Installs running new wire

itie

Active Member
hello guys,

at my school we have a huge drama room but its down the hall from the theatre and the theatre doesnt not offer any space for changing or so on. my goal last year was to use it as a green room so the actors have some where to go and can get out of the way!!!! i installed a wireless security camera so now they have a live video feed with audio. this helped so much but what i would really like is to run a xlr cable to the room for a clearcom headset (w only have wired if there is a cheap way to go wireless please inform). now mind you im not so big into audio i do mostly lights but some mixing. the distance is roughly 100ft no more then 200ft. wuld it be better to buy a xlr cable that is 100ft or i saw 16awg cable for around $60 500ft. ive never made my own connectors before is it hard and is this the right cable. this is a link to the cable.

here

any info would be great and thanks in advance you guys rule.
giovanni
 
I'm not too big into sound either, but I'll give it a try. The link you posted is speaker cable, not XLR. The XLR has three conductors and is a balanced signal so it can travel long distances, while speaker cable only has two conductors and is unbalanced and should not go any further than absolutely necessary. For about 100ft, the XLR will be the best choice, but don't go with the speaker cable - you won't get anything usable out of it at that distance.
 
The cable you posted will not work.

Will the cable be installed permanently?

If so, you want Belden 8451. Look at Full Compass for good prices.

Use Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX connectors. If you've never soldered one before, there are some good tutorials on youtube.

If the cable will be portable, get a couple of these:

SLMN

and string them together as needed.
 
ok thank you guys.

now would 3 conductor 16 awg cable be good for permanent use? and do you guys know of a place can buy it. i live georgia so we have a radio shack and thats bout it. or if you guys know of a good web site that has it kinda cheep. Lastly i was reeding some threads and they say to solder on your connector. is this hard?

thanks million
giovanni
 
ok thank you guys.

now would 3 conductor 16 awg cable be good for permanent use? and do you guys know of a place can buy it. i live georgia so we have a radio shack and thats bout it. or if you guys know of a good web site that has it kinda cheep. Lastly i was reeding some threads and they say to solder on your connector. is this hard?

thanks million
giovanni

You don't need 16awg. Belden 8451 is 22 awg and is the standard in installation microphone cable and will save you some money.

Belden 8451 BY FOOT BLACK Paired - Audio, Control, and Instrument Cable, 22 AWG, By the Foot (Black) | Full Compass is what you need. If you call them, you can usually get a better price.

Neutrik NC3FX 3-pin XLR Female Cable Connector | Full Compass is the female XLR connector you will need.

Neutrik NC3MX XLR 3-pin Male Cable Connector | Full Compass is the male XLR connector connector you will need.

Here's a video that helped me:
 
If you are installing a cable and have the money, why not install more than one, I am sure there may be a use at some point for an extra set of conductors i.e. ROH calls from stage management. Save you having to poke round false ceilings etc more than once.
 
Itie:
Running a couple of cables to the green room sounds like a very good idea.

BEFORE you start opening ceilings and pulling cable, get your director to talk to school administration.

In a large school district, there may be electricians available to do the installation. They are accustomed to working above the ceiling grid, and know the significance of each pipe and wire they see.

If you just get a go-ahead from administration, then that's OK too. Make sure that the custodial staff knows what you are up to.

Either one is better than trying to explain what made you think you could modify the building without permission.

MJ
Large School District Facilities Supervisor
 
i have the ok form my director and he contacted the school they told him they dont know much about audio but if we get the cable they will run for us. i was planning something down the line to run more stage ports. would i repeat the process of getting the cable and running each line or do they make like a four channel line that can be ran 200ft. thanks for all the help.

thank you
giovanni
 
Audio cables are usually run one cable per channel. The shielding around the pair of wires protects against interference from nearby cables and other sources (look up BALANCED vs UNBALANCED). The layer of insulation (jacket) around the assembly protects the shield.
Electricians often pull more than one cable at the same time.

The slick way to do this would be to install some conduit (pipe made to carry wire or cable) and have some pull lines (tough cords) left in the conduit.
This way, if you decide to add a cable later, you use one of the pull lines to install the new cable.

This is probably clear as mud. Once you see it done, it will be obvious.
MJ
 
You should have the school electrican run the cable. You will run into issues such as penetrating fire rated walls, possibly running the cable through plenum space, etc. This, while low voltage, due to installation issues needs to be done by a qualified individual.
 
You can get installation grade multi conductor audio cable with each pair individually shielded. This way you only need to pull one cable and that cable can provide 1, 2, 4, 8, etc., separate audio lines.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
 
I don't think the ConvertCons are worth the extra $$$ for your application.

I'd probably go for a wall plate and a panel mount connector for a permanent install, looks nicer and a bit harder to damage...

Comms IS unbalanced, but you need to have 2 core shielded because you have power on one wire and the audio on the other...

Search and ye shall find there is no proper cheap wireless comms solution, lots of hacks, but nothing that matches the right tool for the job...
 

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