Cable to use on PA system.

anyone here using the Zoom H1? recently made a purchased on this digital audio recorder and have been testing it out. my main reason for using this is to record the bride/groom saying their vows. i'm not a video guy, but wanted to add some voice of them into their still images slideshow. currently using a wired lav into the Zoom H1 inside the groom pocket. I would like to plug it into the PA system during the ceremony. I wanted to know which cable do I need to have if I want to go this route. the Zoom H1 input is a 3.5mm. shuold I be looking for XLR to 3.5mm cable?

TIA.

johnlo

you need the output, not an input. If it's a stereo recorder, then you need a 3.5mm to 2 1/4" as a stereo split, usually.

Chippy569 wrote in post #13018186
you need the output, not an input. If it's a stereo recorder, then you need a 3.5mm to 2 1/4" as a stereo split, usually.

yes its stereo recorder. so something like this?!

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Stereo_Mini_Ma​le_to.html


wat about this one??

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Stereo_Mini_Ma​le_to.html

the first one you posted is the one you need.

Chippy569 wrote in post #13018769
the first one you posted is the one you need.

thanks.

Chippy569 wrote in post #13018769
the first one you posted is the one you need.

Perhaps. Churches are always strapped for cash and, as a result tend to have an exceptional array of PA systems from the very basic to the very advanced, spanning decades of technology.

You really need to have a look first to establish there is an available line level output from what ever system they are using.

If they have a full mixer desk you are best to ask who ever does their sound to sort you a line out as there could be umpteen different options subject to the complexity of the desk. If you try to pick up from the wrong bus and start twiddling things, to make it happen, you could quickly become very unpopular. Just because the plug fits in the hole doesn't mean it is the right hole to use. They may even have their own recording facilities and just give you a file on disc.

John Sims wrote in post #13019319
Perhaps. Churches are always strapped for cash and, as a result tend to have an exceptional array of PA systems from the very basic to the very advanced, spanning decades of technology.

You really need to have a look first to establish there is an available line level output from what ever system they are using.

If they have a full mixer desk you are best to ask who ever does their sound to sort you a line out as there could be umpteen different options subject to the complexity of the desk. If you try to pick up from the wrong bus and start twiddling things, to make it happen, you could quickly become very unpopular. Just because the plug fits in the hole doesn't mean it is the right hole to use. They may even have their own recording facilities and just give you a file on disc.

thanks for the tip. using the lav on the groom is my #1 sourse for the audio. using the PA will be just an opinion, that's why i wanted to know which cable is needed. adding audio and some video clips is bonus for my clients. its not even in the contract. if it doesnt comes out good. it doesnt get use at all.

even the cheapest PA mixer is going to have a stereo 1/4" input. You'd be hard pressed to find a mixer that doesn't.

I am a tech director at a church and have worked sound at a number of churches. I don't think there is a single answer to your question. I think you need:
- a 3.5mm stereo plug to two RCA plug cable plus:
- two RCA jacks to 1/4" adapters
- two RCA jacks to XLR female adapters

- a 3.5mm stereo plug to 1/4" stereo cable.

These used in combination should let you connect to just about anything.

The outputs from a mixer can be:
- RCA which will often be labeled "2 Track Output"
- 1/4" jack which could be an Aux, a Group or a split off the main outputs
- male XLR jacks which could come from an Aux, a Group or a split.

The final, can't figure out anything else option would be to use the 3.5mm to 1/4" stereo cable to a headphone jack from the mixer or some other device like a CD recorder. This is a little risky as the headphone out is a pretty hot signal and can easily overload the line input of your recorder.

If you talk to the sound guy and ask for an output most will be able to get you one.

Be careful of your level. It needs to never clip (go to the top or far right of the meters) peaks should be in the -6db range.

Chippy569 wrote in post #13021770
even the cheapest PA mixer is going to have a stereo 1/4" input. You'd be hard pressed to find a mixer that doesn't.

You might be better of using and output though

Agreed that there may well be a headphone or control room out but, and many mixers have RCA recording outs as well, but using either of these (assuming they are available and not being used already) isn't necessarily just a case of sticking the plug in the hole.

And then it might not be a mixer at all it could be a mixer amp, or it could be powered mixer which could give you a really hot signal if you got the wrong output. Or it might be a full rack of gear which could give you a dozen different output options. Do you want the pre mix of post mix signal etc.

My home mixer is only a baby http://www.youtube.com …feature=player_​detailpage and while that could provide several options on a recording signal (if you include the Aux of FX busses or channel I/O's (very tricky)) aside the USB you would really only want to use the recording out for recording (Funny that).

Bob is spot on on his choice of cables/connectors IMHO and I think we all agree that the best option is to ask first.

If it was something I was doing regularly I think, for ease of integration, I would get a little http://www.behringer.c​om/EN/Products/HA400.a​spx that way you can share the head phone or Control Room out and allow everyone to set their levels as desired - you would still need a bag full of cables and connectors though, just in case. And the headphone out isn't going to work if there is a sound man who solo's out channels for checking.

In summary, it could be tricky.

thanks for the info. really appreciated!!!

bpalermini wrote in post #13022411
If you talk to the sound guy and ask for an output most will be able to get you one.

i think i might just do that instead if i cant Lav the groom.

John Sims wrote in post #13023220
you would still need a bag full of cables and connectors

No way! Got enough bags of camera equipments to deal with.

Thx.
john