheiser HD280 or Sony MDR-7506. Both are about the same price thru discount retailers. The Senn's provide better isolation in noisy enviroments and are indestructible, the Sony's are lighter in weight and fold up smaller, if traveling around. Sound wise the Sony's have a bit more high end in them, the Senn's sound a bit more natural.

-Bob

[SHARYNF]

Originally Posted by mbenonis

Also add to your list:
4 - RCA-F to XLR-M adaptor
4 - TRS-F to XLR-M adaptor
4 - RCA-F to XLR-F adaptor
4 - TRS-F to XLR-F adaptor
Get at least two XLR gender benders (you only spec'd one)
In general, if you think you need x adaptors or cables, you really need 2x, and if you spec'd only one, you might need 3 or even 4x. Believe me, they'll walk, or you'll need a pair, or one will break. Buy them now while you have the money!

If you want to save your self endless grief trying to find out where the hum is coming from DON'T use these type of converter cables( rca to xlr) for balanced/unbalanced conversion but get a transformer based solution.

Sharyn

[SHARYNF]

re headphones the Sennheiser HD 250 Linear II are excellent, but expensive *about 180 dollars or so
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Apr0...eiserhd250.asp
Sharyn

[Eboy87]

I use Sennheiser HD-280.
Cheap at amazon
And I'd have to agree that using one of the PC-DI's is far better and worth the money over RCA - XLR cables.

[mbenonis]

Originally Posted by SHARYNF

If you want to save your self endless grief trying to find out where the hum is coming from DON'T use these type of converter cables( rca to xlr) for balanced/unbalanced conversion but get a transformer based solution.
Sharyn

I agree that the RCA to XLR adaptors are not the best solution, but they do work in a pinch. My feeling is that it's better to have them and never have to use them, then to not have them and suddenly need a slew of RCA to XLR conversions (and not enough pcDI's).

FWIW, I've never had a problem with these adaptors and hum, but then again that's strictly a factor of the system installation and equipment in the system, and is no guarantee that they'll work for anyone else.

[SHARYNF]

The problem with the rca/xrl's typically is that you are using them in a pinch, with a "foreign" bit if equipment, and you run the risk of having a problem. Balanced to unbalanced converter boxes these days are cheap, and offer a much better level of "insurance". In my experience you are far better never plugging in any unbalanced device into your system, http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=245-868

Sharyn

[gafftaper]

Thanks everyone this is all great help. If you've got any other ideas please keep them coming. Although I've run my share of sound, I would call myself a lamp head or a carp before a noise boy. I set aside $500 in my budget for this stuff... looks like I'm going to blow through that real easy. I've got a nice 6 drawer chest that was on a shop rolling tool cabinet to keep all the small stuff in. Which should be really nice for keeping all the adapters organized.