wired mic drop out help please

[marvin]

I have had intermittent short audio drop out problems with a wired mic (SM58) connected with XLR cables. It loses the signal silently--no pops or anything. Does that suggest that pin 1,2, or 3 is going open or shorting to ground? What can cause a "silent" loss of signal?

The solder terminations inside the XLR connectors appear to be fine. These are Monoprice cables, which are very flexible though somewhat thick. I like the cables just fine, but the original Monoprice XLR ends seem to be just a tad loose fit when plugged into a snake or stage box, so I suspect that connection point. I am considering replacing the ends with Neutriks, but thought I would tap your expertise before ordering parts.

Thanks,
Marvin

[Sydney]

Re: wired mic drop out help please

...seem to be just a tad loose fit when plugged into a snake or stage box, so I suspect that connection point. ...

Does the problem occur if snake/stage box is bypassed, and run directly into a board?

[marvin]

Re: wired mic drop out help please

Does the problem occur if snake/stage box is bypassed, and run directly into a board?

I have not tried that. I'm still trying to eliminate things one by one. Since it is an installed system (not portable) I don't think it is likely to be between the stage box and the board, but of course I'm aware that anything is possible, including the board itself.

I have tested the XLR cable by flexing the cable while plugged into a cable tester. Occasionally the tester indicates an intermittent connection on pin 2 on one end, but since the solder connections look good inside the connector, I am still thinking it may be the loose fitting plug to jack connection.

Wiggling the connector in the tester jack does not give a consistently repeatable fault indication. I wonder if the sleeve in the pin/sleeve connection is actually too open-- causing a poor contact between the pin and sleeve.

I know that connecting or removing a mic or cable without the channel muted makes a terrible pop, but can opening just one wire in the pin 1,2, or 3 connection cause a signal loss without a pop?

[Brian Steele]

Re: wired mic drop out help please

I have tested the XLR cable by flexing the cable while plugged into a cable tester. Occasionally the tester indicates an intermittent connection on pin 2 on one end, but since the solder connections look good inside the connector, I am still thinking it may be the loose fitting plug to jack connection.

Could be that the lead is broken in the cable itself. I had a mic cable like that - it broke right at the edge of the connector's sleeve. Cutting three inches off the cable and re-soldering it to the connector cured the problem.

[Mike C]

Re: wired mic drop out help please

Cheap cable and even cheaper connectors will turn around and bite you every time.
Learn how to solder, buy bulk Canare L2TS cable, Neutrik connectors and make cables that will last.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: wired mic drop out help please

Could be that the lead is broken in the cable itself.

+1. That's a common occurrence. I used to have a lead singer/harp player whose vocal mic and harp mic cords required trimming back every six months or so, because the constant flexing of the cords near the mics would cause the conductors to break. Simple test, try another cord. If the problem goes away the cord is the source.

[marvin]

Re: wired mic drop out help please

Thanks for all the advise, everyone.

I still suspect a poor mechanical connection between the pins in the plugs and jacks. Flexing the cables during testing while holding the connectors stationary in the tester jacks produces no fault. But moving the connector side to side in the tester jack does produce an intermittent open.

I think I will order some neutriks from PE and hope those will perform reliably.

Thanks again for your comments.

[Sydney]

Re: wired mic drop out help please

It does appear you are narrowing in - troubleshooting an "intermittent" is always a pain.
I remember roadies used to use an entire roll of tape of Roger Daltrey's microphone - because of his "swinging"