The 10 Best Cable For Microphone, According to Our Testing

Sarah Davenport
  Apr 1, 2023 2:40 PM

Depending on the length and general quality of its components and construction, microphone cables are priced differently. Of course, longer cables cost more than shorter ones. Try your best to gauge how much cable you'll need in order to stay within your budget, but remember that it's better to have too little cable than too much!

Why Pink Floyd have put together this list of the best cable for microphone at various price points to accommodate a variety of budgets.

Top Picks

The GLS series of high-grade copper conductors provide very low noise performance, which is what you want from an XLR microphone cable. For anybody wishing to purchase several cables without sacrificing quality, this would be a fantastic option since it is a quality cable at a reasonable price. Six 12-foot cables are available for less than $40, and since they are all different colors, you won't have any problem tracking cords, even during lengthy multitrack sessions.

The Amazon Basics line is a fantastic place to start, and their selection of microphone cables will still provide respectable sound quality while remaining in the more affordable price bracket. For the price of one of the more costly cables on our list, you can easily buy a couple of Amazon Basics cables. Although they may not last as long or have "audiophile" sound quality, they can't be criticized for roughly $12 for a 25-foot lead.

When you think of Audio Technica, headphones and microphones are more likely to come to mind than XLR cables. But in addition to producing some of the best microphones, Audio Technica also has a fantastic line of studio-quality cables. The AT8314 XLR microphone cable offers a high-end sound at a fair mid-range price thanks to its dual copper shielding and dual conductive PVC inner shields. These cables have been around for a while and have received a lot of positive feedback, further confirming Audio Technica's reputation for producing outstanding goods at competitive rates.

Another fantastic business that offers top-notch leads without the need for bank financing is LyxPro. Their starting price for a 30-foot lead is roughly $25. What's even better is that they come in a variety of colors, which is fantastic for avoiding confusion during a drum recording session or any situation with numerous microphones where you would need to go back and figure out your patching. The LyxPro series XLR leads have gold-plated contacts, cotton yarn to decrease noise, a 5-year guarantee, and angled connections in case you need to use them with a camcorder.

The Rapco Horizon range of XLR works well in both live and studio settings. They are very flexible without the danger of breaking, thanks easily to their matte coating PVC, so it's no surprise they are often suggested for both the stage and a recording situation. In addition, they provide a truly interesting selection of various connector brand choices to fit any budget, such RapcoHorizon, Amphenol, Neutrik, or Switchcraft.

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Last update on 2023-04-01 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

FAQs

  1. What does XSL stand for?

External Line Return is what XLR stands for. However, it's doubtful that you'll ever hear someone speak to it in this way. Much more people utilize XLR.

  1. What is an XSL cable used for?

A signal from a microphone is often sent through an XLR cable to a mixing desk, preamp, interface, or PA system. An XLR is distinguished by having three-pin connections on each end and may range in length from a few feet to more than 50 feet. Because XLR cables have balanced connectors, they feature three pins.

  1. Does cable affect microphone quality?

The actual cable shouldn't have an impact on sound quality as long as it is well-made and insulated. However, durability may be impacted by construction quality. I like Canare or Mogami cable and Neutrik X or XX connectors.

  1. Do mic cables make a difference?

The main goal of using high-quality mic cables is to avoid interference. Mic-level signals have a very low voltage; they are just a small portion of line-level signals' voltage. This makes external interference from radio waves and electromagnetic fields far more likely to affect mic signals.

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Conclusion

The use of male and female connectors on the same wire distinguishes XLR cables from other types of cables. As non-gendered substitutes for these phrases, "plug" and "socket" are gaining popularity. The plug or male connection has three prongs on one end, which are inserted into a female input that serves as a socket for the prongs.