How can I extend my ATR-55 shotgun mic chord to make it a boom mic?

Question

I bought a ATR-55 shotgun mic off of ebay and it fell apart right when I got it so i had to re-attach some wires. It works okay now but i don't know how to make it longer so it can be held a few feet away. I did some research and I think I need to connect XLR cables but what do I need to connect the 1/8" plug to XLR and into the camera which is a Cannon GL1 with a 1/8" mic jack. Also for some reason when I zoom in with the camera is makes a weird noise, if any one can help me with any of the stuff I'd highly appreciate it. Thanks

Answer 1

Well, it seems as though you pretty much know what you're doing, however, I would not use an mini-to-XLR or XLR-XLR cable to extend a mini-stereo mic to a camera with a mini-stereo jack. All you need is a 1/8" mini-stereo male to female cable. The XLR cable is only for extending XLR mics OR if you want to upgrade a mini-stereo input to allow XLR mics, but that's not the best way to do it either.

  To cut all the confusing c**p, I don't think it would be of any benefit to get an XLR cable anyways. They are more expensive, and it would not give you better audio. The mini to mini cables are much more practical, and cheaper too :)



I have this one for my Rode VideoMic and Sony VX2100:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/39...

but it will work on any mini-stereo mic



The only problem with mini-stereo mics, however, like the ATR-55 is that you can only extend it about 10 feet. After that your audio quality suffers, while XLR mics can go much much further. But I don't think getting an XLR cable for a mini-stereo mic would help either. That would be pretty complicated too...

Well, I hope that helps, (and I hope it wasn't too confusing). So, good luck!!!