newbie question-cables for live micing a guitar cab..

[MikeJ]

Dumb ass question but here it is.
Live micing a guitar cab with a Shure SM57 into a Soundcraft Compact mixer:

Is the reason I have to crank the gain levels so high to get any decent signal because the cable running from the mic to the mixer is using a 1/4 inch jack plugging into the mixer.

Would using an XLR cable instead remedy this?

Help appreciated.
Cheers,
Mike.

[jdaug]

mic cables come in XLR/quarter inch and XLR/XLR. As long as its a mic cable, both should be OK in terms of volume, although the XLR/XLR is probably better quality. you may need to turn up the trim or gain on your mixer, or use 48v phantom power on your mixer if your mic requires it.

[String7th]

Originally Posted by MikeJ

Dumb ass question but here it is.

There are no dumb questions, just dumb people.
j/k

Sounds like the cable you are using is a high-Z (or Low-Z, I forget), either way, it's not a normal mic cable, it's an instrument cable with an XLR fml jack.
Try switching to a standard XLR-XLR cable. Don't use phantom on a SM57, it doesn't require it, and could damage the mic. You can also try to pump it up with one of those ART pre-amps for $30

Still crappy???? Check to see if the plug you are using is underpowered. old building? Faulty wiring? Try another plug in the room. Get a power conditioner for drastic power regulating improvements!