RODE VXLR+ XLR To 3.5mm Audio Adapter & Phantom To Plugin Power Converter Explanation & Review

[@DavidHarry]

RODE VXLR+ at Amazon: geni.us/RodeVXLRplus RODE VideoMicro at Amazon: geni.us/RodeVideomicro RODE Lavalier GO at Amazon: geni.us/RodeLavalierGO RODE Microphones at Amazon-com: geni.us/RodeMicrophones RODE Microphones at Amazon-co.uk: geni.us/RodeMicrophonesUK RODE VXLR+ XLR To 3.5mm Audio Adapter And Phantom Power To Electrect Plugin Power Down Converter. In this video I give a basic explanation of what the RODE VXLR+ is , how it works, what you'd use it for and when you'd use it. So, in a nut shell. The basic primary function of the VXLR+ is as a XLR to 3.5mm unbalanced audio connector, or audio line converter. It's second and unique function is that unlike similar passive audio connectors, the RODE VXLR+ is also a DC to DC power/voltage converter which converts 48V phantom power, typically supplied by a mixing console, 48 volt phantom power supply or microphone pre-amp via a XLR cable to a 5 Volt voltage that is usually needed for an electret condenser microphone, which usually needs only a voltage of between about 2.5v to about 6 to 9 volts. An electret condenser microphone, or ECM, is typical of a video microphone such as a RODE VideoMicro or lavalier microphone such as a RODE Lavalier GO or bare ECM capsule. An ECM mic typically requires a voltage of about 5 volts, which is usually known as plugin power or traditionally as electret power. Electret power is very similar to phantom power in that it is supplied down the same cable that is used to carry the audio signal back from the microphone to the source of the cable. Also, phantom power is usually supplied via a balanced XLR cable and electret power, or plugin power, is usually supplied via an unbalanced cable and usually via a 3.5mm jack socket connector. Cheers, Dave. If you liked this video please give it a thumbs up. Click the link below to subscribe to my KZbin channel: www.KZbin.com/DavidHarry?sub_confirmation=1 Click the bell notification icon so you don’t miss any of my videos. If you’d like to buy me a cup of coffee to help me edit through the night here’s my PayPal link, all donations toward my coffee habit are greatly appreciated :) www.paypal.me/DavidHarry FULL TRANSPARENCY ABOUT MY AMAZON LINKS I am an Amazon affiliate and part of the Amazon Influencer Program, which means that if you click on any of my Amazon links and make any purchase from Amazon after getting there via my links, I receive a small commission from Amazon for anything you buy. You do not pay any extra for me to receive my commission, the commision comes from the advertised price you pay and isn’t added on top of it. These commissions really do help toward the costs of my KZbin channel and mostly go toward buying a lot of the equipment that I review and use on my channel. I am very grateful to anyone who uses my links as it really does help me in what I do. Here are my Amazon Shop links: www.amazon.com/shop/davidharry www.amazon.co.uk/shop/davidharry FULL TRANSPARENCY ABOUT FREE EQUIPMENT I RECEIVE FOR REVIEW If I ever review any products that I’ve been given for free or been given free in exchange for a review, I always make this perfectly clear at the start of the video. Here’s a video about my ethics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gV61oqyijamghZo CONTACTING ME FOR PRODUCT REVIEWS If you are a manufacturer, distributor or reseller and would like me to review your stuff, you can get in touch with me at the email below. If you expect a totally positive review just because you’ve given me something for free, don't waste your time as you’ll be sorely disappointed. If you expect me to pay for anything up front and then I recieve reimbursement after the review, again, don’t waste your time. If however you are someone looking for a proper, balanced, real world review. Then defo get in touch. If you need any further clarification on what I’m all about, here’s my ethics statement video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gV61oqyijamghZo Here’s my contact email: [e-mail] Here are some links to my website and other small websites where I group videos about certain products that I’m really into: DJI Pocket and Action stuff: www.DJIOsmoAction.com GoPro stuff: www.GoPro9.com My website which will probably always be a complete mess :) www.DavidHarry.com And most importantly: I’m David Harry, thank you very much for watching this video, take care and goodbye now. Cheers, Dave.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thumbs up for the accent. Info is also pretty great ;-)

[@DavidHarry]

Nice one Caleb. Thumbs up too for your accent :) Cheers, Dave.

[@lensmanonline]

Very well explained David, audio is something I'm still learning about so this has filled a few gaps Thanks Jon

[@DavidHarry]

Hi Jon. If you go through my microphone playlist, especially the earlier ones, there may be stuff in there that may help. I've also done some audio software stuff as well. Cheers, Dave.

[@430amtrader5]

You should do 20 more videos like this, with calming music, for trendy keywords, I think u ll get tons of views

[@Bob_C]

Howdy David. I bought one of those adapters to use with my Zoom H6, so I can plug in small condenser mics into the XLR ports and get the correct voltage (plug in power). I need to buy another one so I can use two mics. Thanks for the info.

[@DavidHarry]

Hi Bob. Yes, these are cool little adapters. I don't know if you've tried but certain mics will actually sound better being used with the VXLR+ compared to direct 3.5mm because the VXLR+ is capable of sending more voltage and current compared to the plugin power of most cameras and their 3.5mm mic input. Cheers, Dave.

[@danielbutyoucancallmedan8345]

That was explained very well with relevant examples of use. Thanks very much!

[@GuitarNTabs]

Hi! What's the difference between the VXLR+ and the VXLR Pro? There's a reasonable difference in price, between the two... Thanks.

[@DavidHarry]

The Pro is balanced, using an internal transformer. Cheers, Dave.

[@GuitarNTabs]

@@DavidHarry - That was fast, thank you, David! You're a real pal! So with both the VXLR Pro and VXLR+ I'll be able to hook up my VideoMic Pro+ as well as my Smartlav+? Also, does the phantom power need to be activated, on the audio interface's input? Thanks a ton!

[@DavidHarry]

Hi. I'm actually editing a KZbin video, that's why I was quick with the response, I'm never this quick usually :) Yes, you can use either with those mics or any other 3.5mm microphone. You won't need phantom power for the Pro+ because it's self powered, you will need phantom power for the Lav. Phantom power is needed by either of the VXLRs as they use that power to down convert to electret/plugin power, which is required for any unpowered ECM microphone, such as your Lav. If you are going straight into an audio interface or mixer that has XLR and phantom power, you only need the VXLR+ but if you are connecting to a long XLR cable then the Pro is best as it will be balanced back to the interface or mixer. Here's my RODE mics playlist, you may find something helpful in there kzbin.info/aero/PLleKChtNUwZSQyEXb-BbjGcUYUnlwOGxN I also have another channel that may have useful audio stuff but that has swearing in some of the videos, although there are notices for swearing for anyone who's offended by swearing kzbin.info/door/9t495lxVcDL38hbp5jWQ-wvideos Cheers, Dave.

[@GuitarNTabs]

@@DavidHarry - Excellent, that's great timing! Okay, thanks for clearing that up. So both the VideoMic Pro+ and the VideoMic won't need the phantom power engaged? But the Smartlav+ needs the phantom power. Aha, I see, and that makes sense, I just needed to understand. Excellent, I will get the VXLR+ then, and at the same time save some money!

[@MDC885]

RODE VXLR+ seems to be outta stock everywhere, can you recommend a substitute?

[@imranshareef4754]

Hello David, first of all thanks. This the only video available that explains the workings of the vxlr+ in such detail and easy to understand. I do have question from an audio engineer point of view. Can I use the rode wireless go, videomic or similar mics plugged into my audio mixer (ex: yamaha 10xu) for PA purposes ? Can I plug the mic into VXL instead and plug the VXL directly into one of the channels on my mixer without using 48v on the mixer.

[@DavidHarry]

Hi Imran. Unfortunately you can't use the VXLR+ to connect without phantom power because whatever mic is attached to the VXLR+ will need power. Cheers, dave.

[@imranshareef4754]

There is a straight vxlr version without the volt step down which may work. I will have to try that out and provide feedback. Basically, I am looking for a 2 in 1 A/V solution making use of rode or saramonic transmitters/receivers in both scenarios.

[@DavidHarry]

If it’s just an audio signal that’s already been powered and/or preamplified then the VXLR will be fine. However you could do that job with an unbalanced 3.5mm to XLR cable and not have any adaptors involved. Cheers, Dave.

[@seanwheeler5197]

Hey David, can I plug a gaming headset with a TRRS jack into this adapter?

[@DavidHarry]

Hi Sean. You can’t plug it straight in, you need a TRRS splitter so the mic and the headphones are separated, like how I split the TRRS cable in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKXTamSEotBgY9E Cheers, Dave.

[@Backstagesonoma]

what would you use to connect the Rode NTG 2 to Rode Go 2 to make the NTG a wireless mic?

[@DavidHarry]

A female XLR normalised to a male 3.5mm male jack will do it, or what I'm doing in these videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/npDLpGpmjdiirZo kzbin.info/www/bejne/b52yhHynjc6Zms0 Cheers, Dave.

[@wakeupandworkoutwithrachel5047]

Hi, Thanks for your tips. I work with a Rode Wireless Mic and am looking at getting a Roland Go Pro Mixer, would I need this adapter for it to work? Many Thanks

[@DAVISION-YT]

Hey David, another David here, isn't Plug In Power usually rated for 3V?! I'm confused because Deity has an Adapter of this Type and it is 3 V PIP.

[@DavidHarry]

Hi David. Plug-in power can range from around 2.5v up to about 7v. Any electret microphone will safely work within that voltage range and many will be slightly better for dynamic range and noise with the higher end of the voltage range. RODE’s voltage is a lot more useful compared to Deity’s if they’re only using 3v. Cheers, Dave.

[@devonbiker]

Very helpful video. Question? Would the VXLR+ still work if it was plugged into a standard XLR lead for extra reach? I have a Rode Lav+ and want to connect to the VXLR + on the belt of the talent and then run a XLR lead from the VXLR + into the mixer. Would it work? Thanks

[@Christopher-iq1fm]

is it safe to activate phantom power with a vxlr plus connection? in the description it says it is unbalance

[@francismachipisa5787]

Hey David, the video was very informative but I am still uncertain about some things. I recently got a Zoom Podtrak P4 mixer and 4 condenser mics with 3.5mm jacks (2 rings). I then got a normal 3.5mm to XLR adapter. but when I set them up all I get is extremely loud white noise. Is the VXLR+ the solution?

[@Eddylive]

So this would work for a gaming headset correct?

[@encapsulatio]

Is the XLR on the VXLR+ supposed to have one of the 3 legs slightly longer than the other two?

[@falothman]

Great, thank you David, So if I got the plus version I wouldn't need the non converting adapter as it can serve with self-powered and non powered mics . Planning to use it with Video Mic NTG with Motu 4 as the it is self powered and Motu 4 has a 48v on/off. Thoughts? thank you :)

[@DavidHarry]

Hi Fahad. You would be better off getting a high quality 3.5mm to XLR cable and connect the VideoMic NTG direct to your audio interface. You wouldn’t really get any benefit using the VXLR+ because you don’t require the phantom power to plug in electret voltage conversion. Don’t forget, unlike a Lavalier or something like a VideoMicro, the VideoMic NTG doesn’t use plugin power via its 3.5mm socket, it can only be powered by its own internal battery. In any event, just make sure that your audio interface isn’t sending phantom power through the XLR socket being used. You could also connect the VideoMic NTG with a 3.5mm to quarter inch cable to a quarter inch input on your audio interface, using XLR won’t improve the sound it’s just a more secure socket in this instance as the mic output isn’t balanced so you won’t get any benefit from a balanced XLR connection, plus you wouldn’t have to worry about any potential phantom power issues. Cheers, Dave.

[@tanpingaratan]

Whith this adapter, can i use a Sennheiser 908B ew wired on a mixer with 48V on?

[@RiffsRhythm]

Is there any way of using a microphone that needs phantom power straight into a camera? Rather than using the lav or rode video? Or is that overkill and the quality is just as good?

[@DavidHarry]

Yes, some cameras have XLRs built in and some can have an XLR adapter added. Here’s an example of a Sony add on XLR adapter for some of their cameras kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJO5YnlmdteBirM Cheers, Dave.

[@20centurymodern]

What if you are to use phantom power on your preamp device on the Lav Go how do you know what Voltage to set the phantom power as there are different settings such as 12v and 48v - if it doesn't require 48v would you do damage setting it to that?

[@magways4200]

i have a senheiser mk600 and wanna use directly to my sony a73. would this adapter works for me?

[@erikalmeida2215]

Hello David, Do you think this can be used to connect a GSP 300 headset microphone to a focusrite with phantom power? Thank you!

[@DavidHarry]

Hi Erik. Yes you could but you’d have to use a TRRS splitter to separate the mic and headphone and feed the mic into the VXLR+/Focusrite and the headphone could also go into the Focusrite. I’d guess that your mic and headphone quality would both be better via the Focusrite, so the messing about may well be worth it. You’d also have much finer and better control of your mic and headphone levels. I do something similar myself but with a separate boom mic and headset using the Behringer in this video and my mic and headphone quality are awesome. Cheers, Dave.

[@erikalmeida2215]

@@DavidHarry The mic is already separated into a mic and an audio jack so that should work fine right? Thank you so much man!

[@DavidHarry]

Sorry, I thought it was TRRS on the end, mixing the phones and mic. Then yes, it’s easier than I said, just use both the headphone and mic jacks on the Focusrite with the VXLR+ for the mic. Cheers, Dave.

[@erikalmeida2215]

@@DavidHarry Do you happen to know any other adapters that work the same way? The vxlr+ is sold out everywhere on the US apparently...

[@ceonach]

Excellent. Thanks.

[@DavidHarry]

You are welcome!

[@autobotsNdecepticons]

Any idea what will happen if you use this with a stereo mic like the Sony ECM-CS3?

[@matthiasstaber9216]

So if I understand you correctly, if I want to use two wireless GO systems to record two audio channels with my H4N, I will need the VXLR+

[@DAVISION-YT]

the VLXR+ isn't Stereo, and XLR isn't Stereo, to record two channels you need two XLR Cables and maybe two Adapters. But you also don't need a Phantom Power Adapter for the Wireless GO, it works fine with a stupid XLR to 3,5mm Adapter because it has it's own battery and doesn't need plug in power.

[@freyafrei8330]

I think this might be exactly what I'm looking for. Do you know if this will work with a binaural mic like the Roland CS-10EM? Or will be XLR adapter only carry mono audio?

[@DavidHarry]

It’s only mono.

[@freyafrei8330]

@@DavidHarry Thank you for your response! Would've been a mistake of a purchase then.

[@ZylonFPV]

this was very helpful :) Thanks.

[@DavidHarry]

Glad it was helpful! Cheers, dave.

[@ZylonFPV]

David Harry yup! I ordered one after this video, it’s what I’ve been looking for 😀

[@user-bi3wp1ct1q]

Great video, very helpful, thank you. If I want to connect a Rode NTG5 to a Rode Wireless Go Transmitter what connector would I need? And if I want to connect a Rode Wireless Go Receiver to a Zoom recorder what connector would I need please?

[@arthur7295]

Same questions, did you find right solution?

[@ThorenTravels]

awwright

[@DavidHarry]

:)

[@carlosmjr7920]

Sou brasileiro e não entendo porra nenhuma kkkkkkkkkk e não sei pq me deu vontade de escrever isso