Using AES Cables as Mic Cables?

[BigJunk]

Can you use an AES cable as a mic cable? I saw a guy doing this with long Mogami digital cables. He was using them on his mics, said it was a very pristine cable that works great for mics. Whats the difference between AES and XLR mic cable?

[NathanEldred]

I use Canare 206 AES 110ohm for anything critical...to my ears it sounds faster and more extended both ways. Probably something to do with lower capacitance, and it's ability to carry data in the Megahertz, not just kilohertz (just a guess).

[Adebar]

A lot of bigger studios and also broadcast houses do only use AES cable for both, digital and analog signals. Logistics is easier and Nathan stated before, often they seem at least (!) as good as microphone cables because of their ability not to damp the real high frequencies.

[Chris Parsons]

to my ears it sounds faster

care to elaborate?

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Chris Parsons

care to elaborate?

It sounds like the transient is more natural, (regardless of whether it's used in a line level or mic level signal) where regular cable seems to dampen things down...that's about the best I can do, I'm not a scientist, I just know what I hear.

[squeegybug]

I did a bunch of blind shootouts on 20+ mic cables over a period of time, including a few AES and quad cables. Some were decent, some not.

I ranked the top four off-the-shelf cables in this order:

1. Gotham GAC-2AES 110 ohm AES
2. Gotham GAC-3
3. Mogami W3080 110 ohm AES
4. Canare L-2T2S

I did not try the Canare AES.

Best overall was easily the Belden 89207 teflon cable. Cheap and tough and only available in bulk, not your regular flexible mic cable at all. But the sound is worth it to me.

Nathan, have you compared the 206 to any of those listed above?

Steve

[warhead]

I've used some Mogami AES cable for analog line level stuff and it did seem more extended and detailed on top.

Check out this thread

War

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

I use Canare 206 AES 110ohm for anything critical...to my ears it sounds faster and more extended both ways. Probably something to do with lower capacitance, and it's ability to carry data in the Megahertz, not just kilohertz (just a guess).

A tip Nathan gave me way back when, and it has really proved out. I have AES 110ohm in just about all services now, except some reverb outs. The way to go........................and life is also much simpler.