Is this a bad microphone cable?

[Ross]

So I am having a little trouble with my microphone cutting out, but only part way (link below). Another mic recording guitar at the same time through the same mixer and interface and also utilizing the phantom power is not experienceing the same problem.

www.rossdurandmusic.com/weird_mic_thing.mp3

I think it's the cable, any other suggestions?

[Billy's Little Trip]

Sure sounds like a cable, or more exact, the 1/4" plug or XLR grounding issue. <captain obvious alert> Try another cable?

Funny hearing that, because it's a perfect audio example of how my studio cans sound right now. I have to constantly wiggle the wire by my left ear to get it clear. Annoying as hell. I can't see an easy way to open them to re-solder the wires. They're $250 phones and only a bit over a year old, so I'm going to fix them.

[jast]

I've got this problem with both of my microphone cables. It's a bit different here, though, because it changes between no sound at all and full sound. Next time I order something I guess I'll have to include new mic cables. Not the dirt cheap variant this time, perhaps.

Anyway, try another cable, it could just as well be a problem in the microphone.

[Ross]

Anyway, try another cable, it could just as well be a problem in the microphone.

Yeah, it's just that it also goes long stretches working fine - so it's hard to tell. No harm in upgrading cables, though. Hopefully it will fix it - and be cheaper than upgrading microphones.

[jast]

Here's another diagnosing idea: it's more likely than not that if fiddling with the cable doesn't influence the sound, it's a microphone problem.

[jb]

Anyway, try another cable, it could just as well be a problem in the microphone.

Yeah, it's just that it also goes long stretches working fine - so it's hard to tell. No harm in upgrading cables, though. Hopefully it will fix it - and be cheaper than upgrading microphones.

Can't you diagnose further by switching cables with the mic that's working fine?

[ken]

Also, depending on the cable, it can be very easy to unscrew the connector to see the wires and see if they are intact or not.

[jast]

Unless the cable is (partially) broken somewhere in the middle. I think that's what happened to at least one of mine.

[Ross]

Anyway, try another cable, it could just as well be a problem in the microphone.

Yeah, it's just that it also goes long stretches working fine - so it's hard to tell. No harm in upgrading cables, though. Hopefully it will fix it - and be cheaper than upgrading microphones.

Can't you diagnose further by switching cables with the mic that's working fine?

Indeed - I wish the problem was occurring regularly enough for that to be a simple process instead of a waiting game. I just figured perhaps someone out here would recognize the problem right off.