STUSBXLR10 LightSnake USB Microphone cable

The LightSnake USB to XLR cable comes packed in with drivers and a demo disc. I didn't need the drivers for my 64-bit Vista system: Windows recognized and installed the drivers without it. Vista had no trouble recognizing the mic in Sound options.I connected the cable to my Shure SM-58, and the recording quality was satisfactory for amateur music recording. It does seem to be a little quiet for recording, but I was happy with it.I also tried plugging the same microphone with the LightSnake into my PS3 to see if it worked with Rock Band 2. The Playstation recognized that a microphone was plugged in, and the combination worked better in the game than the stock microphone. It is much more responsive and accurate, but this is probably due to the SM-58 while the LightSnake is the medium to accomplish this.

I'm been trying to create computer files of spoken announcements that will at least rival those picked up by the high-end mics (Shure SM7UB) at the radio station. Like many audiophiles, I assumed it would require a condenser mic for its fabled superior frequency range along with a pre-amp for phantom power and a pop filter to handle the sibilants and explosives. I started with Blue mics, then tried Behringer, Cad, and several others, with mostly disappointing results. Then I realized that the expensive Shure mics at the studio are dynamic, not condenser, mics and that the most popular mic among all musicians is also a Shure dynamic mic--the Shure SM58 (or SM57, for musical instruments).Initial results with the LightSnake used in tandem with the SM58, a combination allowing me to convert the XLR connector of the SM58 to a USB connector, are encouraging. The volume, as others have pointed out, is a bit soft, but an inexpensive A.R.T. preamp gave me all the gain I could ask for, providing phantom power should I go back to a condenser mic. To my ears the sounds approach the baritone richness of the Shure SM7B, but I won't know for certain until I get the verdict from the station manager (some of my experiments have resulted in hum or noise that wasn't clear on my end but, after sending it to the radio station, proved to be a problem for air-time use).The cost may seem a bit high for a cable, but not if it can produce the sounds claimed on behalf of all those mics I had to return. Moreover, it's no ordinary cable. As the name implies, this snake lights up (on both ends) when its fangs strike a profitable vein. Also, if you're a PC person, it comes with Sony demo software; if you're a Mac person, it comes with instructions for use with Garage Band.Just because Digital Audio Workstations and USB connections are now all the rage doesn't mean that you have to trash all your old band mics. If they sounded good with your Fender amp or Peavey P.A., they should sound just as good with your computer. But you'll need a conversion cable like this LightSnake to find out whether the trusty old equipment is up to the requirements of the new recording technologies.

All my recordings have a snowy noise in them. I contacted the manufacuturer and was told "Its unfortunately the nature of the beast". If you own an XLR microphone, you care too much about the sound for this cable to be good enough for you. I returned mine.

Some liar on here sold me on this. He had to be lying because this only works with a driver that is not found by rock band 2. This product may work fine with basic audio computer stuff, but DO NOT BUY for Rock band 2.

I was really impressed with this product when I got it. The quality is so much better than I expected. This is not the type of cable that will easily break. It is plug and play for Mac, and has a CD for Windows-based machines.Unfortunately, when I use it with my Mac, I get some serious buzz in the background - so much so that I stopped recording with it. I am not sure what the problem is, but the buzz is loud enough to be annoying.Good quality cable if you want to give it a shot. The buzz could be how it talks to my computer and you may not have the same problem. It could also be my mic.

I have a Nady StarPower 1 dynamic mic and had not been able to use it for Rock Band on my 360; I tried another XLR-to-USB product and it did not work. I suspect the lack of phantom power is what makes this work with both Rock Band and Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore (although it doesn't work that well with the latter; I suspect that's by the programmers' design).The LightSnake works very well: the lights are particularly helpful when I build up a little static and touch the mic. If the lights go out, I unplug it and plug it back in, and we're back in business - you know exactly when it's working and when it's not.

Connects to any non phantom powered XLR Microphone, I used it with a shure Beta 58. Works flawlessly with OSX and Windows XP just plug and play.Overall just needed to get sound into the computer without a lot of adaptors and extra cables while looking professional. On a side note seemed to work good with Rock Band on the XBOX360. Green LED flashes with a connection and as it is receiving sound. Seemed like it would be annoying at first but as we used it we got used to it and others reported it was a pretty cool effect. You know it is working!Only thing that was a little odd is the cable, it is like a vintage tweed...that they slipped into a clear poly tube. Well at least it is water and beer proof in the middle even if the mic and the computer is not. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is for the non pro cable and the talkback light - it would be nice to have a button to enable or disable this.All in all, it gets the job done, works and sounds good and has excellent ease of use for a great price.

This cable makes quick connects to my pc or laptop fast and easy. I've had it several years and haven't had any issues with it.